“There are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish, and those who wish they were.”
On Thursday 17th March, H.E. Fionnuala Quinlan – Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya, held a reception to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day, at her official residence in Muthaiga. In attendance were Top ranking Government officials led by Amb. Macharia Kamau, CBS, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was also the Chief Guest, distinguished members of the diplomatic corps including Dr. Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, the business community, as well as members of the Irish community living and working in Kenya.
Green- the color of the emerald isle and worn proudly on the day, was in plenty through dress and décor and lots of food and drinks.
If there’s one thing for sure we know and love about the Irish, it’s their world-renowned beverages that are distributed throughout the world. A nation famous for Guinness and some of the best whiskey on the planet, Ireland’s indigenous beverages offer a varied selection for any drinker. It is rare to travel any to any location in the world and not be greeted by the familiar sight of an Irish drink.
Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
It is also a global celebration of what it means to be Irish; the spirit, the determination, the creativity and that indefinable something that makes them who they are. Saint Patrick’s Day is a great time for Ireland to engage with and thank long-standing partners, friends and voluntary and community organizations around the world for their ongoing support and their contributions to this country and to the Irish overseas.
Over the past 100 years, Kenya and Ireland have had a friendly relationship of mutual benefit. For example, trade between the two countries grew by 82 per cent from $45 million (Sh4.5 billion) in 2007 to $82 million (Sh8.2 billion) in 2016. Kenya’s exports to Ireland in 2017 were valued at $13.5 million (Sh 1.35 billion) while imports were valued at $32.5 million (Sh 3.25 billion).
In the words of the famous poet, Dion Boucicault “When the law can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow and when the leaves in summertime their colour dare not show, then will I change my colour too, the colour I wear in my caubeen; but till that day, plaze God, I’ll stick to wearin’ o’ the green.”
Sláinte!