Ambassador Jim Hennessy, Maria Carey with Sophie and Niamh, and Gerard Winstanley. Photos: Janice Dunn PhotographyAmbassador Jim Hennessy, Maria Carey with Sophie and Niamh, and Gerard Winstanley. Photos: Janice Dunn Photography

Irish Ambassador Jim Hennessy hosted distinguished guests to Ireland’s National Day reception at the Hilton Malta.

The event included the European premiere of Seamus Heaney’s poem, Anything Can Happen, musically arranged by Michelle Paris and performed by pianist Joanne Camilleri and soprano Gabrielle Sargent.

Mr Hennessy spoke about Ireland’s economic recovery, with bond yields falling to 2.97 per cent, renewed confidence by businesses, investors and global markets and the strong bilateral relations between Malta and Ireland.

He thanked Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech, Foreign Minister George Vella and Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg for the support shown during Ireland’s EU presidency.

The Ambassador praised Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louis Coleiro Preca for launching the Family Resources Services with Irish partners.

He said Ireland looked forward to working with Environment Minister Leo Brincat on the green economy together with Stefan Buontempo, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, and Edward Duca on Horizon 2020, the new European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

“During the Irish Presidency, we highlighted blue maritime growth as one of the main priorities for jobs using EU funds from 2014-2020. Such growth can focus on coastal development and sustainable maritime tourism,” Mr Hennessy added.

Irish professor Richard O’Kennedy will be speaking at the Gozo Science Festival this month and Dublin-based post-production film company EGG will be present at the launch of Maltese movie Simshar after Easter.

There was a special mention of the University of Malta business students who recently visited Dublin, Din l-Art Ħelwa’s Bir Miftuħ May festival, which featured the Irish Academy trio and The Priests concert last June. The restoration of the organ at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral by Irish firm Kenneth Jones was superb.

There will be a tour to Ireland from September 18-25, which is being organised by the Irish Emerald Society. The Ambassador also launched the You Tube link #IrelandInspires.

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