St. Patrick's Day 2024
We had the privilege of welcoming Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Martin Heydon T.D., to Frankfurt last month as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to Germany.
The Minister first attended a special performance as Gaeilge at the European School Frankfurt, where he had the opportunity to meet with Irish teachers, parents and students, who do so much to foster a sense of Irish identity amongst second-generation Irish here in Germany.
He then met with representatives from German-Irish community organisations, which gave him a chance to learn more about their ongoing service to citizens and the key role they play in strengthening bilateral relations between Ireland and Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
Minister Heydon then had further meetings with Enterprise Ireland client companies with an expanding and diversifying presence in and around Frankfurt, including those from the high-tech construction and FinTech sectors.
The Minister’s visit concluded with the Consulate’s St. Patrick’s Day Reception. When addressing attendees, he stressed strong political ties between Ireland and this part of Germany, reflected in Hesse’s State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs and Bureaucracy Reduction, Ms. Karin Müller, and Deputy Mayor of Frankfurt, Ms. Eileen O’Sullivan’s participation in the reception.
Further to Minister Martin Heydon T.D.’s visit, the Consulate had the pleasure of supporting three performances by Musici Ireland over St. Patrick's Day weekend in Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium, as part of the Zeitgeist Irland 24 season. We wish to thank Musici Ireland’s Director Ms. Beth McNinch and the other artists, as well as Ms. Rachelle Hunt and Ms. Caroline Schneider from Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium for the excellent cooperation.
On Friday 15 March, the Consulate delivered a presentation on its work to members of the FrankfurtRheinMain branch of BVMW - Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e.V. at their St. Patrick’s Day English Business Exchange event. Many thanks to branch leader, Ms. Cornelia Gärtner, for providing the Consulate with this chance to engage with local Mittelstand representatives.
On Saturday 16 March, the Consulate attended the "greening" of the Brothers Grimm Monument in Hanau, Hesse. This visit provided an opportunity for a useful exchange with Head of the City Council, Ms. Beate Funck and the Head of the City Government's Cultural Department, Mr. Martin Hoppe, and the Consulate wishes to thank them both for their hospitality.
On Sunday 17 March, the Consulate then attended the "greenings" of Höchst Castle and Keltenwelt Am Glauberg, Hesse, which are home to the Germany Rose Centre and important archaeological state museum respectively. Thank you to Mr. Carsten Sass and Ms. Melanie Sass from the centre in Höchst and Museum Director, Mr. Marcus Coesfeld and his colleague, Mr. Lars Corsmeyer, for the invitations and your work supporting people-to-people and historical ties between our countries.
Later that day, the Consulate supported Irish contemporary dance group, United Fall's Zeitgeist Irland 24 Performance of BIRDBOY at Staatstheater Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate. We very much look forward to further Zeitgeist Irland 24 performances in the theatre next month, and wish to thank the theatre's CEO, Mr. Markus Müller and tanzmainz Director, Mr. Honne Dohrmann, for his attendance and giving Irish artists such a great platform.
Finally on Monday 18 March, the Consulate participated in Eintracht Frankfurt GAA's St. Patrick’s Day visit to the European School RheinMain (ESRM), which gave around 80 students an opportunity to play Gaelic football. Many thanks to the Director, Mr. Tom Zijlstra, the Head of Primary at the school, Mr. Marcus Adams, and their colleagues for welcoming us to your school, as well as the coaches for all you do to promote Gaelic games in the heart of Europe!