Ireland India Council: Celebrating India Day in Partnership with the OPW since 2015 Click To Read More >
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.
India Day 2024
India Day is one of the largest India-related events in Ireland, a confluence of Irish and Indian cultures. It is packed with music and dance programmes from both countries, cultural representations, fashion shows, food and a handicraft fair. With programmes ranging from Irish songs to classical music and Bollywood dance, India Day is an audio-visual treat for connoisseurs of all genres.
India Day strives to create awareness about the two countries' rich culture, heritage, values and traditions through India Day. India Day is a celebration of Freedom and Irish-Indian friendship.
Please join us on this year's India Day on Sunday 18 August 2024 at Farmleigh House and Estate, White's Rd, Phoenix Park, Dublin 15, D15 TD50.
All are welcome, entry is free, but you need to Register Now
Explore the 10th India Day Launch Gallery
We invite you to browse through the gallery below and relive the vibrant and joyous moments of the launch event. Each photo captures the spirit of unity, celebration, and cultural richness that defines India Day.
As we reflect on this beautiful beginning, we eagerly look forward to the main celebration. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating the rich cultural diversity that makes India Day a truly special occasion!
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
Highlights
India Day 2023 Video Report
NEWS RELEASE
Dublin 22 July,
H.E. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle (Speaker Lower House of Parliament), officially launched the 8th edition of India Day in the presence of Senator Joe O'Reilly, Leas-Chathaoirleach (Deputy Chairman of Seanad), Cllr. Joanna Tuffy, Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Michael Clark, An Leas Chathaoirleach, Terence Jude Dick, Second Secretary Embassy of India.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl complimented the contribution of the Indian community to the Irish economy and culture and congratulated the Ireland India Council and OPW for continuous growth and making it an annual feature of the Irish calendar.
The Chairman of Ireland India Council, Prashant Shukla, welcomed the guests and highlighted the theme "Celebration of Freedom & Irish Indian Friendship". India Day will showcase India's diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, craft and technological wonders and Indian cuisine and a networking opportunity.
The Irish Indian business community attended the launch, including children in ethnic dresses. Meath, Cavan, and Laois representatives also took part in the launch.
The vibrant and colourful India Day launch was organised by Ireland India Council and hosted and facilitated by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
All are welcome to attend India Day in the beautiful Farmleigh House and Estate on 21 August 2022. Free tickets are available on www.irelandindiacouncil.ie, www.indiaday.ie and https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/india-day-tickets-369165452807
For further details, log in to our webpage: www.indiaday.ie and www.irelandindiacouncil.ie or contact us at 01-4131241, Mobile 0877748566 or Email at info@irelandindiacouncil.ie.
Note for Editors:
Ireland-India Council has been organising India Day in Dublin since 2015 to celebrate India's Independence. The annual event is held at Farmleigh House and Estate in collaboration with OPW, An Garda Síochána, and Civic Bodies besides the Indian diaspora.
The Ireland India Council is a leading organisation established in 2002. The Council is working to strengthen the existing relationship and promote understanding among the Irish Indian communities, business leaders, universities and institutions of Ireland and India. The Council brings the present and future leaders, intellectuals and diplomats from our two countries and lays the groundwork for future cooperation.
India Day 2021
Enjoy the highlights if you missed it
India Day 2020
Enjoy the highlights if you missed it
India Day 2019
Enjoy the glimpses of the event
India Day 2018
India Day 2017
India Day 2016
India Day 2015
India Day Steering Committee
Prashant Shukla
Chair
Duncan Stewart
Member
Forum Thakker
Member
Joji Abraham
Member
Divisha Mohan
Member
Johnny Holmes
Member
Damien Nee
Member
Amanda Wilkinson
Member
Sailesh Burada
Member