A Latvian society, the goal of which will be to maintain and develop Latvian ethnic identity and cultural heritage, has been formed in Ireland, according to the Internet portal Delfi.

The society was founded in May. The first meeting was attended by 12 people as well as Latvia’s ambassador to Ireland, Indulis Ābelis. The embassy in Dublin has been instrumental in organizing Latvian social and cultural life, most recently encouraging the founding of a Latvian school.

An embassy official told Latvians Online in May that an estimated 20,000 Latvians live in Ireland. Many have come in recent years in search of work.

The Latvian Society in Ireland (Latviešu Biedrība Īrijā, or LBĪ) will be led by Elēna Kargina, Jānis Kargins and Ilze Torpa-Adebayo. Monthly meetings are planned at Luther House, 24 Adelaide Road, Dublin. For further information about the society, e-mail Jānis Kargins.