2016

The Embassy of Nepal, London jointly with the Nepal Ireland Society, Action Aid and Engineers Without Borders Ireland organized Nepal Conference 2016 in Dublin Ireland on Saturday, 30th April 2016. The conference was organized in Dublin to mark one year of devastating Nepal earthquake.
Welcoming the participants of the conference, Mr. Deepesh Man Shakya, President of the Nepal Ireland Society and Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board for Ireland said that the conference is being organized to bring NGOs and individuals in Ireland, who are working on different projects in Nepal, to a common networking platform. .
At the onset of the conference, a minute of silence was observed in the memory of nearly 9000 people who lost their lives to the earthquake on 25th April 2015.
The conference had more than 25 speakers representing different INGOs and Charity organizations. The reconstruction phase of Nepal, slow response of Government of Nepal, difficulties for International Volunteer in obtaining volunteer visa was discussed during the Conference. Speaking as the guest of honor Ms. Siobhan McGee, CEO of Action Aid Ireland, said her organization is extremely delighted to be a part of the historic Nepal Conference in Ireland. She vowed to support NIS future activities and work in collaboration to accomplish the objectives behind the formation of the Nepal Ireland Alliance, a platform that was formed last year to integrate all Irish organizations, interested in Nepal.
Likewise, speaking at the Conference, the Chargé d'Affaires ai, Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri informed the participants regarding the progress made by Government of Nepal so far in the earthquake reconstruction effort. On behalf of the Nepalese government, he also thanked the Irish government, Irish NGOs, and the Irish people for their immense help and support after the earthquake. Likewise, he also encouraged participants to engage in Nepal Trade and Investment by shedding light on fertile area of ​​Nepal Trade and investment ranging from Hydropower to Agro-based industries. At the end of his speech, Chargé d'Affaires ai, Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri also requested Irish Government to lift travel restriction fully and urged the participants and Irish citizen to visit beautiful Nepal mentioning that it is already safe to visit,
The chief guest of the conference, Mr. Joe Costello, former Irish Minister of State for Trade and Development specified about the Nepal and Ireland special relationship which was established in 1999 and reassured his commitment to strengthen this relationship further in the future for the mutual benefits of both countries. He insisted on importance to encourage high-level visits between Nepal and Ireland and assured that he will do the best he can to materialize such visits and also work on the formation of an Inter-Parliamentary friendship group between the two countries. During the conference, Mr. Joe Costello also assured the participants that he will put the request to Irish Government for putting Nepal in priority list for Irish Aid. Furthermore,
Irish Mt. Everest Summiteer Mr. Derek J. Mahon talked about his experience and the unforgettable time he had in Nepal during his Everest Expedition. Speaking at the conference, Mr. Som Nath Sapkota, Nepal Tourism Board Honorary Public Relations Representative for Denmark, requested Irish public to visit Nepal.
The President of Nepal Ireland Society and Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board in Ireland Mr. Mr. Deepeshman Shakya, Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board in UK Dr. Pashupati Bhandari, UK social worker Kapil Rijal, representative from Irish Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Plan International, Concern Worldwide and various other representatives from several INGOs and Charity Organization were presented in the conference. The representatives from various Ireland based NGOs - Action Aid Ireland (Ms. Triona Pender), Sarah Bird Foundation (Ms. Naomi Gould and Paul O'Connor), Engineers Without Borders (Mr. Declan Alcock), Irish Nepalese Educational Trust (INET) (Ms. Valerie Burris), Comhlamh (Mr. Phillipe Mudge), Concern Worldwide (Mr. Ros O'Sullivan), Nagarhope Ireland (Ms. Niamh Clandillon), Tear Fund (Ms. Emma Lynch), Nepal Leprosy Turst (Mr. Mike Winterburn), Trocaire (Mr. Conor O'Loughlin), Plan International (Ms. Linda Fuhrmann), Habitat for Humanity Ireland (Mr. Vinnie Cunnigham), Umbrella Foundation (Ms. Ciara Close), Droaicht (Ms. Sarah O'Connell and Ms. Siabhra Medley) and Touch Ireland (Mr. Shiva Gautam) presented the details of the projects their organizations have been involved in Nepal after the earthquake. They also expressed their thoughts regarding possible future projects their organization can carry out jointly in Nepal. Siabhra Medley) and Touch Ireland (Mr. Shiva Gautam) presented the details of the projects their organizations have been involved in Nepal after the earthquake. They also expressed their thoughts regarding possible future projects their organization can carry out jointly in Nepal. Siabhra Medley) and Touch Ireland (Mr. Shiva Gautam) presented the details of the projects their organizations have been involved in Nepal after the earthquake. They also expressed their thoughts regarding possible future projects their organization can carry out jointly in Nepal.
