We celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Irish Business Club with 52 members and guests on the 3rd of October 2019. The event began at the National Library with an insightful and wonderfully entertaining talk on the Book of Kells by Dr Jaakko Tahkokallio, after which we had the opportunity to examine the facsimile of the medieval manuscript purchased and donated to the libary by the IBC back in 1990.

After the enlightening session on the Book of Kells, the festivities continued at the Irish Embassy Residence, where we had the pleasure to hear from our esteemed guests from Ireland, Chargë d’Affaires Eddie Brannigan and Ambassador Daithí Ó Ceallaigh, who spoke warmly about Finnish-Irish relations and also touched on the impending decision on Brexit.

As guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments, the celebrations were also joined by former president Tarja Halonen, an avid supporter of the club over the years.

Warm thanks for a successful evening go to all those who helped organise the event – and of course to all our members and guests who attended the shindig. Here’s to the next thirty years, slàinte!

Irish Business Club (IBC) has given the Shamrock Award on the 9th of November 2017 to the Honorary Consul Mr Erkki Yrjölä for his active role and achievements in developing the business relations between Ireland and Finland for more than 30 years.

Shamrock Award is given to the persons who have influenced the Irish-Finnish business society in an exceptional way. This award has been given earlier to:

Tom Eklund 2008 Chairman of Finnish Business Club in Dublin

Anders Ahlqvist 2004 Professor of Old and Middle Irish Celtic Philology

Keijo Suila 2002 CEO Finnair

Harri Holkeri 2000 Northern Ireland peace negotiator

Daithi O’Ceallaigh 1998 The first Ambassador of Ireland in Helsinki

The new Ambassador of Ireland H.E. Maeve Collins, successor to Colm O Floinn, has presented his credentials to the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö in October 2017.