St Patrick's Day 2021 message from the Consul General
News
09 March 2021Dear Friends
With the varying impacts of the pandemic on Ireland, Hong Kong and elsewhere in the world, the global celebration of St Patrick’s Day will be very different in 2021. While Irish government Ministers ordinarily travel to different corners of the world to celebrate with the global Irish, this year our formal celebration will move online. In Ireland, the signature St Patrick’s Festival will be held online during 12-17 March 2021! The theme of this year’s Festival is “Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland!”. The world is invited to throw off the long, dark months and rise to embrace the brighter days ahead. Details of the programme are on https://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/
☘️☘️☘️☘️ In Hong Kong, the Consulate will host our Online Reception with Special Guests on 17 March 2021 (18:15–18:45). We would love you to join us at www.ireland.ie/hong-kong.
The Consulate recently held a St Patrick’s Day Card Design Competition with local schools. I’m delighted to share the winning designs with you.
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☘️☘️☘️ St Patrick’s Day Card Design Competition 2021 ☘️☘️☘️ |
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Primary School Winner
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Cover Design by Sanvi Samal from Delia School of Canada.
The design incorporates the shamrock, which was used by St Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The leaves of a shamrock symbolise luck, love, faith and hope. |
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Secondary School winner
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Cover Design by Tianna Hiu Lam Chong of St Clare’s Girls’ School.
The design includes many of the forty shades of green that Ireland is famous for. A ribbon pattern was used in the design to incorporate the Celtic patterns seen on Irish dancing dresses while also mimicking the movement of the dancers. |
Our friends in Tourism Ireland recently announced their 12th annual #GlobalGreening line-up for St Patrick’s Day with the aim to bring some positivity and hope to the over 70 million people around the world who claim links to the island of Ireland. At a time when Irish people overseas cannot travel home, Tourism Ireland wants to shine a green light in as many locations around the world as possible, giving our Diaspora a sense of connection with home and reminding them that we cannot wait to welcome them back, as soon as it is possible to do so. In this part of the world, the signature #GlobalGreening campaign will continue with The Clock Tower at TST and The Peninsula Hong Kong joining the Ruins of St Pauls in Macao and the hundreds of iconic landmarks around the world by being illuminated in green on St Patrick’s Day. We thank our partners for their support in making this happen.
Although the Consulate is not hosting a formal reception in Hong Kong, we are pleased to share details of several St Patrick’s Day related events happening in Hong Kong:
☘ St Patrick’s Day at The Grounds
Hong Kong's Ultimate Socially Distanced Entertainment Experience will have a special St Patrick’s Day programme on 17 March. The Grounds at the AIA Vitality Park, in association with The Irish Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and the St Patrick’s Society of Hong Kong, will be celebrating St Patricks Day with a special screening of Irish indie movie – “Sing Street” – directed by John Carney. An exclusive PRESALE has been made available to the Irish community and friends of Ireland at the link here, which is available now! Tickets are very limited and are expected to sell out once they go on sale to the general public on 10 March. As an added bonus The Grounds have graciously provided a special promo code to get a 15% discount off the ticket price. PROMO CODE: singstreet15
☘ Can't fly anywhere … Join the “March Of The Irish” Challenge
Can't fly anywhere? Won't stop the #MarchOfTheIrish ... Join the St Patrick’s Society of Hong Kong throughout March for a virtual trek from the Gate Clock Bar in Dublin Airport to the Arrivals Hall at Hong Kong Airport. The St Patrick’s Society mark their 90th anniversary in Hong Kong so this unique initiative is a great way to celebrate this special anniversary with the proceeds benefiting ImpactHK. Details on https://www.myvirtualmission.com/missions/99754/march-of-the-irish
☘ Special Offers at The Peninsula Hong Kong
To celebrate their participation in the #GlobalGreening, our friends at The Peninsula Hong Kong are running some Irish themed offers. There will be a special themed dinner menu available on St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and The Peninsula have special Staycations offers for our community and friends during March. Details of the St Patrick’s Day ‘Suaimhneas Stay’ – which means tranquillity in Irish – are available here.
☘ Dating Amber at the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
We’re also please to tell you that Ireland will be represented at the rescheduled Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival with David Freyne’s film ‘Dating Amber’. Tickets are available here and screenings of the Film are on:
- 27 March, Saturday 7:45pm at the Movie Movie Cityplaza
- 1 April, Thursday 7:35pm at Broadway Cinematheque
☘ ‘This is Ireland’ Pop-up Radio Station
For St Patrick's Day 2021, a new pop-up radio station will appear for one day, in celebration of our national holiday. From the team behind Christmas FM, ‘This is Ireland’ will showcase the best of Ireland on air – through music and words in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day. ‘This is Ireland’ from Christmas FM will explore the songs and stories of Ireland and the influence of Irish culture across the globe, from the past to the present day. ‘This is Ireland’ from Christmas FM will be broadcasting live on smart speakers, the Christmas FM app and online at www.christmasfm.com and on socials @christmasfm. Do listen in and hopefully we can get a Hong Kong message on the air.
On a sad note we learned of the recent passing of one of our longest-standing community member Michael O’Brien. Michael, from County Laois, came to Hong Kong in 1962 and spent the last 59 years of his life teaching, mostly with the Lasalle school. His funeral service, subject to the current social distance restrictions, will be on 19 March. We are grateful for Michael’s life of service in Hong Kong and to the Lasalle family for supporting Michael in his final months. We extend our deepest condolences to Michael’s family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Lastly, Tourism Ireland are encouraging family and friends back in Ireland to take part in their Light a Green Candle initiative for their St Patricks Day @ Home event. People are encouraged to light a green candle at 7:00pm (GMT), take a photo or video and upload to their social media accounts, using #GlobalGreening #HappyStPatricksDay to become part of the conversation. Lighting a candle is a great act of solidarity and we would encourage you to join the Light a Green Candle and tag @IrelandinHK @TourismIreland if possible. Let’s tell the world that Ireland is waiting to welcome them when the time is right. If you are stuck for candle ideas in Hong Kong, our Irish friends in Carroll & Chan will be delighted to recommend one (Iska is my personal favourite). Speaking of supporting Irish businesses at this difficult time, let me offer a final shout out to our friends in Delaneys and McSorleys which will have their own promotions for St Patrick’s Day.
May I wish everyone a Happy St Patrick’s Day.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.
David
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David Costello Consul General |