The Portuguese
and the Irish have more in common than you might think. It’s not just that they
inhabit small lands on Europe ’s western edge,
have a long Catholic history, revel in tradition and have a penchant for getting
themselves into terrible debt.
The Portuguese
and the English famously claim the world’s oldest alliance. Despite a fracas or
two along the way, this diplomatic accord has been in place for hundreds of
years.
It turns out,
however, that the Portuguese and the Irish have been rather more than just good
friends for thousands of years.
Recent scientific
research has all but banished the notion that the Irish are descendants of
Celtic people who migrated to the Emerald Isle from central Europe
during the Iron Age. DNA analyses suggest instead that the inhabitants of Ireland have a distinctive Atlantic heritage
shared with the Celtiberians of Portugal and Galicia
So it is
appropriate that this year’s ‘global greening’ celebration to mark Ireland ’s national day, March 17, in honour of
St Patrick, has been intensified in Portugal
For this the
sixth global greening, the number of iconic Portuguese landmarks flood-lit in
Ireland’s national colour has been increased from one to three: the statue of
the Duque da Terceira in central Lisbon, the monument of Christ the
King in Almada on the south bank of the Tagus, and the Palace Museum Condes de
Castro de Guimarães in Cascais.
The worldwide
total of 125 sites bathed in green in 25 countries includes the Coliseum in
Rome, the Sacré Coeur in Paris, the Empire State Building in New York, the
leaning Tower of Pisa, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, the Grimaldi Palace in
Monaco and Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro.
The lights came
on at sunset on the eve of St Patrick’s Day and will continue in some places,
including Cascais, until Saturday.
From long ago,
and at times due to severe domestic hardships much worse than Troika-imposed
austerity, Ireland
“More than 70
million people around the world claim links to the island
of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day is a
truly unique opportunity to reconnect them with their heritage,” said Anne
Webster, the Irish Ambassador to Lisbon
She pointed
out that amid all the colour and the craic, there was good reason to raise
glasses to Ireland
“Our economic recovery
has gained a strong momentum in the past 12 months, based on solid growth and
job creation, We had the fastest growing economy in the European Union in 2014,
with GDP growth of almost 5%, and we expect to retain this lead position in
2015.
“Unemployment
continues to fall from a peak of 15.1% to its current level of 10.1%. Export
levels are higher than before the crisis. Our public finances are now on a
stable and sustainable footing and we have access to normal financial market
funding, at record-low interest rates. Consumers, businesses, investors
and global markets have renewed confidence in our economic future.”
Cloaking historic
shrines in green makes good business sense too. As the newspaper Diário Ecinómico put it: “It’s an Irish
trademark which is seducing more and more countries - and tourists.”
Ambassador
Webster spoke of an international wave of media coverage, with images of
greened landmarks in print, TV, online publications and social media, having a
hugely important economic and tourism impact at a time when many are
planning their overseas holidays.
“This is a joyous
two-way process, as images of Lisbon
But the real
significance of the greening in Portugal is of even more fundamental
importance: “When you see the beautiful monuments of this region light the
night skies with their cloaks of sparkling green, I invite you to think of
Ireland, and of the strong bonds of history and friendship which unite our two
countries,” said Mrs Webster.
Lá Féile Padraig
oraibh go leir!
Happy St. Patrick’s day to all!
Ambassador Anne Webster and President Cavaco Silva
Palace Museum Condes de Castro de Guimarães
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