November 2014
Minister Deenihan returns from Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Australia
November 28
Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., today returned from leading 18 Irish companies in a major drive to increase Irish exports to Australia.
November 24
Almost €415,000 will be granted to organisations across Australia this year to provide welfare services and support to Irish emigrants, Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., announced in Perth today.
Major success for International Rules Test, Perth
November 22
Saturday 22 November saw the welcome return of the International Rule series, organised by the GAA and the AFL, with a one-off test match played between Australia and Ireland in Perth.
Minister Deenihan leads Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Perth and Brisbane
November 21
The Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., will today begin an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Australia, leading 18 innovative, exporting Irish construction and engineering companies in an effort to boost trade between the two countries.
October 2014
Irish cricket team visits Canberra for pre-World Cup matches
October 4
After their successful qualification for the Cricket World Cup 2015, the Ireland cricket team are on an acclimatisation tour of Australia and New Zealand. Ambassador White welcomed the squad to the Irish Embassy on 4 October ahead of their matches against the ACT Comets.
Thomas Keneally to receive Presidential Distingushed Service Award
October 1
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., has announced the ten recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for 2014, which include Tom Keneally, the well-known Irish Australian novelist, playwright, author and commentator.
2014 Australian Irish Dancing Championships
September 30 - October 5
The Australian Irish Dancing Championships took place in Canberra this year, with approximately 1,500 dancers competiting across the 6 days of competition.
Australasian GAA Championships
September 30 - October 4
The Embassy was represented at the 2014 GAA Australasian Championships, which were held at Gaelic Park in Melbourne.
September 2014
Visit by Minister Richard Bruton
September 1-5
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, paid a 5-day, 3-city trade and investment mission to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, jointly organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland from 1 – 5 September.
August 2014
Ambassador White pays official visit to Tasmania
August 25-26
Ambassador White paid an official visit to Tasmania from 25 – 26 August.
Ambassador White pays official visit to Northern Territory
August 7-8
Ambassador White paid an official visit to the Northern Territory from 7 – 8 August.
June 2014
Ambassador White attends Fieldays, Hamilton, New Zealand
June 11-14
Ambassador White attended the Irish National Stand hosted Enterprise Ireland at Mystery Creek Fieldays - the largest Agribusiness event in the Southern Hemisphere.
Christmas and New Year Message 2014
As President of Ireland, may I offer my warmest wishes for Christmas and the New Year to everyone in Ireland, and to all of our Irish abroad, those who assist them, and the communities that have welcomed them.
Christmas is a season of joy and warmth. It is a special time of the year, when so many of us come together with family and friends in a spirit of sharing and celebration. It is an opportunity to revive hope and anticipation, which can encourage us, including those who may be feeling distressed or lonely, to look beyond the long dark nights, to the promise once again, of the dawning light of Spring.
The story of Bethlehem, of the homeless Joseph and Mary anticipating the birth of their child, is at the heart of this holiday and it invites us to reflect on how we relate to the stranger, the vulnerable in our midst. At Christmas we are reminded, not only of how a man and a woman had to leave their familiar surroundings and have their child in a strange place, of how they were joined by unknown shepherds and visitors from faraway lands, but most importantly, of the empowering ethic of hospitality.
I completed, last month, a three-week visit to Africa, where I witnessed first-hand the impressive solidarity of countries such as Ethiopia in responding to the predicament of so many men, women and children from neighbouring countries who were forced to leave behind their homes, communities and livelihoods to seek refuge in their neighbour’s territory. Such willingness to offer shelter to those fleeing persecution or hunger is an issue that should involve us all, and not just the countries first affected.
Christmas is a season of peace, a time to recall all that can be achieved through reflection, forgiveness and reconciliation. Earlier this year, I had the great honour of being Ireland’s first Head of State to pay a State Visit to our nearest neighbour in every sense, the United Kingdom. It was an immense privilege and pleasure to be thus able to manifest the friendship between our two peoples, who no longer “look at each other with doubtful eyes”, but, rather, with the trustful eyes of mutual respect and shared commitments.
As a New Year approaches, and we continue our lives together, may I offer our appreciation to all who make that possible. I know that a commitment to the service of our citizens is shared by all those with a public service mission. May I, on behalf of the Irish people, thank in particular those who are caring for our communities during the holiday season – including the staff in our hospitals and emergency services, An Garda Síochána, and members of our Defence Forces who are supporting peace abroad.
My wish is that 2015 will bring our people a bounty of opportunities for flourishing and renewal. May the caring spirit that infuses these precious few days spent in the company of those we love extend to all and well beyond the Christmas holiday, into the year ahead.
Sabina and I wish each and every one of you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.