Romani people in Ireland

The number of Romani people in Ireland (Irish: Lucht Romanaí in Éirinn) is roughly estimated, as the Central Statistics Office collects its data based on nationality and not ethnic origin. For this reason a precise demographic profile of the Romani people in Ireland is not available. Some estimates Ireland give the population at 1,700 in 2004, rising to between 2,500 and 3,000 in 2005. The Romani people first migrated from South Asia in the 5th or 6th century. They are believed to have first arrived in Europe in the 9th century. They arrived via the Balkans of southeastern Europe, and their presence continues to be centralised within this region to this day. The first Romani people arrived in Ireland in the 16th century, although they are not believed to have established a permanent residence. There are records of Romani people residing in Ireland since the 19th century. However, the majority of the Romani population in Ireland today derive from recent migrations, primarily from Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia and Italy.