Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Saint Patrick’s Day: an interview with Ireland’s Ambassador HE Michael Forbes

БНР Новини
Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

The population of Ireland is about 6.3 million, but it is estimated that 50 to 80 million people around the world have Irish origin making the Irish diaspora one of the biggest of any nation. In USA alone the Irish nowadays exceed 40,000,000 people.

Michael Forbes has been Ireland’s Ambassador to Bulgaria since October 2016. Prior to his appointment in Bulgaria, Ambassador Forbes served as Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) andPermanent Delegate  of  UNESCO in Paris. 

From 2009 to 2012, he was the Director for Europe and Asia at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to that he served as Ireland's Ambassador to Israel. 

Michael Forbes is also the ambassador of Ireland to Armenia and Georgia where there are no embassies of the Republic of Ireland.

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th all over the world. On the occasion of this special for every Irish Day  Assia Chaneva talks to HE Michael Forbes about his impressions of Bulgaria and Bulgarians. From the audio file you will hear also more about the relations between Bulgaria and Ireland as well as what the concerns for Ireland and Irish people are in the aftermath BREXIT.






Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

70% of all bird species in Europe can be observed in Bulgaria

April 1 was declared International Bird Day in 1906, under the International Convention for the Protection of Birds. The date symbolizes mankind's responsibility for the conservation and preservation of wildlife. Today, 119 years after its..

published on 4/1/25 1:28 PM
Pirin mountain

A promo video introduces Bulgaria to the Middle East and China

A new short film showcasing Bulgaria's natural beauty, resorts and leisure opportunities is set to attract tourists from China and the Middle East. Titled "Bulgaria: A Touch of Nature" and created by Stiliyan Kadrev, the 15-minuteo offers a visual..

published on 3/31/25 3:56 PM

Nayden Gerov’s modern-day followers in the UK

Guided by the idea of preserving the Bulgarian spirit, culture and language, with 35 years of experience as a Bulgarian teacher and having worked in different European countries, in 2017, Iliana Boyajieva Smith founded a Bulgarian school in..

published on 3/30/25 7:10 AM