St. Patrick’s Day in Budapest

We were joined by several hundred distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Pecs, Attila Péterffy, Reverend Gábor Iványi, members of the diplomatic corps and senior Hungarian parliamentarians, officials, academics and artists.

The evening saw the opening of a new exhibition on Irish-Hungarian history, the unveiling of a stained glass masterwork ‘‘Hungary of the West’’, and the premiere of ‘‘the Dance of Danu’’, a specially commissioned collaboration between the Erin and the Bihari Janos Folk dance groups choreographed by Edina Rab, Jakubek Dorottya Zimboránné, Gábor Zimborán fusing Irish and Hungarian folk traditions.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Almqvist observed that ‘‘while 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Ireland and Hungary’s diplomatic relations… the course of our friendship, like the Danube, runs far deeper. Stretching back almost to the foundation of this great nation.’’ The current was propelled, he said, by people. ‘‘The Irish who’ve made Hungary home – and over this weekend and next, will celebrate St Patrick by dancing along the Danube, while raising millions for Hungary’s most vulnerable. The many Magyar who’ve moved to our shores – and those who returned, carrying our traditions with them. The scholars, artists and musicians who connect our cultures. The businesses like McHale, Pannonia Bio, and Kingspan, who employ thousands across both nations – and so generously sponsor our programmes. And, close to home, in some small but vital way, the team I’m privileged to lead.’’

Noting that "an Embassy may have an ambassador at its head, but local staff are its heart," he paid special tribute to Gabriella Fabian, and Zsuzsa Szokol who, having served Ireland for half a century between them, retired in recent weeks.

Recalling Ireland’s support for Hungary in 1956 and Ukraine today, he ended, raising a glass to the future: "To the Irish who’ve made Hungary home, to the Hungarians who’ve enriched our culture, and to the gallant peoples everywhere pressing for peace and fighting for freedom. Sláinte!"

We are grateful to all the many friends who joined us to celebrate that community and the ties between our peoples. Special köszönöm to our sponsors, Diageo, who provided Guinness and Baileys, Pernod Ricard for the Jameson whiskey, and Sullivan’s for their ale, brewed in Kilkenny with machinery made in Miskolc.

Sláinte! / Egészségedre!

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