Honouring Irish Peacekeepers in Pristina - St Patrick's Day Medal Ceremony

On 14 March, Ambassador Almqvist was honoured to address a medal ceremony in Kosovo, recognising members of our Defence Forces serving as peacekeepers there, under the leadership of Col. Brendan Norton. Accompanied by KFOR Chief of Staff Clark, the Ambassador began noting that:

‘‘As Thomas Meagher affirmed in 1848, the white at the centre of our tricolour ‘‘signifies a lasting truce between the orange and the green’’ traditions on our island. The work of peace has always been at the core of our country. And in the DNA of our Defence Forces.

Since 1958, not a day has passed when the sky blue helmets of UN peacekeepers did not carry a sprig of Irish green.

As President John F Kennedy observed, addressing the Parliament of his ancestral home in 1963, ‘‘From Cork to the Congo, from Galway to the Gaza Strip, from this legislative assembly to the United Nations, Ireland is sending its most talented men to do the world's most important work—the work of peace.’’ That is the work you do here in KFOR. That is the work for which we send some of our most talented men – and women. As Ambassador, I could not be prouder of their efforts.’’

Observing that, as we gathered in peace in Pristina, elsewhere bombs were falling in conflict, the Ambassador continued:

‘‘Over 300 colleagues, compatriots and friends of Colonel Norton and his contingent hold the blue line from Camp Shamrock in Lebanon. From where, earlier this week, they rushed to the aid of injured Ghanaian UNIFIL counterparts. Some of the Irish contingent here will be deployed themselves to that mission soon. The risks they face are very real. As are the risks facing all peacekeepers. On this St Patrick’s Day in Pristina, we commend their courage. And hold in our hearts the families they – like all of you – have left at home.’’

On this St Patrick’s Day, and every day, we salute those wearing the green, protecting peace, and promoting Ireland’s values and interests across the world.

The full transcript of the Ambassador’s remarks are available below.