The legacy of the Brazilians in Gort.

Benedict XVI · 26-05-2026 08:36AM #1

I just saw a piece on RTE Archives site about Brazilians in Gort 20 years ago.

And it made me curious as to what there impact, if any over the past 20 years.

I used to live in the area at the time and I remember lots of them in the area and plenty of cases of Brazilian people being used as casual labour painting Celtic Tiger era houses or picking stones in soon to be sown Celtic Tiger era lawns.

But did they have a lasting impact.

The kids that were born there or came over young would be grown up at this stage, are many living locally, or did they move back once the money was saved?

I'm guessing the 2008 crash had an impact.

With the motorway now I don't get into the town of Gort at all so I don't know if it still has the visible Brazilian influence it had back then.

By the way I don't want this to be some immigration thread although it feel it could end up that way, I just want to know if the Brazilians stayed I suppose.

https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1665-immigration/370200-little-brazil-in-gort-co-galway/

adaminho · 26-05-2026 08:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058439138/the-legacy-of-the-brazilians-in-gort

I remember there still being some there around the early 2010's when I had to do some work in the area. I would say there were some who married locally or had kids there that stayed. Similar situation happened in Limerick around 2000 when Dell brought workers in from Scotland and Spain. There are still several of each that live here and even some that moved back with partners and kids. I wonder is there a few Galway jerseys knocking around Rio and Sao Paulo? Could be a few Paudie De Souza's or Joao Joyces playing for Brazil soon?

Benedict XVI · 26-05-2026 09:46AM

I had a look at Street View and I looked at Crowe St which is the road in from Galway where I recall seeing the most visible signs of the Brazilians.

In 2009 there were three Brazilian shops on that street, by 2025 there was one.

But since there was still one there must still be Brazilian people around.

kabakuyu · 26-05-2026 12:07PM

Loads Of Brazilians still in Gort and many in Galway as well,my Brazilian painter is married to a local girl and doing very well,4 vans on road and employing 7 or 8.Very nice and obliging chap as well.

xckjoo · 26-05-2026 02:57PM

Ya there's loads in Galway and the surrounds. Maybe the numbers dipped for a while but there seems to have been a resurgence in recent years. Feels like every house painter I see these days is Brazilian 😀

Lovely people generally

MarkR · 26-05-2026 03:04PM

What's the local soccer like? :-D

beardybrewer · 26-05-2026 06:13PM

From my recollection, a meat packing plant was the main reason there was such high immigration at the time. So it could be that there was a dip when the factory closed, as folks either moved or returned home.

dmcdona · 26-05-2026 11:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124501687#Comment_124501687

I recall that too.

Four Brazilian lads in a barbers here in Galway. Very personable and I have great chats with them. Gentlemen. Not bad barbers either.

kabakuyu · 26-05-2026 11:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124501687#Comment_124501687

The meat factory( Duffys)burned down in 2004,former employees including thr Brazilians had to find other employment.

AyeGer · 27-05-2026 12:04AM

I remember Brazilians working in the town I grew up in in a pub cheering against Ireland in World Cup 2002. I remember being surprised by that because I always found them friendly.

Wompa1 · 28-05-2026 11:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124502446#Comment_124502446

That is a bit odd. My Brazilian barber doesn't seem to know much about League of Ireland or Irish players in general and seems to have a hard on for La Liga so maybe its just some historical connection or image oriented thing that makes them think Spain is the bee's knees.

Fitz* · 31-05-2026 09:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124501110#Comment_124501110

Few Brazilians playing for nearby Colga who won the Galway Premier Division this year, unbeaten.

MattressRick · 31-05-2026 11:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124501110#Comment_124501110

Hadn't they a Samba Celtic club in the mid noughties?

Paddico · 16-06-2026 02:26PM

Anyone know if there is a Brazilian butchers around, they do seriously nice sausages?

Mrs OBumble · 16-06-2026 07:25PM

I was in Gort 2 weekends ago. The same Brazilian shop and money transfer shop at the north end that I remember from before Brazza Pizza in Market Square. Brazilian dishes on the menu in one of the cafes with a very English-looking name (cakes and something?). Lots of Brazilian staff, too.

The South American community in Galway overall has increased a lot, as people find ways to use their EU passports via Italian grandparents etc.

Galwayguy35 · 19-06-2026 09:10PM

A lot of them came to Gort to work in Duffys, don't know how many are still living in Gort but a good few are living in Loughrea and Ballinasloe.

The legacy of the Brazilians in Gort.

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