Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
St. Patrick's Day connects Ireland and Korea
Irish Ambassador to Korea Julian Clare, right, poses with Irish Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltach Josepha Madigan at a St. Patricks Day reception at Conrad Seoul hotel in Yeouido on March 18. / Embassy of Ireland
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
“St. Patrick’s Day is a time of special celebration in Ireland and throughout the world. It is a day in which we like to feel that everyone has a connection to Ireland.”
This how Irish Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltach Josepha Madigan described St. Patrick’s Day at a reception at Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido on March 18.
Koreans, Irish, and those from other parts of Europe as well as North and South America and Africa mingled while drinking Guinness, eating various foods, listening to traditional Irish music performed live and learning about Irish culture.
Hosted by Irish Ambassador to Korea Julian Clare, the reception especially presented a rare scene of members of the Missionary Society of St. Columban gathered together. Founded in 1918, the society takes its name from St. Columban, Ireland’s sixth century missionary to Europe.
“This is my first visit to Korea and I am enormously impressed by the dynamism and drive that I see here,” Madigan said.
She said Korea was “a key partner” in the Irish government’s plan to build “a stronger and more vibrant relationship” with Asian countries.
She referred to growing bilateral ties, such as the annual trade volume of 2.5 billion euros and Koreans visiting Ireland on the working holiday program and to study English at universities.
She also said the two countries, along with other U.N. members, were “now more than ever” committed to the U.N system, to human rights, to free and open trading, and to nuclear non-proliferation.
Commenting on Irish living abroad, the minister said St. Patrick’s Day was an opportunity to “renew the links between Ireland and the Irish abroad.”
She added this is why her visit had been “a great opportunity” for her to experience how the Irish communities, such as Columban missionaries and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), have flourished.
The Irish Columban missionaries have made significant contribution to Korea.
Among them was late P.J. McGlinchey, who devoted his life to Jeju Island after arriving there at the end of the Korean War in 1953. He died in 2018 at 89 and was given Korean citizenship posthumously in recognition of his service.
Korea has been hosting GAA clubs, including the Seoul Gaels that retained the silverware at the Asian Gaelic Games in Bangkok last year.
“No matter how far Irish people move around the world, they continue to retain a deep and abiding connection to their Irish identity — whether through sport, culture or the many other facets of Irish life and culture,” Madigan said.
This was her first visit to Korea. She was the fifth Irish minister to visit here in the past two years.