2024 New Year's Edition - Embassy Newsletter
Dear Irish community, friends of Ireland, A chairde,
Welcome to the New Year edition of our Embassy newsletter. While it now seems like a distant memory, I hope that you got to enjoy a break over the festive season. If it isn’t too late, allow me to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year.
It has been a busy and productive few months since our autumn issue in early November. We had a visit by the Minister for Public Expenditure and President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe T.D., paid working visits to eastern Slovakia and continued to promote Ireland’s values, interests and culture. In the following pages, you will find a selection of photographs highlighting just some of our activities and initiatives.
The keynote event over the past few months was undoubtedly the Embassy’s Christmas community reception in the beautiful and historic Primate’s Palace. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, including the youngest members of our community.
In this edition, there are articles by, among others, our Deputy Head of Mission and Consul, Janet O’Sullivan and our Policy and Public Outreach Officer, Ivana Pangracova, both of whom are leaving us shortly. Shane Bisset has more information about the newly established ‘Irish Network’ and, of course, our newsletter would not be complete without an update from the Slovak Shamrocks. Please do let us know if you would like to contribute an article or share a message and we will gladly arrange to have it included in our next issue.
And that brings me to the next big event for your diaries. With Saint Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, the Embassy’s reception will be held on the evening of Thursday, 14 March in – to give it its full title - the Historical Building of the Slovak National Council on Župné Námestie, just across the road from Saint Michael’s Gate. We are very honoured to have the Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell T.D. who will represent the Government and deliver the main address. You may have already seen our “save the date” message. Invitations will issue by email in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you there for what I am sure will be an enjoyable evening, celebrating all things Irish.
If you know of anyone who has recently arrived in Slovakia and who you think would be interested in being on our circulation list, please encourage them to contact us at bratislava@dfa.ie
For news and updates, the Embassy’s twitter account @IrlEmbSlovakia remains your chief source of information together with our Facebook at this LINK. You can also check out my twitter account - @IEAmbBratislava (LINK)
As always, we warmly welcome your feedback and suggestions as we work to improve our service and outreach to you. Please send any comments or ideas to Bratislava@dfa.ie
We would be delighted to hear from you!
With best wishes, le gach dea-ghuí.
Dermot McGauran
Ambassador of Ireland
Strengthening relations in Eastern Slovakia
Visit to BARDEJOV
In November, Ambassador McGauran followed up on a long-standing invitation to visit the UNESCO world heritage town of Bardejov. With Mayor Hanuščak and his team, we explored areas where we can step up our cooperation. The Ambassador and Mayor planted an Irish oak as a mark of the friendship between Ireland and Bardejov. We hope to see it - and our relations - flourishing in the years ahead.
City of PREŠOV
The Irish fag flew over the municipal office in city of Prešov where Mayor František Oľha gave us a warm welcome. Ambassador McGauran and the Mayor had a very interesting exchange on a host of issues including housing, urban transport and the remarkable solidarity shown towards Ukrainians seeking safety in this fine city.
Celtic Christmas at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University
We were delighted to support our friends at the Faculty of Arts in Comenius University who held an Irish-themed take on Christmas and time-honoured traditions marking the festive season.
Irish community Christmas celebration
Coming together as a community is always special, all the more so in the lead-up to Christmas.
On 12 December, we hosted you, our friends, in the historic Primate’s Palace. It was a wonderful occasion to mingle, compare notes and make new connections. A particular delight was welcoming the youngest members of our community. We hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Stop the violence against women campaign
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and in the company of President Zuzana Čaputová, the Embassy joined some 40 diplomatic missions, prominent NGOs and key activists in Slovakia to make our voice heard. Ireland is strongly committed to combatting gender-based violence.
Human Rights Forum
Ambassador McGauran was back again this year in Banska Bystrica to attend the annual gathering of civil society actors in Slovakia.
They are an essential and valued part of democratic life. We will continue to support civil society in any way we can.
75th Anniversary of UN Declaration of Human Rights
This year, on 10th December we marked 75th Anniversary since addoption of Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.
Watch 5 Pledges of Ireland video HERE
Roma Spirit Awards 2023
Roma Spirit has been successfully promoting and recognizing positive role models within the Roma community in Slovakia for the last 15 years. The Embassy team was honoured to attend the recent award ceremony in December.
