President Michael D Higgins shared a heartfelt St Patrick's Day message in which he addressed the pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Irish President mentioned the efforts of front line workers and communities alike during the height of Covid-19.
President Higgins began his annual St Patrick's Day message with: “Today, on our national feast day, we join together in whatever may be our circumstances, vulnerabilities or diversities to recall all those lessons that we, across the generations, have drawn as inspiration from our reflections on the life of St. Patrick, our national Patron Saint.
“Wherever they may be, Irish people gather to celebrate the rich culture and heritage that speaks so profoundly of a shared past.”
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In relation to the pandemic over the last two years, he said: “We Irish found ourselves invoking some of the most basic values embodied in the story of St. Patrick – values such as solidarity, care, kindness and compassion.
“It was inspiring and moving to see how our people sought to respond. These are values that the migrant Patrick could see as serving all humanity.
“It is our shared hope that we are beginning to emerge from the dark shadow of the pandemic, and we can do so in the knowledge that we, as a society, had workers that sought to give meaning to those most important values, by walking shoulder to shoulder with those suffering.”
Addressing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Higgins said: “They are also the values that must lie at the heart of any true spirit of global citizenship. A dark shadow has now been cast across our world as we witness the unfolding events in Ukraine.
“I know that the hearts of Irish people and Irish communities across the world go out to all of those who are suffering from this completely unacceptable, immoral and unjustified, invasion and violence to their lives.
“Our greatest hope for a future of hope and peace springs from the open hearts and doors of those saying ‘tar isteach’, come in.
“Let us, as one human family connected through our shared heritage, join with all those who stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they struggle to protect their right to live in freedom, security and peace.
Higgins called for an “immediate ceasefire, respect for humanitarian law, and the withdrawal of Russian troops” in Ukraine, a nation that has shown “such courage, resilience and love of their country”.
He also asked people to extend unity and friendship "to all those whom we share this planet".
"Every year, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we join together as one global Irish family united by a shared heritage, history and culture. We do not allow boundaries and distance to stand in our way, but reach across them generously in a spirit of unity and friendship. We have a better future to make together," he said.
President Higgins called on Irish people to uphold the values of St Patrick of “solidarity and a shared sense of humanity”. He ended the message by calling on us to allow for peace.
He said: “As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2022, may I wish again all those who share this island, all those Irish people by birth or descent wherever they may be in the world, and all those fellow global citizens who consider themselves to be friends of Ireland, a very happy and peaceful day.”
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