Embassy of Ireland Sofia

We have some differing views on doing social media here at the Embassy...
We had to jump on the trend!

Also a reminder to everyone, tomorrow we host our second session of Gaelic Games and would love to see you there!

Join us at Rakovski Stadium for a fun, interactive training session and second introduction to Gaelic football and Hurling.

When: 15:00, 16 May 2026 (Saturday)
Where: Rakovski Stadium, Ivan Vazov, Sofia.

The Embassy was delighted to take part in the Our Home Europe initiative by Art4Diplomacy’s Dr. Petya Ilieva, a great project that showcases the history, culture, knowledge, achievements, and bonds of Europe’s family of nations.

We at the Embassy recently marked Europe Day by acknowledging the ideals that brought a continent together — peace, cooperation, and a shared future. Marked each year on 9 May, it commemorates the Schuman Declaration, the visionary proposal that laid the foundations for what would later become the European Union.

More than 1,400 years ago, Ireland’s Saints and Scholars made important contributions to the understanding of a shared European identity. Perhaps most significantly, Irish monk St Columbanus wrote of a community that transcended borders and kingdoms, reflecting an early vision of Europe united by common values and cultural bonds. So influential was Columbanus’ legacy that Robert Schuman himself later described him as “the patron saint of all those who seek to construct a united Europe.”

As we prepare for Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU in just a few months, we felt is an opportune moment to remember Ireland’s over millennium-old contributions to shaping the European agenda! Our panels depict
1. The Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin, which houses the Book of Kells.
2. A page from the Gospel of Matthew in the Book of Kells.
📖📖📖
Посолството на Ирландия с удоволствие взе участие в инициативата „Нашият дом Европа“ на д-р Петя Илиева от Art4Diplomacy – чудесен проект, който представя историята, културата, постиженията и връзките на европейското семейство от народи.
Наскоро в посолството отбелязахме Деня на Европа, като изразихме признателност към идеалите, които обединиха един континент – мир, сътрудничество и споделено бъдеще. Отбелязван всяка година на 9 май, той напомня за Декларацията на Шуман – визионерското предложение, което постави основите на това, което по-късно ще стане Европейски съюз.
Преди повече от 1400 години, ирландските светци и учени са направили важен принос за разбирането на споделената европейска идентичност. Може би най-значимият принос е, че ирландският монах Свети Колумбан е писал за общност, която надхвърля граници и кралства, отразявайки ранна визия за Европа, обединена от общи ценности и културни връзки. Наследството на Колумбан е толкова влиятелно, че самият Роберт Шуман по-късно го описва като „светец-покровител на всички, които се стремят да изградят обединена Европа“.
Докато се подготвяме за поемането на председателството на Съвета на ЕС от страна на Ирландия само след няколко месеца, сметнахме, че е подходящ момент да спомним за над хилядолетния принос на Ирландия за оформянето на европейския дневен ред! Нашите панели изобразяват
1. Дългата зала в Старата библиотека в Тринити Колидж, Дъблин, която съхранява Книгата от Келс.
2. Страница от Евангелието на Матей в Книгата от Келс.

Happy Europe Day from the Embassy of Ireland, Bulgaria! 🇪🇺 🇮🇪
This day celebrates the peace and unity of Europe, commemorating each year the Schuman Declaration. This Declaration is widely regarded as the most important proposal of a unified European Community, one which would go on to become the European Union we know and love today. It symbolizes the birth of Europe as a political entity and the elimination of conflict between Europe's nations.

Did you know...
Ireland played a pivotal role in the formulation of a united European identify?
Its true! Ireland's St Columbanus, writing in the late sixth century, recognized the shared spiritual identity of Europeans - an identity that superseded national allegiance:

"we are all joint members of one body, whether Franks or Britons or Irish or whatever our race be."

Just weeks after the Schuman Declaration, Robert Schuman commemorated the 1400th anniversary of the Columbanus by declaring him "the patron saint of all those who seek to construct a united Europe"!

The role played by Ireland's Saints and Scholars will be celebrated in an upcoming event in Sofia... keep your eyes pealed! 👀🤫

Disappointed you missed your initial opportunity to show off your skills on the GAA pitch? Worry not!

The Embassy of Ireland is delighted to host our second Demonstration of Gaelic Games in Sofia! Join us at Rakovski Stadium for a fun, interactive training session and second introduction to Gaelic football and Hurling.

Join us and bring your positive vibes (and boots)!
When: 15:00, 16 May 2026 (Saturday)
Where: Rakovski Stadium, Ivan Vazov, Sofia.

