In a world as fast-moving and unpredictable as the one we are navigating currently, it is nice to know there are lighthouses on the horizon and a few certainties on which we can depend.
One of those is that St Patrick’s Day, every March 17, is an occasion that Irish people and people of Irish heritage will be keen to mark worldwide, including here in South Africa. And for our small island, from which so many people emigrated throughout our history, this is a global acknowledgement of history, culture, connections and shared values.
Ireland does not take this for granted, ever. We are fortunate to have a national day that is enjoyed internationally and gives us an opportunity to share our story. But we know too that stories most resonate when the themes under discussion are universal, when the journey is within a world we can recognise, and when the arc of the narrative is ultimately hopeful. For Ireland, we believe all of this holds.
Ireland may feature near the top of the UN’s human development index today, but this was not always the case. We understand the challenges many countries face about hunger and poverty, not least in Africa, because these experiences were part of our history too.
And though Ireland’s story of sovereignty and independence is now more than 100 years old, it is only in the last half a century — and in the 53 years since we joined the EU, to be more precise — that our economy has grown exponentially and our society has become more tolerant, more equal and more inclusive.
It is these latter values, together with our commitment to human rights, international law and multilateralism, that we will champion if we succeed in our bid for membership of the UN’s Human Rights Council in 2027-29.
Ireland may feature near the top of the UN’s human development index today, but this was not always the case. We understand the challenges many countries face about hunger and poverty, not least in Africa, because these experiences were part of our history too.
The year 2026 is important for Ireland too. In July we will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU for just the eighth time in our history. For people in Ireland, these six-month periods in which we lead in steering the European agenda are etched into our memories — our sense of who and where we were at different moments in our history.
In Ireland, during our 1990 presidency, vital decisions were taken at the European level to smooth the path towards German reunification. During our presidency in 2004, the EU undertook its greatest expansion yet, increasing from 15 member states to 25 on May 1 that year.
Ireland will take on the mantle of the presidency in 2026 while global challenges have rarely looked so formidable. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has brought war to Europe, with continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s towns, cities and energy infrastructure.
For our part, Ireland unequivocally supports the brave men and women of Ukraine. We need to see a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. Russia’s brutal war is a challenge to European security and to our rules-based international system and is global in its impacts.
We welcome the US’s efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression and we support this intent, as we have South Africa’s efforts, including through the African Peace Initiative.
Ireland supports international law and UN
Regarding the conflict in Iran and the Gulf and Middle East, Ireland’s longstanding position is one of support for international law and the UN. Our priority now is to see urgent de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
Elsewhere in the region we welcome all good-faith efforts to implement the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. We will continue to work for a durable peace between Israelis and Palestinians with the implementation of a two-state solution at its core. This also means that in the West Bank we must see an end to settlement expansion, rising settler violence and mass displacement.
In Sudan, the scale and depravity of the horrors being inflicted on the civilian population should shock the conscience of us all. The international community must do more to end this appalling conflict. We must secure an immediate ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access. The suffering in Sudan is unconscionable and has gone on far too long.
None of this is easy work. We know from our own history, and the violence in Northern Ireland between the 1960s and 1990s, that conflict resolution is never straightforward or without difficult compromises. As the Irish poet WB Yeats said, “peace comes dropping slow”.
We also know that even countries that want peace must ensure they are ready to face threats from those who don’t. For Ireland, a militarily neutral country, this is why we have increased defence spending by 43% since 2020 and announced the most significant programme of capital investment in our defence forces in the history of our state. Our ambition is a safe and prosperous Ireland helping to shape a competitive and innovative Europe.
The economic indicators in Ireland are positive — unemployment is low, and the domestic economy is strong and growing. Ireland remains an open economy and home to the EU headquarters of many major international companies. They are choosing Ireland as a high-skilled, English-speaking gateway to an EU of 450-million citizens and consumers.
We also know that even countries that want peace must ensure they are ready to face threats from those who don’t. For Ireland, a militarily neutral country, this is why we have increased defence spending by 43% since 2020 and announced the most significant programme of capital investment in our defence forces in the history of our state.
Ireland has always played an active role in shaping the EU — just as Europe has so profoundly shaped Ireland — and we will prioritise strengthening the union’s competitiveness and deepening our EU single market during our presidency this year. This, after all, is a union in which Ireland feels very much at home. About 82% of Irish people support our EU membership, one of the highest figures for any EU member state.
As we mark St Patrick’s Day 2026, Ireland’s diversity and wide cultural reach resonate deeply with South Africa’s vibrant rainbow nation. Our two countries enjoy warm relations, forged in a shared struggle for justice, freedom and democracy, strengthened by our unwavering joint commitment to international peace and security — with the UN at its heart. This history provides a foundation of trust that shapes every facet of our partnership.
South Africa’s G20 presidency delivered a landmark 2025 Johannesburg Leaders’ Summit, highlighting global co-operation and collective responsibility. Ireland was deeply honoured by the invitation to participate as a guest nation. This was the first time the G20 convened on African soil, as well as Ireland’s first seat at the G20 table.
This gesture underscores the deep, enduring bonds between our two countries and our shared commitment to multilateralism and the power of international collaboration. Ireland is proud to stand with South Africa at this pivotal moment, as together we work to shape a future defined by solidarity, equality and sustainability.
Ireland and South Africa have arguably gained considerably within a rules-based trade and investment system. Looking ahead, there is undoubtedly potential to expand co-operation in innovation, digital transformation and research — key drivers of inclusive economic growth that will benefit our peoples for generations.
At a time of so much turbulence, there is strength in Irish stability. Predictability rarely makes for dramatic breaking news — but it can produce a great location to invest, visit, study and do business. This is Ireland in 2026 — a country with lots of challenges, domestically and internationally, but also one well-placed to lead a strong national and European response in defence of values we all hold dear.
It is an ambition worth toasting this St Patrick’s Day.
• Richmond is the Republic of Ireland’s minister of state for international development & diaspora.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.