Ireland India Council: Celebrating India Day in Partnership with the OPW since 2015

Established in 2015 by the Ireland India Council (IIC) in a collaborative partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW), An Garda Síochána, civic bodies, and Indian agencies, India Day in Ireland has grown into a significant event celebrating the deep cultural, economic, and social ties between Ireland and India. This annual event vividly reflects the enduring relationship between the two nations, founded on shared values of freedom, friendship, and mutual respect.

Cultural Exchange and Integration
India Day serves as a dynamic platform for promoting Indian culture, heritage, and traditions within the Irish community. By fostering cultural exchange and encouraging integration, the event contributes to the creation of a multicultural society where mutual understanding and appreciation thrive.

Celebration of Freedom
India Day, held in conjunction with India's Independence Day on 15 August, is a powerful celebration of freedom. It commemorates India’s journey to independence and provides the Indian diaspora in Ireland with an opportunity to honour their national heritage. This celebration of freedom resonates profoundly with the Irish people, who share a similar historical struggle for independence, thereby reinforcing the shared values of liberty and self-determination between the two nations.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations
India Day plays a pivotal role in highlighting and strengthening the bilateral relationship between Ireland and India. By showcasing the contributions of the Indian community to Irish society, the event underscores the positive impact of these ties on both countries, facilitating discussions on trade, investment, education, and collaboration.

Community Building
For the Indian community in Ireland, India Day is an invaluable occasion to come together, celebrate their roots, and cultivate a strong sense of community. It also provides an important opportunity for younger generations to connect with their cultural heritage, ensuring that the rich traditions of India continue to flourish abroad.

Promotion of Friendship
The celebration of India Day also underscores the strong and growing friendship between Ireland and India. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, the event strengthens the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two nations, promoting unity and cooperation through cultural exchange, economic partnerships, and people-to-people connections.

Cultural Diplomacy
India Day functions as a form of cultural diplomacy, enhancing the image of India in Ireland and showcasing the country's soft power through its cultural richness, diversity, and the success stories of Indians in Ireland. This celebration of freedom and friendship makes India Day not only a significant occasion for celebrating Indian culture but also for strengthening the enduring relationship between Ireland and India.

Distinguished Participation
Over the years, India Day has been honoured by the presence of numerous distinguished personalities from the Irish government, including:

• 2015: Ms Joan Burton, TD, Tánaiste

• 2016: Ms Frances Fitzgerald, TD, Tánaiste, and Mr Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Health

• 2017: Ms Frances Fitzgerald, TD, Tánaiste, and Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD, Ceann Comhairle

• 2018: Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD, Ceann Comhairle

• 2019: Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD, Ceann Comhairle

• 2020 (Online): Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD, Ceann Comhairle; Mr Charles Flanagan, TD, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; and Mr Frank Feighan, TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing, and National Drugs Strategy

• 2021 (Online): Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD, Ceann Comhairle, and Mr Seán Fleming, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance

• 2022: Mr Labhrás Ó Murchú, Senator, and Mr Joe O’Reilly, Senator

• 2023: Mr Leo Varadkar, TD, Taoiseach

From the Indian side, government representatives and the Ambassador of India have participated in most years, underscoring the event's importance as a bridge between the two nations.

Exclusive Rights and Integrity
"India Day" in Ireland, conceived and organised by the Ireland India Council, has its trade/domain/business names duly registered, with all exclusive rights held by the Council. Recently, it has come to our attention that images from our website have been copied and used by certain individuals and entities to misrepresent our work, seeking to gain legitimacy from public representatives and Irish authorities. Any unauthorised use of our photos from previous events and such misrepresentations constitutes a serious breach. The Ireland India Council reserves the right to take appropriate action against these violations.

India Day in Ireland has become a landmark event, attracting people from diverse backgrounds and serving as a testament to the strong and growing relationship between these two nations. Through this celebration, the Ireland India Council continues to build bridges between cultures, fostering a deeper connection between Ireland and India.