CELEBRATING THE GOOD PEOPLE OF IRELAND

Ben Hamilton

The one thing they got wrong in ‘The Banshees of Insherin’, the charming Irish film that will most likely end up winning no Oscars come Sunday, is the landlord.

He’s mostly forgettable and in awe of his regulars – nothing more than a glorified barman. Maybe this was intentional and an accurate representation of life on sleepy Irish islands in 1923.

But it’s not the impression you get visiting the Irish pubs in Copenhagen, where the landlords are very often the lifeblood of the establishment.

Highly-skilled foreigners

From Tony at Kennedy’s and Naoise at the Shamrock Inn to Eamonn at Gravens Rand and Paul at Cafe Svejk, these guys are supremely gifted at what they do: it’s a pleasure to enjoy a drink in their company, so it’s no wonder so many regard these pubs as their second homes.

In fact, when we talk about highly-skilled foreigners, we should include the Irish landlords, as they are as valuable an export to Denmark as biodegradable plastic specialists.

Fact: nobody does landlording better than the Irish.

Great craic at The Globe

After all, doing something for 10,000 hours makes you an expert – although you would imagine most of them get a headstart and put in overtime – and in the case of Globe landlord Brian McKenna, it has been 25 years since he opened the doors of his establishment.

We caught up with him (see pages 4-5) to find out what the pub has planned for St Patrick’s Day, along with a few anecdotes about the stunning interior and how the Globe managed to mark the big day during the COVID-19 lockdown.

To watch Brian at work – the best barman this side of the Mississippi, apparently – is always a privilege: proof again that landlording is an artform we should cherish.

Another overlooked profession? Talking of artforms, it’s worth asking whether improv performers get the recognition they deserve – compared to actors, dancers or even stand-up comedians.

In this issue we interview Sarah McGillion (pages 6-7), the Irish founder of SuperCut, an improv group who are in fact performing on St Patrick’s Day, although that might be a coincidence!

Sarah confesses to only having one Irish friend in Denmark and didn’t really sound too confident when she said she thought they played Gaelic football in Copenhagen. Well, hopefully Sarah, you might learn more about the Irish community when you read this supplement!

Huge rise in popularity

For over 20 years now, the Irish community have been working industriously to make St Patrick’s Day the number one national feast day in Copenhagen.

The efforts of the organisers of the Parade (see page 8) and 3-legged Race (pages 10-11), along with the Irish pubs, have turned the day into a major draw for Copenhagen, as every year thousands flock here from all over Europe to join in with the fun.

It’s also an opportunity to sell Ireland as a fabulous holiday destination (see pages 12-15).

Shoutout for the actresses!

Coming full circle, ‘The Banshees of Insherin’ has no fewer than four performance nominations (none of them will win) in what is a breakout year for Irish acting.

But while the prowess of Ireland’s men in the field is well documented, did you know that in recent years the women have started to give them a pretty decent run for their money (pages 16-17).

It’s another reminder that Ireland’s most successful export is neither Guinness nor its whiskey, but its people.

I am delighted to have been appointed recently as the new Irish Ambassador to Denmark.

I look forward very much to meeting with the Irish community over the weeks and months ahead. I know that the community is vibrant and thriving, and that it includes a wide range of interests and activities. I would like to pay tribute to the various groups, organisations, and individuals who work so hard to nurture and promote Irish interests, culture and heritage right across Denmark. During my time here, I hope to visit the different regions, cities and towns to meet with as many of you as possible. In addition to the many Irish people who have been in Denmark for some time, I would also like to extend a welcome to all those who have arrived here more recently.

Relations between Denmark and Ireland go back many centuries – including to Viking times. Our two countries share many similarities, and the political, economic, social, cultural and people-to-people ties are very strong. In these challenging times, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and increased geopolitical tensions, we need friends more than ever, and there is true friendship between our two countries. It is a privilege and an honour to represent Ireland in Denmark, and I look forward to nurturing and developing the excellent bilateral relationship, as well as serving Irish citizens.

As Ireland’s National Day, St Patrick’s Day is a time of celebration in Ireland and for all those of Irish descent and affinity around the world: an opportunity to share Irish culture and heritage. The Irish family certainly does not begin and end on the shores of our small island! I would like to congratulate the Irish community in Denmark for their hard work organising the wonderful series of events this year, where music, dancing, and face-painting are all available! Together with the team at the Embassy, I look forward to celebrating with our Irish, Danish and international friends, and I hope to participate in as many of the events as possible throughout the course of the day.

2023 is an important year for Ireland, as it includes three significant anniversaries.

It marks 100 years of our membership of the international community and our work to promote democracy, peace and security. We have just completed a very busy two-year term as an elected member of the UN Security Council, where our work was underpinned by three core principles: building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and ensuring accountability. Nowhere has the importance of accountability been more obvious than in Russia’s ongoing brutal aggression against Ukraine. Having just marked the first anniversary of the invasion, Ireland continues to stand firmly with Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

2023 also marks 50 years of our membership of the European Union – an anniversary that we share with Denmark, which joined the then-European Economic Community (EEC) together with Ireland back in 1973. This shared experience has allowed the ties between our two countries to flourish and develop, as witnessed by the many people from each country living, working, studying or holidaying in the other. Ireland is proud to have contributed to the development of today’s European Union, with the EU in turn having helped to create the prosperous and progressive Ireland of today. There is no doubt that the global challenges we face can only be addressed together.

And 2023 also marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement – an opportunity to celebrate what was a transformative moment for everyone on the island of Ireland, bringing peace and resetting relationships. There have been challenges along the way, but the Good Friday Agreement remains the foundation on which modern Northern Ireland sits and the framework through that change can be navigated.

Elizabeth McCullough Ambassador of Ireland to Denmark

We wish you all a very happy St Patrick’s Day!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! Glædelig Sankt Patrick’s dag!