Andy Pollak facts for kids
Andy Pollak is a journalist and writer from Ireland. He is known for his work on helping people from different parts of Ireland work together. He used to lead the Centre for Cross Border Studies and was on the board of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, which helps build peace.
Early Life and Learning
Andy Pollak was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, in Northern Ireland. He grew up mostly in London, England. His father was from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). He had to leave his home country in 1948 because of political changes. Andy's father wrote a book about his exciting life and escape. Andy's mother, Eileen Gaston, was also from Ballymena. She taught English in Prague after World War II. Andy studied history at the University of Sussex and graduated in 1969.
His Work
After finishing university, Andy Pollak traveled and worked in different countries like England, France, Canada, and Latin America. In 1972, he came back to Ireland. He worked for Hibernia magazine and then as an editor for The Irish Times.
He continued his journalism career in Dublin, London, and Mexico City. In Belfast, he worked as a reporter for BBC Northern Ireland 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 Fortnight, a magazine about culture and politics in Belfast. In 1986, he helped write a book about a political leader named Rev. Ian Paisley.
From 1992 to 1993, Andy helped lead the Opsahl Commission. This group was an independent "citizens' inquiry" that looked for ways to bring peace and progress to Northern Ireland.
Andy was the first director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies. This organization has offices in Armagh and Dublin and works to improve cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He led this centre from 1999 to 2013. Before that, he worked for The Irish Times from 1986 to 1999. He wrote about many topics, including religion and education. He also helps write for other newspapers like the Irish Independent, Belfast Newsletter, and The Belfast Telegraph.
While leading the Centre for Cross Border Studies, he also edited a journal about cross-border studies in Ireland. He was also involved with Universities Ireland, a group for university leaders across the island. From 2014 to 2020, he was on the board of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. This centre helps people work towards 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 the two parts of Ireland can work together.
His Books
In 2019, Andy Pollak co-wrote a book with Seamus Mallon. Seamus Mallon was a well-known politician in Northern Ireland. The book is called Seamus Mallon: A Shared Home Place.
Family Life
Andy Pollak is married to Doireann Ní Bhriain. She is a radio producer and presenter. They have two daughters. Sorcha Pollak is a journalist for The Irish Times and has written a book about new immigrants to Ireland. Grainne Pollak works on a project called Safe to Create, which aims to make working conditions safer for people in the arts in Ireland.
Andy Pollak is also a member of the managing committee for the Unitarian Church in Dublin.