If you wish to confirm your attendance, please let us know by email at [email protected]

And that's a wrap!

As Ambassador to Armenia, Ambassador Bannon has been busy the last week helping organise Ireland's Taoiseach's visit to Armenia and attendance at the 8th European Political Community Summit 🇮🇪 🇦🇲 🇪🇺

This was a pivotal occasion for Armenia, Ireland and the EU, who engaged with important topics, including:

• Strengthening democratic resilience,
• Advancing connectivity,
• Reinforcing economic and energy security,
• Addressing evolving security dynamics and regional challenges.

As the upcoming holders of the EU Presidency, and the host of the next EPC Summit, Ireland had a great opportunity to learn from Armenia and deepen our bilateral relations.

The Embassy was also delighted to attend the 2026 Yerevan Dialogue, where topics like sustainable development, improving connectivity, AI implications, EU Enlargement and the road map to peace were discussed.

Congratulations to Armenia for hosting a successful EU-Armenia Summit, the EPC Summit and the Yerevan Dialogue.

We were delighted to attend the 22nd edition of Sofia Underground Festival last night, and see the many great performances and works on show on Day 3.

A particular treat was Ireland-based Deej Fabyc's main hall performance, which was supported by Irish performance artists Lauren Kelly and Frances Mezzetti. These artist's participation was supported by Culture Ireland.

We encourage all those interested in contemporary and performance art to go 'Underground' at Krasno Selo Municipal Cultural Institute tonight for the last day of the Festival - where one can see Lauren Kelly's and Frances Mezzetti's main hall performances.

Ирландският писател, филмов критик и носител на „Букър“ за 2023 г Пол Линч ще закрие десетото издание на фестивала „Литературни срещи“. Разговорът с него ще бъде на 25 април от 19:00 ч. в City Stage, а модератор на срещата ще бъде българският литературен теоретик, критик, преподавател и преводач Димитър Камбуров.

The Irish writer, film critic, and winner of the 2023 Booker Prize Paul Lynch will close the tenth edition of Literary Talks Sofia. The conversation with him will take place this evening, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at City Stage, and will be moderated by Bulgarian literary theorist, critic, lecturer, and translator Dimitar Kamburov.

literarytalksbg.com

Тази вечер Дий Фабик ще вземата участие в 22-ро издание на фестивала София Ъндърграунд. Фабик е австралийски/британски пърформанс артист, куратор и организатор на изкуства, живееща в Ирландия, с над четири десетилетия международна практика, обхващаща пърформанс, инсталация, фотография и видео. В подземията на Общински културен институт „Красно село” Фабик ще представи своя нов аудио-визуален пърформанс. Във фестивала ще взематат участие и Лорън Кели и Франсис Мецети. Участието им е подкрепено от Ireland.

Tonight Deej Fabyc will take part in the 22nd edition of the Sofia Underground - International Performance Art Festival. They are an Australian/British performance artist, curator and arts organizer, living in Ireland, with over four decades of international practice spanning performance, installation, photography and video. In the basement of the Municipal Cultural Institute "Krasno Selo" they will present their new audio-visual performance. Also performing at the festival will be Lauren Kelly and Frances Mezzetti. The artists’ participation is supported by Culture Ireland.

Посланичката на Ирландия Катрин Банън откри вчера нова информационна табела на гроба на Джеймс Баучер. На церемонията присъства и игумена на Рилския манастир. Събитието беше заснето от режисьора Петър Гайтанджиев
и ще бъде част от новия му филм за Джеймс Баучер.

The Irish Ambassador Catherine Bannon unveiled a new plaque on the grave of James Bourchier yesterday. The ceremony was attended by the Abbot of the Rila Monastery. The event was filmed by director Petar Gaytandzhiev and will be part of his new film about James Bourchier.

Честит петък! Имате ли планове за уикенда? По-долу можете да видите вкусна рецепта за обяд. Комбинацията от свинско месо и ябълки е традиционен ирландски фаворит, който превръща всяка хапка в топъл, успокояващ празник на вкуса.
Опитайте!

Happy Friday! Do you have plans for the weekend? Below you can see a tasty recipe for lunch. The combination of pork and apples is a traditional Irish favourite that transforms every bite into a warm, comforting celebration of flavour.
Try it!

Bord Bia - Irish Food Board

Pork Chops Baked with Parsnips, Carrots and Apples The combination of pork and apples is a traditional favourite and together with the mustard and honey this is a mouth-watering, flavoursome dish.