Islamabad (TDI): Ireland is celebrating its National Day, popularly known as St. Patrick’s Day on Monday.
At the occasion, the Irish Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement that it is excited to share this moment with Pakistan.
“17 March is St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day. This year is a particularly special moment in Pakistan as our newly opened Irish Embassy celebrates for the first time!! We are delighted to be sharing this occasion with our Pakistani friends. Pak-Irish dosti zindabad,” the Embassy posted on X.
17 March is St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day. This year is a particularly special moment in Pakistan as our newly opened Irish Embassy celebrates for the first time!! We are delighted to be sharing this occasion with our Pakistani friends. Pak-Irish dosti zindabad!! 🇮🇪🇵🇰 https://t.co/FeXnhF6TAW
— Irish Embassy Pakistan (@irlembpakistan) March 16, 2025
In 2022, as part of the “Global Ireland Program”, Ireland announced its plans to open an Embassy in Islamabad and to have a fully functional diplomatic mission in Pakistan.
In August last year, the Embassy officially started its operations, with Mary O’Neill as the first resident Irish Ambassador to Pakistan.
Ambassador Mary O’Neill was delighted to present credentials to President Zardari in Islamabad yesterday as Ireland’s first resident Ambassador in Pakistan 🇮🇪🇵🇰 @dfatirl pic.twitter.com/h4rmkXpsD6
— Irish Embassy Pakistan (@irlembpakistan) August 14, 2024
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also congratulated Ireland on its national day.
“On the occasion of Saint Patrick’s Day of the Republic of #Ireland, we extend our heartiest felicitations to its people and Government,” it wrote on X.
History of Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is the most-awaited time of the year for all Irish people around the world.
Two capital cities, Belfast of Northern Ireland, and Dublin of the Republic of Ireland are soaked in green while people appear on streets to enjoy cultural shows and rituals.
The celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day are not just limited to Ireland but happen in other parts of the world as well, especially in the United States and Canada.
Thank you Prime Minister @MarkJCarney for joining us at historic 200th Montréal #StPatricksDay Parade 🇮🇪🇨🇦
An incredible demonstration of community, positivity, inclusivity, & joy 🫶🏻
HUGE congratulations to the committee & all the volunteers who made this special day happen 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4S1VieRtLr
— Irish Embassy Canada (@IrlEmbCanada) March 16, 2025
The famous legend is that Saint Patrick died on March 17 and people in Ireland started having an annual feast on this day.
For the Irish people, Saint Patrick hold the momentous symbolism of the person who brought Christianity to Ireland.
However, the first parades to mark the legacy and life of Saint Patrick were held in America. Since 1766, an official parade takes place in the New York City every year on 17 March.
It is noteworthy that a large number of people in America claim Irish ancestry and that is why this day is equally special in the US.
Celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day
In earlier years, the celebrations around this day were limited to solemn religious practices. But with time parades also added up to the annual events.
In the present day, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and hustle set in right at the beginning of the month of March.
Grand feasts with everyone dressed-up in Green are the most prominent highlights of the day.
While New York hosts the biggest parade, Belfast, Dublin, and other Irish majority cities are also full of laughter and joy.
Interestingly, non-Irish people also participate in St. Patrick’s Day ceremonies with just the same enthusiasm as the Irish.
In Belfast, a four-day music festival is on-going as part of the celebrations while in Dublin, clear skies and sun have added to the party, where half a million spectators are expected to show up to see performances by dancers and musicians.
