To celebrate the national day of Ireland, St Patrick’s Day, Irish Minister of State Noel Ahern visitied Bucharest and was the guest of honour at a large reception hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland on Friday 16 March at 12.30 at the Novotel.

Representation at the event included senior Romanian Officials, representatives of Irish Businesses and their partner companies. The event showcased Irish food which has been sent directly from Ireland especially for the occasion. It included cheeses, Irish soda bread, organic Irish salmon and cured meats. There was also a selection of Irish drinks including Guinness, Whiskey and Baileys.

Representatives of the media were welcomed to attend the event.

Additional Information

St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March is the national day of Ireland. St. Patrick is also the patron Saint of Ireland.

Noel Ahern is Minister of State with responsibility for Housing and Urban Renewal and for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs. He was first elected to the Dail (Parliament) in 1992.

Bord Bia is the Irish food board and arranged for products to be sent to Bucharest for the celebration of St.Patrick’s Day. Further information can be accessed at www.bordbia.ie

Representatives of the Irish government attended events in the USA, Canada, Asia, South America, Africa and Europe. In the EU Ministers visited Britain, Austria, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Romania. Mr Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland traveled to Washington.