Business leaders, dignitaries and a host of travel industry professionals invested in selling the Emerald Isle gathered yesterday for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Of course, St. Patrick’s Day was on Sunday, but that didn’t matter to the lively group assembled at One King West Hotel in downtown Toronto for the St. Patrick’s Business Leaders Reception.

The guest of honour, Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence, was joined by H.E. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, and Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy to celebrate the strong ties between Ireland and Toronto’s business community.

Also in attendance were Sandra Moffatt, Country Manager, Canada for Tourism Ireland (and Chair – European Travel Commission, Canada) and her team members, as well as representatives from Air Canada, Collette, the ETC, Royal Irish Tours, Virtuoso and more.

In Dublin, thousands revelled in the energy and excitement of the much-loved St Patrick’s Festival as a colourful parade animated the city streets to celebrate Ireland’s national day in a celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage. Half a million spectators lined this year’s route in Dublin, for a parade that encompassed 18 pageants and performance showpieces, 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over 4,000 participants. Armagh, Belfast, Cork, Derry-Londonderry, Killarney, Waterford, Kilkenny, Enniskillen and Sligo all staged St Patrick’s Festivals over the weekend as well.

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world by the 80 million who claim links to Ireland.

Photo: The guest of honour at the St. Patrick’s Business Leaders Reception in Toronto, Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD

Source: Travelweek