St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is Ireland's national day and a time of celebration for Irish people and all those of Irish descent and affinity around the world. It is a great time for Ireland to engage with and thank long-standing partners, friends and Irish communities for their ongoing support and contribution they make overseas.

Each year during the St Patricks Day celebrations, hundreds of iconic monuments and structures around the world are lit up green as part of the "Global Greening". This highlights both the friendship Ireland has with many countries, as well as the beautiful structures which exist around the world. In Ethiopia, the Embassy has greened the Axum stellae, an Ethiopian Airlines Airbus, the Addis Ababa Ligth Railway and the Lion Monument at the National Theatre.

St. Patrick's Day also gives us a valuable opportunity to show the world the very best of our culture.

St Patrick’s Day in Ethiopia

Every year around the 17th of March the Irish community in Ethiopia organises a St Patricks Day Ball, attracting over 600 guests to enjoy Irish music, great food and dancing into the night. Apart from being one of the best social events of the year in Addis Ababa, the purpose of the Ball is to raise much needed funds for local charities. In past years, the Irish community has contributed significant amounts to various charities through the Ball.