Foto by ©ACEC & Embassy of Ireland
Important delegation at the Embassy
The Embassy welcomed 10 secondary school pupils from the Gymnázium Bilíkova in November just ahead of their exchange visit to a school in Wexford. These enthusiastic young people had lots of questions about Ireland and were greatly looking forward to discovering a new culture and to making new friends.
Do you like Irish Stand up comedy?
Shane Callaghan and Terry Norman are having a show in Ruido bar in the heart of Bratislava, on the March 15th.
Learn about the Emerald Isle, laugh and grab a cocktail, as our evening promises to be a mix of comedy, storytelling and live music.
The show is running two 1 hour shows - at 7 and 8.30.
Booking essential.
Link to the event and to buy tickets HERE
Oli Gemoli from the Irish Elements Show,
whom you may remember from our last St. Patrick`s Day reception, is presenting an exciting and lively Irish Dance show, taking place in Bratislava, at the Theatre of P.O. Hviezdoslav on May 24th.
Link to the event and to buy tickets HERE
First Irish Network Meeting.
Message from Shane Bissett
A little update from the Irish in Slovakia group! Irish network organized by Shane Bisset, had their first meeting in the Embassy and agreed that it would be good to continue to build on increasing our interaction with each other as we navigate a way to understand how best to support each other.
There are almost 20 people keen on building the group (a good split between singles, couples and families) and they would love to add more people.
While many options were explored, such as business, cultural and social. It was decided, that the first event would be a Social one, to be held around one of the May bank holidays.
The group is open to everyone including Irish community, Slovak people who may have lived in Ireland or anybody who has affinity with Ireland.
If you had a couple of minutes you could help us ensure that the event is a success by taking time to complete our short survey here..
If you are interested or have any ideas please feel free to contact skbissett@gmail.com.
Slovak Shamrocks Prepare for Gaelic Football Season 2024
The Slovak Shamrocks, Bratislava's GAA team, are back in action for the 2024 season.
Indoor training sessions at the British International School of Bratislava are in full swing every Wednesday. The focus is on gearing up for the upcoming regional tournament in Prague this April, where both the men's and ladies' teams aim to make a strong showing.
In addition to Gaelic football, the Shamrocks recently participated in a 1-wall handball tournament in Brno alongside teams from Vienna Gaels and Strakonice.
Janet O'Sullivan, Consul/Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of Ireland in Slovakia, attended the event, handing out medals to winners and runners-up.
As the Shamrocks continue their preparations, they're not only showcasing their sporting prowess but also serving as cultural ambassadors for Ireland in Slovakia. With their determination and spirit, they're ready to leave their mark on the fields of Central Europe in the 2024 season.
You can always find them on their Facebook HERE
Goodbye from
Deputy Head of Mission/Consul
Janet O´Sullivan
Hello Friends
As some of you will already have heard, after almost 3 years my time in Slovakia is ending in April. While I am sad to say goodbye I will be taking away many happy memories of my time in Bratislava not least of all the people I have met. It has been an honour to serve and work with the Irish Community here. The Irish Community family events were definitely among the highlights of my time in Slovakia.
With thanks to Shane Bissett for the concept, it was a pleasure for the Embassy to host the recent inaugural meeting of the Irish Network group; I wish Shane and the group the best of luck with future ventures and encourage all to get involved.
I am really looking forward to the St. Patrick’s Day Reception, as it will be my last big event and it will give me the opportunity to say farewell to many of you in person. My successor, Paul Gibbons will also be attending and you will have the chance to meet him. I am sure you will all give him as warm a welcome as you gave Des and me.
All the best
Janet
Goodbye from Ivana Pangrácová
Dear Irish Community, friends,
After two exciting and busy years as the Embassy’s temporary Policy & Public Outreach officer, the time has come for me to move on to a new adventure.
It would be an understatement to say that this position has provided me with many opportunities and new professional experiences, as well as the pleasure of getting to know so many of you lovely people.
It has been both an educational and joyful experience to represent Ireland, a progressive country marked by strong democratic values, pragmatism and a motivation to do the best possible. Last but not least, Ireland is a country known for its kindness and acceptance with fun at its very core.
As I prepare to move on to new beginnings, I wish you all the very best in your endeavours and plans for the future.
Looking forward to seeing you at the St. Patrick`s Day reception, and possibly out and about thereafter.
Warm Regards and Thank you.
Ivana :)