Embassy Freetown celebrates St Patrick’s Day 2017

On Thursday, 16 March 2017, the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone hosted its annual St Patrick’s Day celebration. The event was attended by roughly 150 guests, drawn from government, development partners, business and cultural associates, and the vibrant Irish community in Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Campbell, delivering national remarks, opened with a reference to the St. Patrick’s Day message from the President of Ireland, and the impact that migration has had on Ireland’s view of the world.  She updated guests on Ireland’s economic recovery and the launch of Ireland’s new international trade strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World. She noted that despite external uncertainty, Ireland remains committed to our values of freedom and democracy, openness, tolerance, community, solidarity and respect for others. She noted that these values underpinned Ireland’s work in Sierra Leone and Liberia in our focus on nutrition and food security, gender equality and governance issues. She also congratulated the government of Sierra Leone on defeating Ebola and maintaining a resilient zero since the outbreak was officially declared over in Sierra Leone on St Patrick’s Day 2016.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Mohammed Gibril Sesay, responded to Ambassador Campbell, highlighting the positive impact that Ireland has had on education and health services in Sierra Leone. Speaking positively of Ireland’s candidature for the UN Security Council in 2021, Minister Sesay said that, “Ireland is a great friend of countries seeking justice and fairness”. He also thanked the people of Ireland for their continued support to the development of Sierra Leone, particularly in the areas of nutrition and food security, gender equality and good governance.

Amhran na bhFiain and High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free were ably performed on the night by the Ballanta Music Academy, Sierra Leone’s premier choir.