Andy Pollak facts for kids
Andy Pollak is a journalist, writer, and editor who helps people understand each other across different parts of Ireland. He used to lead an organization called the Centre for Cross Border Studies. He also helped guide the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
Early Life and Learning
Andy Pollak was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, but he mostly grew up in London. His father was from Czechoslovakia and worked as an editor. In 1948, his father had to leave his home country because of a big political change. Andy's father wrote a book in 1951 about his exciting life. It told how he was hurt fighting in the Spanish Civil War in 1937. It also shared stories of his adventures and time in prison in places like the Balkans and India. Andy's mother, Eileen Gaston, was from Ballymena. She went to Prague to teach English after World War II. Andy studied history and earned his degree from the University of Sussex in 1969.
His Work and Career
After finishing college, Andy Pollak traveled and worked in several countries. These included England, France, Canada, and countries in Latin America. He came back to Ireland in 1972. He worked for a magazine called Hibernia and then as a sub-editor for The Irish Times newspaper. He continued his work as a journalist in Dublin, London, and Mexico City.
In Belfast, he worked for BBC Northern Ireland as a reporter from 1978 to 1980. He was also a reporter for The Irish Times from 1981 to 1985. During this time, he was also the editor of a cultural and political magazine called Fortnight. In 1986, he helped write a book about a political leader named Rev. Ian Paisley.
From 1992 to 1993, Andy helped organize the Opsahl Commission. This was a special group that listened to people's ideas about how to make things better in Northern Ireland.
He was the first director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies. This organization had offices in Armagh and Dublin and he led it from 1999 to 2013. Before that, he worked for The Irish Times in Dublin from 1986 to 1999. He covered news, religious topics, and education. He also helped manage the news desk. Today, he writes for other newspapers like the Irish Independent and the Belfast Newsletter. He also writes for The Belfast Telegraph and the Dublin Review of Books.
While he was director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, he also edited a special magazine. It was called the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland. He also helped lead groups that connected universities and teacher training colleges across Ireland. From 2014 to 2020, he was on the board of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. This center works to build peace. From 2016 to 2023, he was on the board of Places of Sanctuary Ireland. This group helps welcome and support refugees and other people new to Ireland.
Andy also writes a blog called "2 Irelands Together." In his blog, he shares his thoughts on issues in Northern Ireland and how different parts of Ireland work together.
Books He Has Written
In 2019, Andy Pollak co-wrote a book with Seamus Mallon. Seamus Mallon was a former political leader in Northern Ireland. The book was called 'Seamus Mallon: A Shared Home Place'.
His Family Life
Andy Pollak is married to Doireann Ní Bhriain. She works in radio, helps people with their voices, and leads a theater company. She also presented the Eurovision song contest in 1981. Andy and Doireann have two daughters. Sorcha Pollak is a journalist for The Irish Times and wrote a book about new immigrants to Ireland. Her book is called New to the Parish. Their other daughter, Grainne Pollak, helps manage projects that make working conditions safer for artists in Ireland.
Andy Pollak is also a member of the managing committee for the Unitarian Church in Dublin.
