The Embassy of Ireland to the Republic of Singapore celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Singapore with the ceremonial planting of a holly tree from Ireland at Gardens by the Bay.
The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore partnered with Gardens by the Bay in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Singapore. The ceremonial planting of an Irish holly tree, which took place on Monday, was a strong testament to the enduring and everlasting friendship between two great small island nations at opposite ends of the globe.
Her Excellency Sarah McGrath, Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of Singapore, was joined by guest of honor, Singaporean Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua, and Gardens by the Bay Chief Executive Felix Loh.
Ireland and Singapore maintain close ties across international fora and both are committed to fostering stronger bonds of friendship and strategic partnerships now and into the future.
A celebration of bilateral relations
Ireland formally established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Singapore on December 2, 1974, exactly 50 years to the day of the tree planting. In 2000, Ireland officially opened an embassy at Ireland House on Orchard Road.
As a sign of the continuing growth of our relationship with Singapore and across South East Asia, earlier this year the Embassy of Ireland together with three key state agencies, Bord Bia, or the Irish Food Board, Enterprise Ireland, and the Industrial Development Agency Ireland moved to a new purpose-built Ireland House located at Cross Street Exchange, in the heart of Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay is a national garden and premier horticultural attraction for local and international visitors to Singapore. The Gardens is a showpiece of horticulture and floral artistry that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining while educating visitors with plants seldom seen in this part of the world, ranging from species in cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats.
“Outstanding decades”
The Embassy of Ireland was delighted to partner with both Gardens by the Bay and Ireland’s National Botanic Gardens for this special project. The Botanic Gardens in Ireland is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, established in 1795, and today houses approximately 20,000 living plants and specimens. The holly tree, or Ilex aquifolium, planted in Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome was grown in Ireland.
“I am very proud to be here today on the exact date 50 years ago when formal diplomatic relations between Ireland and Singapore were established,” Ambassador McGrath said.
“Over those five outstanding decades, our relationship, just like this wonderful holly tree, has grown stronger and sustained the global winds of change. Our links, whether in business, foreign policy, people-to-people connections, the arts, culture or sports are – like this tree – a living symbol of our ensuring friendship and continuing commitment for the next 50 years and beyond.”
“Gardens by the Bay is honored to receive this gift of a Holly Tree from Ireland as a sign of our deep and valued partnership both with the National Botanical Gardens of Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore,” Loh said, “We look forward to nurturing this tree in our Flower Dome so that visitors near and far get to enjoy this piece of Emerald Isle here in the Lion City.”
*Courtesy of the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore.
