Billy Cantwell advises against wincing at Ireland’s symbolic dominance, emphasising instead the need to nurture it. The world first witnessed the Sydney Opera House cloaked in green light to commemorate St Patrick’s Day in 2010, a ceremony unexpectedly disrupted by the unanticipated docking of a massive cruise ship that obscured the associated official event’s view. Quick on their feet, adept minds conceived solutions and stirred actions. To the amazement of onlookers, the ship relocated the length of Grafton Street, providing an unhindered vista of the spectacle, thanks to intervention of a New South Wales government Hibernophile. This swiftly demonstrated the reach of Ireland’s gentle but firm influence.
This influential force will warmly welcome Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to the White House, a yearly tradition that ignites a cultural unease among some. Despite being regarded as kitsch by detractors, the simple bowl-of-shamrock ceremony signifies an extent of diplomatic clout many nations, Australia included, would unhesitatingly seize.
This discomfort might hark back to a period when Ireland, lacking in cultural confidence, was desperate for external approval. Or it could suggest a residual awkwardness regarding the imagined romanticised perceptions from its diaspora. However, the reality is that Ireland, for a few days of the year, maintains an impression of a global powerhouse – an impressive feat for a small nation. For it to refrain from global diplomatic tours in March might please some domestic quarters, but would represent a wasted chance and a blunder.
Though never longing for its own empire, Ireland has inadvertently cultivated one. As Paul Keating, Australian Prime Minister in 1993, verbalised during his speech to the Dáil, Ireland arguably holds a distinctive place in the minds of other nations. This is the true potency of St Patrick’s Day. It’s a day when world warmly recognises the Irish, a sentiment grounded in affection and not politics. This international fondness is the result of generations of progress, a present from history, and a testament to the poignant legacy of conversion.
Australia could serve as an ideal model for Ireland in terms of cultural, economic, and political advancement. The forthcoming launch of the latest Irish consulate in Melbourne underscores this, although Australian-Irish relations may require more attention from the Irish diplomatic centre – Iveagh House.
Fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between Australia and Ireland is propelled both by efficient considerations and emotional connections. It’s estimated that almost a third of Australians have some Irish ancestry – a fact humorously remarked upon by Australian comedian John Doyle, who noted the surprise Irish similarity on his maiden trip to Ireland.
Australia, ranking as the world’s twelfth largest economy, sits in the world’s rapid growth region. However, managing this relationship is more than just a chance to enhance Ireland’s economic interests, as demonstrated by the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Ireland should focus on sustaining these relationships, not only in exploiting them.
St Patrick’s Day is a vibrant celebration of Irish identity. Amidst a growing wave of intense xenophobia, the possibility of having this national celebration co-opted by a narrow, exclusionist interpretation of Irish identity is concerning. Keeping the spirit of inclusivity alive during this annual celebration is vital, making sure the world continues to harbour goodwill towards Ireland.
This year, due to budgetary constraints, Sydney’s iconic Opera House won’t be illuminated in green light. This is not an insult, just a decision made with economic considerations, coupled with Tourism Ireland’s decision to cut down on the illumination of buildings amidst energy crises. Should an Irish dilemma arise, Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister – who holds Irish roots – might receive a call.
Billy Cantwell, the deputy opinion editor at the Sydney Morning Herald, was also the founding editor of Australia’s Irish newspaper, The Irish Echo.
With a rise of adverse nationalism across Europe, it’s crucial for Ireland to be cautious of the image it projects globally.
It’s not uncommon to underscore the significant soft power Ireland yields, which is disproportionately large compared to its size. The Economist theorises that, per capita, Ireland could arguably be the most diplomatically influential nation across the globe. Factors such as successful reputation rebuilding post the financial crisis, progressive outcomes of the marriage and abortion referendums in the 2010s, along with the sights set on Ireland by Irish-American enthusiasts and Joe Biden’s pronounced fondness for Ireland have all contributed towards Ireland having a fruitful moment on the world’s stage.
St Patrick’s Day remains the pinnacle of Ireland’s ongoing efforts to portray its positive image globally each year. Interestingly, it’s not Dublin that holds the spotlight when we speak about St Patrick’s Day, but the United States, with its New York parade, the Chicago river being painted green, the Taoiseach’s privileged access to the president of the US, the shamrock exchange, and even Bono’s peculiar 2022 poem. Ireland’s version of the event, revelrous Dublin streets and local tractor parades, appears to be a diluted version of the holiday’s true essence. This reflects not only the triumphant Irish diaspora and the tenacity of the Irish-American political fabric, but also signifies that St Patrick’s Day is essentially a worldwide promotional occasion, and for the time being, a notably successful one.
It’s quite rare for a country’s national day to hold such extraordinary global attention. For instance, the First Minister of Wales doesn’t receive lavish hospitality in Washington DC on St David’s Day. This is diplomacy based on good vibes: shamrocks, green ties, poems, the rhythm of the Dropkick Murphys, and the congenial belief about Ireland being a land of amiable inhabitants. Despite the lack of subtleties, St Patrick’s Day has had a remarkable run at spreading a favourable image of Ireland, so much so that the country’s flaws are overshadowed. It’s amusing how Ireland is applauded for granting full reproductive rights to women only as late as in 2018, while the fact that it took it this long is overlooked, thanks to the country’s potent appeal.
There’s a persuasive argument for St Patrick’s Day to be seen as a clever but quite shrewd political ploy for Ireland. It is beneficial that Biden wholeheartedly identifies himself as Irish and the Democrats view peace in Northern Ireland as part of their historical achievements. Nevertheless, their readiness to revel in the outlandish and somewhat tacky illustrations of national cliche every 17th March isn’t shared by the rest of the world. An emerald-hued river might be adored in Chicago, but it would likely incite frustration, and even fury, in London. Thus, Ireland needs to remember on its national day: the American mindset does not mirror the global conscience.
Remembering Dropkick Murphy, the spirited medic praised by the rebellious and inebriated
For instance, St Patrick’s Day disorderly slips by in London, with little acknowledgement. Ireland does not feature significantly in the mentality nor the political landscape. This remains factual even considering millions of expats, many having far closer ties than the casual Irish-American. London isn’t a city which has ever well-suited the reinforcement of any national identity. Regardless of the fondness of the Americans, Ireland isn’t singled out.
Achieving full diplomatic victory mandates that Ireland tailor its public relations strategy to the disposition of the location. Exuberant exhibitions of nationalism aren’t inherent to the English, as erroneously assumed by many in Ireland. Brexit, for instance, could hardly be considered a nationalistic venture, and St George’s Day isn’t even a public holiday. Manifestations of English identity are elusive – missing a counterpart to Ireland’s green shamrocks and harps. Engaging English subtlety requires a different approach from Ireland on its national day: a tamely assertive expression of civilised nationalism reflecting the nation’s cosmopolitan and equitable viewpoint.
This stands in sharp contrast to the adoption of the Irish-American political customs seen with Biden. But in order to resonate with Britain, Ireland must align with the British mindset. With the surge of petty nationalism across Europe, Ireland must carefully contemplate the image it broadcasts; an ostentatious, narrow, and clichéd representation of itself has become passé in contemporary fashion dynamics.
Finn McRedmond, a columnist at the Irish Times, provides commentary.
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