Community Message – St Patrick’s Day 2024
Community Message – St Patrick’s Day 2024
A chairde, dear friends,
From myself, my husband Ton, and all the team here at the Consulate, I want to wish you good health and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon. I would like to thank all of the Consulate’s partners, stakeholders and friends for your engagement and support as I have settled into this role over the last six months. Since my last message it has been a busy few months. Some highlights include:
- I was delighted to attend a wonderful performance of Brian Friel’s “Faith Healer” by Theatre du Pif at the HK Cultural Centre in January.
- I was also very pleased to support Team Ireland colleagues from Bord Bia when they visited Hong Kong to help promote John Stone Irish beef. The promotion of Irish beef and whiskey in Hong Kong is one of their 2024 priorities and I look forward to continuing to support their efforts throughout the year.
- We had the honour of welcoming Ambassador Ann Derwin to Hong Kong towards the end of January. Some of her programme highlights included a celebration of St. Brigid’s Day to mark the achievements and creativity of women; a visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum and meeting with Director Louis Ng; and cutting the ribbon at the Ireland stand at the HKTDC Education and Careers Expo 2024.
- I was pleased to visit Shanghai to see the new Ireland House premises there, to engage with Consul General Wendy Dorman-Smith and her team, and to have meetings with Team Ireland colleagues in the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia.
- In February I attended an EU event marking two years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ireland and the EU are committed to continuing our support for Ukraine for as long as it takes.
- The Consulate had a Lion Dance in the office to bring luck and prosperity for the year of the Dragon.
- I had a good meeting with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki SBS IDSM JP, to discuss a wide range of topics around the Ireland-Hong Kong relationship.
I am really looking forward to my first St. Patrick’s Day in Hong Kong, particularly as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate. I am delighted to see such a rich and vibrant programme of events lined up, which you can browse below. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved in organising the celebrations, including and especially our hardworking Irish community groups – the St. Patrick’s Society, the Irish Chamber of Commerce and the GAA. I encourage everyone to participate and engage with the St. Patrick’s Day events below. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all things Irish in Hong Kong!
9 March – St. Patrick’s Society Emerald Gala Ball
13 March – Happy Valley Goes Green – Ireland Trophy Race Night
16 March – Jim Stynes Cup – 10:00 – 13:00 at Happy Valley Recreation Ground
16 March – Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph
16 March – St. Patrick’s Celebration Mass
16-17 March – Irish Fest Hong Kong
This St. Patrick’s Day we are looking forward to welcoming Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, for a short but valuable programme of events. The visit will be an important opportunity to continue to strengthen the Ireland-Hong Kong relationship, particularly in the context of the Government of Ireland’s updated Strategy for the Asia Pacific to 2025.
Following on from St. Patrick’s Day, the Consulate is also supporting a range of cultural programming in celebration of our 10 year anniversary!
March 4-10 – Hong Kong International Literary Festival
With sponsorship from the Consulate, the Young Adult Irish author Siobhan McDermott will be participating in the HKILF Young Readers Festival 2024, School Programme, with the Consulate’s support. The Young Reader’s Festival connects schools to local and international “kidlit” stars and experts in order to nurture literacy in schools and to give students authentic experiences that are inspiring, relevant, culturally rewarding, and joyful.
March 23-31 – HK Walls
The Consulate is proud to support the HK Walls 2024, a street art festival that welcomes international and local artists to paint large murals all across the vibrant streets of Hong Kong. We are delighted that internationally renowned Irish artist “Aches” will be coming to Hong Kong to participate. You can read more about it here: ACHES 2024 - HKwalls.org
March 28 – April 8 Hong Kong International Film Festival - HKIFF
The Consulate is delighted to be sponsoring the participation of Martin McDonagh in the HKIFF this year. The programme will feature a retrospective of his films and a masterclass with the British-Irish writer and director. Not to be missed!
March 28-30 - Art Basel, Hong Kong
This year’s HK Art Basel will see attendance from two Irish art galleries, supported by Culture Ireland funding: Mother’s Tankstation and the Kerlin Gallery.
To stay up to date with all the events and how you can attend and support, please continue to follow us @IrelandinHK across Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.
Since January, we have experienced a high number of Consular queries and requests for citizen’s services. As always, the easiest and quickest way to contact us is through the website or by emailing us at hongkong@dfa.ie.
Let me sign off by wishing you a happy St Patricks Day! 聖博德日快樂! Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!
Jennifer Bourke
Consul General of Ireland to Hong Kong and Macao