During the Ireland visit for the Conference, the Chargé d'Affaires ai, Mr. Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri attended a meeting with Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. Ms. Brian O'Brien and Desk Officer Maria at Ireland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 29 April 2016. In the meeting the Chargé d'Affaires ai, Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri urged Ireland to fully relax travel restriction on Nepal which was imposed by Irish Government one year ago with the devastating earthquake. Though the UK and US lifted the travel warnings to their citizens to visit earthquake affected regions of Nepal, Ireland had only lifted the restrictions partially. They also discussed about the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Ireland, trade and investment and the possibility of high level visits to Nepal and vice versa.
KATHMANDU, May 14: The government of Ireland has lifted its strict travel warnings to its citizens from visiting Nepal which was put in place following the devastating earthquake on April 25 last year. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Public Relations Representative for Ireland Deepesh Man Shakya said, "The trekking agencies couldn't send Irish Mountaineers to Nepal due to the previous travel advisory which made it difficult to get travel insurance. The new travel advisory has now opened the door for all Irish tourists to go to Nepal on a holiday or an adventure trip without any pending restrictions. "
Many Irish tourists visit Nepal for voluntarism, holidays, trekking, climbing and on a work trip. An Irish trekking agency which sends climbing expedition groups to different parts of the world is planning to send hundreds of adventurers to Nepal this year.
According to Shakya, the number of Irish tourists visiting Nepal is on a sharp rise and this number is expected to increase further in coming years. To promote Nepal Tourism in Ireland, NTB and Nepal Ireland Society are organizing 'Nepal Visit Consultation' program on 28th May to address queries of those who are planning to visit Nepal.
Nepal Ireland Society in collaboration with Nepal Embassy in London and Nepal Tourism Board has been organizing many tourism promotion events in Ireland. The lifting of travel warning by the Irish government came after a recent meeting of Nepalese delegates, led by the acting Nepalese Ambassador to the UK and Ireland Tej Bahadur Chhetri, with the officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
Many countries, including UK, US, and New Zealand, have lifted travel restrictions to Nepal making way for bringing the hard-hit tourism sector of Nepal, after the earthquake, back to a full recovery.


The Embassy of Nepal in London, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Ireland Society are jointly organizing 'Nepal Ireland Day' on 4th September 2016 to mark the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Ireland. The event will take place at Farmleigh, Phoenix Park in Dublin. The event will be opened to public from 12 pm to 5 pm. The event will comprise of a cultural program with performances from both Nepalese and Irish artists. The event will also include a photo exhibition of photographs taken by Irish tourists who traveled to Nepal after the Earthquake that hit the country on 25th April 2015, delicious Nepalese Food Stalls, Nepalese Handicraft Stalls and various other activities and performances. Acting Ambassador at Embassy of Nepal in London, Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri, who has been playing a vital role in strengthening the relationship between Nepal and Ireland both at people level and Government level, said, - "Relations between Nepal and Ireland has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 17 years. I am fully I am confident that this relationship is destined to extend rapidly in the future for the mutual benefits of both countries. Events like 'Nepal Ireland Day' will immensely contribute to this cause. " Nepal Ireland Society has been organizing Nepal Day in Ireland since 2013 with support from the Office of Public Works (OPW), Ireland. In connection with Nepal Ireland Day 2016, President of Nepal Ireland Society and Nepal Tourism Board Honorary Public Relation Representative for Ireland- Mr. Deepesh Man Shakya said, - "This year, we are renaming the event as 'Nepal Ireland Day' to celebrate the completion of 17 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Ireland. This event will also help in deepening the close connection between the two countries. . ” Nepal abounds in natural beauty, with the majestic Himalayan range, and is also a land of one of the most unique and richest cultures in the world, thus enthralling and alluring tourists from around the world. Irish people are very keen in mountaineering, and they highly appreciate the art and culture of Nepal. In addition, Ireland has recently lifted its strict travel warning for Nepal. The move has made easier for Irish tourists to go to Nepal without any restrictions. This event is expected to raise the profile of Nepal in Ireland and promote Nepal Tourism by showcasing Nepal's rich heritage and cultural diversity. Nepal Day has always been a colorful and a vibrant event hosted at Farmleigh, one of the historical places in Ireland. Organizers are vowing to create a unique atmosphere on the day to make a lasting impression on more than 10,000 visitors expected on the day.


