Nepal Ireland Day Concludes with Grand Success

Post date: Sep 5, 2016 10:51:59 PM

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 programme with performances from both Nepalese and Irish artists, a photo exhibition of 120 photographs taken by 34 Irish tourists who travelled 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 Irish government and Irish public for their support and help for the people of Nepal affected by the Earthquake. He said - “ Relations between Nepal and Ireland has grown rapidly in past few years. This trend will continue with active collaboration in trade, business and investment in 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 organisations 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 Government of Ireland to establish 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. Emer Costello, NRNA European Regional Co-ordinator Mr. 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 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.

Date: 4th September 2016