On St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate not only Irish culture , history, traditions and diaspora, recognising the huge contribution the Irish people have made to the world country over generations. with their shared spirit of solidarity that unites communities worldwide. Ireland might be a small nation - a minority - but have always punched above our weight. Irish hearts beat strong across the world.
The day isn’t just about green beer and parades. Irish President Catherine Connolly has used her first St. Patrick’s Day message to highlight how the story of Saint Patrick symbolises the “resilience and courage” of migrants and warn against the “normalisation of war.”
She urged Irish people to respond with "hospitality and kindness" to victims of conflict and displacement, noting Ireland’s own historical experience of famine and forced emigration.
While not naming the US or Israel explicitly, this was seen as a rebuke of the Irish government after ministers avoided stating that the bombing campaign on Iran broke international law.
In her St Patrick’s Day message on Monday, Ms Connolly said the young man who would become Saint Patrick was trafficked across the Irish Sea from Britain in the fifth century.
She said he later returned to Ireland as a missionary, “giving voice and his life to fostering an awareness of the consequences of slavery”.
“The story of Patrick’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants, the invaluable contributions that they have made, and continue to make, to the countries they now call home, sometimes even in the face of great adversity,” she said.
“Patrick’s story speaks not only to the Ireland of the 5th century, but to the millions still subjected to trafficking, forced labour and displacement today.
“As we recall the life of Patrick, we invoke his spirit and acknowledge our shared responsibilities as global citizens. “We stand in solidarity with those who find themselves in vulnerable and dangerous circumstances. “Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement, those fleeing their countries because of persecution or violence. “The normalisation of war can never be accepted. Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy in line with the principles of international law as set out in the United Nations charter.” She emphasised Ireland’s position as a neutral country and a post-colonial society, meant it can offer “a valuable perspective on the challenges facing our world”.
Although it’s often hidden in the official celebrations, Ireland has a long history of solidarity with people around the world fighting to be free from colonialism.
This is especially true of the Palestinian struggle to end Israeli occupation and genocide. Irish freedom fighters have long pointed out the parallels between the two struggles, like heroic hunger strikes by political prisoners and massacres of protesters by occupation soldiers.
May Saint Patrick bless and help our Palestinian brothers and sisters on his blessed day of remembrance and in their hours of vital need. Sláinte, Happy St Patrick’s Day everyone/Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibhI ☘️
