Do you know when the National Day of Lebanon is? Or Vietnam? Or Russia? Or Romania?
No?
It is estimated that 70 million global citizens claim Irish heritage and most of those, whatever corner of the Globe they inhabit, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The esteem in which we Irish are generally held is further heightened by the global goodwill turned towards on our national feast day. It is essential that we as a Government capitalize on this opportunity and so, this year, Irish Government Ministers travelled to places as far flung as the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada and Japan, participating in more than 80 high-level political meetings, engaging in over 100 business events and supporting cultural, networking and Irish community events throughout the St. Patrick’s Day period.
From the London Eye to Egypt, from the Pyramids to Petra iconic landmarks were “greened” to celebrate.
I travelled to Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing for the St. Patrick’s Day period, participating in 25 events over 8 days in 3 cities. Priorities for Ireland are the Tourism, Culture, Agriculture, Education, Financial Services and Science & Technology sectors. Thus, my programme included events designed to encourage business opportunities in these areas.
The verdant highlight from my own trip was the “greening” for the first time, of the Great Wall of China, henceforth to be known around here as the Green Wall of China!
In Shanghai, I attended and spoke at a number of engagements aimed at promoting Ireland, from a Bord Bia-organised showcase of Irish seafood to a networking dinner to increase the profile of Ireland’s capacity in the technology sector, as well as visiting Fudan University School of Computer Science, presenting the “i-Shamrock” Software Award to students.
The main focus of the visit to Hong Kong was on connecting with the estimated 3,000 strong Irish community in the city, in light of the Government’s recent decision to open a career Consulate General in 2014. While there, I met the Irish Chamber of Commerce, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, spoke at the GAA Ladies All-Stars Exhibition Game, which took place under lights at Hong Kong Football club and spoke at the St Patrick’s Society Ball which drew an attendance of some 450.
In Beijing, I met with both the outgoing and incoming Ambassadors of China to Ireland, Luo Linquan and Xu Jianguo, I spoke at the Embassy’s St Patrick’s Day reception and several other events including the China Ireland Research event.
In order to build on the relationship between China Investment Corporation (CIC) – the fifth largest investment fund in the world – and the NTMA/ NPRF, I met with their most senior management discussing potential for investment in Ireland
Of course, one of Ireland’s unique selling points is our rich cultural heritage. According to Fáilte Ireland every 1,000 additional tourists support 15 jobs in that sector. Culture is an asset and so I participated in a series of cultural events, including attending a sell-out concert by Altan in the large Forbidden City Concert Hall (supported by Culture Ireland and the State Agencies in China). I opened an exhibition of works by Irish artists Fion Gunn, Niamh Cunningham and Sean Campbell at the China Central Mall (also funded by Culture Ireland) and visited a continuing exhibition by Chinese and Irish artists at the 798 Art City in Beijing.
Throughout the visit, I undertook media opportunities aimed at actively promoting the story of Ireland’s recovery, giving an extensive interview to Caixin, China’s foremost business and finance weekly magazine, as well as to the flagship interview platform with Hong Kong based Phoenix TV channel, which reaches some 200 million Chinese viewers.
My Op-Ed piece carried in the South China Morning Post, the largest circulation independent English-language daily consulted for its coverage of China, on 14 March 2014 and my interview ran on 15 March. Links to both are below and a selection photos are here
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1449637/ireland-set-open-first-consulate-hong-kong
The Government’s Promote Ireland Programme is all about showcasing the very best of Ireland because sometimes we need to be reminded – and the World needs to be reminded – of how much we have going for us. #IrelandInspires
Brendan Howlin, TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

