“God bless the Irish and God bless Ireland.”
World leaders across the globe have sent Ireland their St Patrick’s Day greetings.
The Irish Foreign Ministry have posted a video to their Twitter in which leaders including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pass on their best wishes to our country.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Kate also feature in the clip, during which the former tries his hand as Gaeilge.
In the video, William said: “We were so thrilled to be able to visit Ireland just over a year ago, a few short weeks before all of our lives were turned upside down by the pandemic.”
“We know that for Irish people all around the world today won’t be the same as normal, but we hope you can celebrate safely in any case.”
Kate added: “The warm welcome that we received everywhere was a testament to the friendship between our two countries, and the strength of the relationship between the UK and Ireland.”
Canadian PM Trudeau discussed the contributions Irish people have made and continue to make in Canada.
He said: “Irish culture and heritage has long been part of our Canadian fabric. Thomas D’Arcy McGee, one of our founding fathers, emigrated from Ireland.
“Since then, millions of Irish people have found a home here in Canada, helping us become a diverse and inclusive country, we know and love.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pointed out, meanwhile, that one third of Australia has an ancestral connection to Ireland.
He said Ireland has “influenced the soul” of Australia, adding: “Your joy and compassion, resilience and willingness to have a laugh at the absurd and yourself is something you’ve passed on to all of us, especially here in Australia.
“We know that better days are ahead and we know there is a time for everything under the heavens and there will again be a time to laugh, and a time to dance and a time to heal not too soon from now.
“So God bless the Irish and God bless Ireland.”
We have a saying in the Irish language: ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine’
Meaning we live in each other’s shadows.
It speaks to the interdependence of our world
Thank you to friends around the? for these special #StPatricksDay greetings #GRMA
#GlobalIreland ?? pic.twitter.com/XHlB7sAxkp
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) March 17, 2021
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