Beijing's small Irish community of some 100 gathered at the Irish Embassy yesterday for a St Patrick's Day reception hosted by the Ambassador, Declan Kelleher, and his wife, Sigrun, their first national holiday in the Chinese capital, writes Clifford Coonan.
The Environment Minister Dick Roche was in Beijing for the event, part of a trip which also involved a meeting with his Chinese counterpart.
Dozens of Irish gathered last night in Beijing's new Irish bar, Paddy Field's, opened recently by Dubliner Willie Fingleton. The St Patrick's Day ball will take place tomorrow, an event that is the social highlight of the year for expats.
In Shanghai, the Blarney Stone pub was the focal point for activities, while Hong Kong celebrated its St Patrick's Society annual ball at the Grand Hyatt hotel last Saturday.
Various events were planned during the day in Hong Kong, starting with Mass at 9.30am at St Joseph's, followed by Irish coffee, then the laying of a wreath at the Cenotaph.
President meets Emperor Akihito
President Mary McAleese met Emperor Akihito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday.
She also celebrated St Patrick's Day at a party with the Irish community in Tokyo. Today she will visit the Irish Pavilion at the World Expo site in Negoya.
Maureen O'Hara is recognised
Veteran actress Maureen O'Hara has been honoured as "Irish-American of the Year" at a reception in New York, writes Seán O'Driscoll.
Ms O'Hara (84) flew in from her home in Arizona for the event and said she intended to follow her mother-in-law's example and live to 102.
The annual event, organised by Irish-America magazine, recognises 100 Irish-Americans who have contributed to American life in arts, politics, sports and community.
In her speech, Ms O'Hara recalled being the first person in America to be formally recognised as Irish by the US immigration officials, rather than British, as had been the norm before the foundation of the Irish Republic.