The Diplomat
With the surprise music of Carlos Núñez, one of Spain’s most international musicians and undoubtedly the one with the strongest links to Ireland, the great festival of St. Patrick’s Day in Madrid , the most important in the Emerald Isle and one of the most widespread around the world, began yesterday, Monday, with a surprise performance by Carlos Núñez, one of the most international Spanish musicians.
Passengers travelling through the Plaza de España metro station were surprised by a vibrant performance by the piper, which was also attended by Frank Smyth, the Irish Ambassador; Jorge Rodrigo Domínguez, Regional Minister for Housing, Transport and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid; Ignacio Vázquez, Chief Executive of Metro de Madrid; and Susan Bolger, Director of Tourism Ireland, thus officially kicking off Ireland Week.
St. Patrick’s Day,” explained Ambassador Frank Smyth, “symbolises Irish pride celebrated around the world. It has evolved from a religious holiday to a celebration of Irish culture, traditions and sentiment. The celebration has managed to spread around the world and be celebrated not only by the Irish, but by all those who feel an affinity or sympathy for the island or even have a common historical heritage”.
Accompanied by other musicians and several Irish traditional dancers, the Galician, “the great master of the bagpipes and one of Ireland’s best ambassadors in Spain”, in the words of the Irish ambassador, played live for the subway users who were arriving or leaving the station at the time and who did not hesitate to stop and watch the concert and get into the festive and hospitable spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
As we reported in The Diplomat, Metro de Madrid will continue to be a place of celebration all week. After Carlos Núñez’s performance, Celtic sounds and dances will continue to fill the concourses and set the pace for transfers at the centrally located Ópera, Callao and Gran Vía stations, all on Line 5, the green line, the colour of Ireland.
Ireland Week has also today addressed the historical links between Ireland and Spain with an event dedicated to the Invincible Armada, an episode that links us directly with the Emerald Isle since the 16th century, because around thirty Spanish ships sent by Philip II to fight against England sank there.
Ireland Week will continue until Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, and includes tastings in the Peace Market, a literary evening with the Irish writer Shane Tivenan, the show St. Patrick’s Day at the Monumental, a concert by the Asturian piper Bras Rodrigo in the Sala Fitz, a date with Gaelic sport and the music and dance show by the group Irish Treble in the Sala Galileo. The finishing touch to the celebrations will take place on Saturday, the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, with a grand parade that will start at 16:30 from the Metrópolis building and will run along Madrid’s Gran Vía until it reaches the Plaza de España. This year it will bring together more than 500 pipers from all over Spain, almost doubling the number of the 2023 edition. More information about Ireland Week in Madrid in this link.
The story of St Patrick is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating in the world. Kidnapped and enslaved by pirates, he was forced to shepherd in Irish lands of which he knew nothing of the language and traditions. Against all odds, far from refusing, he decided to get closer to the roots and beliefs of a deeply pagan people and, after a bumpy escape, he travelled and studied until he became a priest. His mission would take him back to Ireland, not knowing that both would be united forever in Christianity. There he performed countless deeds and miracles and captivated a people who took him as a point of reference.