4th September 2016. The Embassy of Nepal in London, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Ireland Society jointly organized 'Nepal Ireland Day' today to mark the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Ireland, at Farmleigh, Phoenix Park in Dublin.
The event which also focused on promoting Nepal Tourism in Ireland was a huge success with more than 8000 visitors at Dublin's historical place Farmleigh, Phoenix Park. The visitors were fascinated by the atmosphere of Nepalese art and culture and thoroughly enjoyed different activities that comprised of cultural program with performances from both Nepalese and Irish artists, a photo exhibition of 120 photographs taken by 34 Irish tourists who traveled to Nepal after the Earthquake on 25th April 2015, a delicious Nepalese Food Stall, Nepalese Handicraft Stall, Information desks of Irish Charities who are working in Nepal, video and slideshow on Nepal at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) booth, Panche Baja, a Nepalese cultural procession in Dublin City Center and various other activities.
Acting Ambassador Mr. Sharad Raj Aran, in his keynote speech, thanked the Irish government and the Irish public for their support and help for the people of Nepal affected by the Earthquake. He said - “Relations between Nepal and Ireland have grown rapidly in the past few years. This trend will continue with active collaboration in trade, business and investment in the future for the mutual benefit of both countries. The Embassy of Nepal will take this as a priority going forward and will do the best it can. ”.


Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Dublin Lord Mayor Mr. Brendan Carr said - “This is a year of commemoration in Ireland of significant events in the formation of the nation, and it also marks one year since the devastating earthquakes in Nepal which killed 9,000 people and left many hundreds of thousands without shelter. Along with the Nepal Ireland Society, there are many Irish organizations and individuals involved in the effort to rebuild Nepal, a sign of the close bonds between the two countries. ” He also stressed the need to establish an exclusive bond between Ireland and Nepal who both have a very rich and vibrant cultural heritage.
President of Nepal Ireland Society and Nepal Tourism Board Honorary Public Relations Representative for Ireland- Mr. Deepesh Man Shakya said, - "This year, we are renaming the event as 'Nepal Ireland Day' to celebrate the completion of 17 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Ireland. This event will also help in deepening the close connection between the two countries. and get more Irish tourists to Nepal. ” He said the society is currently working with the Government of Ireland to establish an inter-parliamentary friendship group between Nepal and Ireland.
Nepal Ireland Society, in the absence of Nepalese Embassy in Ireland, has been the primary contact point for Irish public for information related to Nepal and carrying out various activities in strengthening relations between Nepal and Ireland in close collaboration with Embassy of Nepal in London, which also oversees Ireland.
Society's Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Fenlon and Vice President Mr. Jiwan Timalsina in their welcome speech thanked the guests for being a part of this historical chapter in the link between Nepal and Ireland.
Former Minister of State Mr. Joe Costello, Former Member of European Parliament and Former Dublin Lord Mayor Ms. Mr. Emer Costello, NRNA European Regional Co-ordinator Kul Acharya and NRN Ireland President Mr. Rajan Kafle also spoke at the opening ceremony. All of them echoed the gratification in attending the event and stressed on the need to take this further to form a privileged bond between the two countries and as well as between the people of Nepal and Ireland.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Director Mr. Brian O'Brien, Colonel Pradeep Jung KC from Embassy of Nepal and various other dignitaries were also present at the opening ceremony.
Nepal Ireland Society has been organizing Nepal Day in Ireland since 2013 with support from the Office of Public Works (OPW), Ireland. OPW has continued its exceptional support by providing the venue and all logistic help for organizing Nepal Ireland Day at Farmleigh. The event was supported by NRN-Ireland, South Dublin County Council, South Dublin Migration Integration Forum and Dublin City Council.