When it comes to parties the Irish have always known how to throw one - at least in my experience. So, no wonder the reception to celebrate Ireland's National Day is always so popular.

This year Ambassador Pádraig MacCoscair and Ms Ann Kieran held the reception at the Hilton Hotel, Portomaso. It was a fusion of the classic guest list which included our President and Mr Preca, several ambassadors and so on. But there were also priests, nuns, schoolchildren,  soldiers and two pretty violinists, a new delight, who tried all evening to entertain us but, I fear, with little success. Every silver lining has its cloud as it was hard for them to rise above the din of animated conversation which grew even more animated as more Guinness was consumed.

This is an occasion to meet and exchange news with acquaintances who possibly only see each other once a year.  So I smartened myself up and went with an old Irish friend of mine who tries to make it a point to be here in March for the St Patrick's day reception. 

I learnt in the course of the evening that the ambassador's term of office - their fourth year in Malta - was to come to an end this year.  I also learnt that once again we have an ambassador in Ireland - the first in ten years.

In his address His Excellency explained that the students present were from Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin to participate in the 5th Il Holqa European Theatre Festival for students in Junior College. "Mount Temple and their director Laura Doak are firm supporters of the festival over many years and their performances never fail to impress," he told his audience.

 He also praised the work of the Irish Sister Philomena who runs St Paul's Home in Hamrun.

When it comes to further co-operation between Malta and Ireland he spoke about the Irish Naval Service's search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. These are based on a formal bi-lateral arrangement with the Italian government and the support of the Armed Forces of Malta. "Over the past three years they rescued 17,400 men, women and children. This would not have been possible without Maltese and Italian cooperation."

There was further co-operation in the field of training, H.E. explained.

He then spoke of the Good Friday Agreement the 20th anniversary of which falls this year. "It is the cornerstone of our commitment to the peace and stability on the island of Ireland. The agreement brought to an end thirty years of conflict and killing and laid a basis for a peaceful society in Northern Ireland," he reminded us.

It was inevitable that Brexit should be mentioned seeing that "it poses challenges for Malta and Ireland". 

Every St Patrick's reception I have attended the ambassador has always mentioned that the Irish and the Maltese have much in common. Today was no different. "We share the same values, we face the same challenges, we bear the same burdens. We are committed to and rely upon the international rule of law. Our membership of the EU has given us both the opportunity to project our values and to participate in, and contribute to, the Great European project.  Malta's successful Presidency of the European Union last year demonstrated very clearly Malta's credentials in this regard."

In his address H.E. thanked his staff at the Embassy and also paid tribute to the Irish Diaspora organisations in Malta which play a major role in raising Ireland's profile in Malta.

 Ambassador MacCorsair then proposed a toast to our President and Mr Preca "and the health and prosperity of Malta and the Maltese people."

H.E.President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, in her address mentioned that the National Day of Ireland has been embraced as a day of celebration by diverse people, all over the world, "including the many Maltese citizens who celebrate Saint Patrick's Day."

The official diplomatic ties were established between Malta and Ireland in 1990 but "the relationship between our peoples is far older. In fact it is rooted in a shared heritage that has diverse levels of connection, including our shared faith traditions, the common experience of a British presence on our shores and our mutual membership within the European Union. Furthermore I believe that we are united by even more essential values, which include the safeguarding of the intrinsic dignity and holistic wellbeing of our citizens; the upholding of fundamental human rights; and the pursuit of sustainable peace, within our communities and societies, and across our world."

The President then spoke of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries which remains healthy, with a number of Irish owned companies in Malta in areas that include investment services, insurance and pension schemes.

H.E. then mentioned tourism and that the number of visitors from Ireland had increased. Apart from other benefits "tourism is an ideal way in which to bring diverse groups and communities together, while also nurturing shared prosperity and cultural diplomacy," she said.

She then mentioned Valletta's term as European Capital of Culture and said that this milestone will offer new and exciting avenues for cultural cooperation, which should be taken at the next level.

 She reiterated her belief that we must continue to strengthen our efforts to implement Agenda 2030, with a focus on education and culture "so that our children and young people, who shall one day take our place as the leaders of tomorrow, will enjoy a world that is conducive to peace and prosperity."

Mrs Coleiro Preca then proposed a toast "to the continuing friendship and goodwill, between the peoples of Malta and Ireland."

Once the speeches were over the President and Mr Preca and the Irish ambassador and Ms Kieran continued to mingle with guests. Very few, it seems, were ready to take to their beds. And so, the reception continued.

I said my goodbyes as my bed was beckoning, hoping that I would have no difficulty in finding my car in the carpark and that I would not be greeted by a puncture.

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