On March 17, the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Ireland in the Republic of Bulgaria - Mr. Patrick Coleman hosted a reception on the occasion of the national holiday of Ireland.

In the ballroom of the Sofia Hotel Balkan it welcomed numerous guests, including ambassadors, diplomats, officials, journalists ... The Day of St. Patrick brought together representatives of the Irish community in the country as well.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Coleman noted the contribution of the Bulgarians living in Ireland for the welfare of the Irish society. According to the latest data they are about 4000. Last year on this day the Town Hall in Chepelare was illuminated in green as a sign of appreciation to the Irish residents. This was repeated this year, and for the first time the National Palace of Culture in Sofia was lit in green.

Mr. Coleman noted that the past year was very successful for the Irish economy, the exchange of tourists between our two countries has increased and is expected to grow even more after October, when the Irish Rayan Air will open regular flights to our country . The ambassador gladly shared the fact that more and more Bulgarians travel to Dublin especially for the parade of St. Patrick.

Photos provided by the Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria.

Above: Mr. Patrick Coleman welcomes the guests at the reception.

Below:

1. Mr. Patrick Coleman welcomes the Deputy Prime Minister for European Policies Coordination and Institutional Affairs and Minister of Education and Science - Mrs. Meglena Kuneva.

2. Mr. Patrick Coleman with Mrs. Martina Strong, deputy head of the US mission in Bulgaria

3. With the mayor of the town of Chepelare - Mrs. Slavka Chakurova

4. With HE Mr. Yuri Isakov - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Bulgaria

5. With H.E. Mr. Shpend Kallaba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kosovo in Bulgaria