Irish Palatinate history: exhibition opens in Kaiserslautern!

Irish Palatinate history: exhibition opens in Kaiserslautern!

On September 23, 2025, the exciting exhibition “The Irish Palatinate History” opened in the Kaiserslautern town hall foyer. With this event, Mayor Beate Kimmel and Irish Consul General Anne-Marie Flynn enabled an impressive look back at the historical connections between Ireland and the Palatinate. At the opening, which was accompanied by musical accompaniment from the trio “Piper’s Call” (mandolin, banjo and bagpipes), around 30 citizens also gathered together with the Irish Deputy Consul General Aaron Reen and Prof. Jürgen Hardeck, State Secretary in the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The exhibition will be open to the public in the foyer of the town hall until September 26, 2025. With a total of 20 roll-ups, designed in both German and English, the traveling exhibition provides fascinating insights into the experiences of around 3,000 people from Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg who fled to Ireland in 1709 due to war and famine. This emigration led to the establishment of Palatine settlements in the Irish counties of Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford.

Historical roots and integration

At the opening, Mayor Kimmel emphasized the importance of community and hospitality. Consul General Flynn highlighted how well the descendants of emigrants are integrated into Irish society and that they actively contribute to Ireland's cultural life. This integration can be seen, among other things, in the last names of today's generations, including Cave, Crowe, Heck, Ross, Switzer, Wolf and Young.

The exhibition not only represents the history of the “Irish Palatinate”, but also the deep connections between the two regions, which was realized through the collaboration of the Irish Consulate General in Frankfurt with archives in Germany and Ireland. The project received special recognition from many committed people and institutions who contributed to the success of the exhibition, including the Irish Palatines Association and the University of Heidelberg.

A look into the future

Visitors have the opportunity to experience this impressive history in Kaiserslautern until September 30, 2025. This exhibition not only commemorates the past, but also builds a bridge between cultures, promoting understanding and friendship between Ireland and the Palatinate. Anyone who is interested is invited to visit the exhibition and be inspired by the history of the Irish Palatinate.

Those involved in the project cordially invite you to get to know this piece of history and discover the lasting connections between Ireland and the Palatinate. Further information about the exhibition can be found on the website of Kaiserslautern, Meeting point Palatinate and Ireland.ie.