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Essential Practice Point 1
There has been a Hindu community in Ireland since the 1980s. Census 2006 indicates that the number of Hindus increased by just over 96% between 2002 and 2006. Hindu contacts indicate the number of followers in Ireland is higher than the Census figure of 6,082.
The main Irish Hindu community is of Indian ethnic origin, the main grouping is from the Indian sub-continent with others from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines and from South Africa. The main communities in Ireland are in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick with some in other urban centres.
There are also ethnic Irish Hindu followers, some of whom are married to people of Indian ethnicity and who follow the religion, and others who are part of groups such as the Hare Krishna movement.
Cultural norms in India have implications for how Hindus of Indian origin behave. As this is the dominant group in the Hindu community these norms are discussed in the material below.
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At present most worship is conducted in the home or at private facilities. There is a Hindu Cultural Centre Ireland organisation but there is no formal place of worship as of now, and there are plans to build a Hindu Temple in the environs of Dublin.
