On March 17, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland to the Republic of Bulgaria - H. E. Mr. Michael Forbes and Mr. Marc Martinez gave a reception on the occasion of the national holiday of Ireland.

E. Mr. Forbes welcomed the guests and said that not only the millions of Irish people scattered around the world celebrate on this day St. Patrick's Day, but also "all present here today are Irish" and celebrate.

In his short speech the ambassador did not fail to note the good relations between Bulgaria and Ireland at state level and the friendly relations between the people of both countries. This is enabled by the regular direct flights between our countries from Sofia and Burgas.

The ballroom of Sofia Hotel Balkan was filled with numerous guests, including ambassadors, diplomats, officials, journalists... Saint Patrick's Day brought together representatives of the Irish community in our country.

Photos:  Embassy of Ireland

1. Ambassador Michael Forbes is giving a speech at the reception for St. Patrick’s Day.
2. Ambassador Forbes shakes hands with Georgian Ambassador Zurab Beridze.
3. Ambassador Forbes shakes hands with Palestinian Ambassador Dr Ahmed Al Madbuh.
4. Ambassador Michael Forbes and his partner Mr. Marc Martinez are greeting Mr. Michael Foley, CEO of Telenor, and his wife Maureen Cheruto Koech.
5. Ambassador Forbes shакеs hands with Mrs. Vessela Trichkova, harpist of the Sofia Philharmonic, next to her is Iglika Vassileva, translator of "Odisey" by James Joyce and a number of other famous Irish writers, and her husband.
6. The ambassadors of Austria, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Japan (with his wife). 
7. Ambassador Forbes with official Deputy Prime Minister on EU funds, Ms. Malina Krumova. 
8. Irish cheeses sent specially from Dublin for the reception.