“Send me to Ireland” Video Competition.

 

How to enter:

1. Read the competition guidelines here.

2. Get shooting your video.

3. Download an application form and follow the instructions here.

 

The Embassy of Ireland, South Korea, and The Irish Association of Korea are very proud to announce the launch of the 2014 Send me to Ireland Video Competition for university students in Korea.

It also allows contestants to compete for an opportunity to experience Ireland from an educational, cultural, and academic perspective.

The competition seeks to raise awareness about Ireland and the opportunities through Education and Travel that Ireland can offer Korean students.

Participants are invited to make a fun, creative 3 minute long video on the theme “Send me to Ireland”. The entrants are free to share their experiences, impressions and hopes within the context of the topic and are encouraged to film on location in Korea.

First prize will include one month of study in the Emerald Cultural Institute (www.eci.ie), including accommodation, return flights from Korea to Dublin, and spending money. Runners up will receive cash awards and cultural prizes.

주한 아일랜드 대사관(The Embassy of Ireland), 대한민국, 그리고 한국 아일랜드 협회(The Irish Association of Korea)는 한국 대학생을 위한 2014 “아일랜드에 보내줘” 동영상 공모전을 개최하게 되어 매우 기쁩니다.

이번 공모전은 아일랜드에 대해 알리고 한국 대학생들에게 아일랜드에서 영어 어학 연수 기회와 여행을 할 수 이는 기회를 제공하고자 개최 되었습니다.

공모전 참가자 분들은 교육적, 문화적, 학문적으로 아일랜드를 경험할 수 있는 기회에 도전 하실 수 있습니다.

참가자 분들은 “아일랜드에 보내줘” 라는 주제에 맡는 재미있고 창의적인 3분짜리 동영상을 만들어 주세요. 주제에 맡게 여러분의 경험, 인상, 바람 등을 자유롭게 영상에 담아 공유해 주세요. 또한 한국에서 동영상을 찍어 보내주시는 것을 적극 권장합니다.

1등에게는 숙박, 한국-더블린 왕복 항공권, 소액의 상금을 포함한 Emerald Cultural Institute (www.eci.ie) 어학원에서 한달 수업 기회가 주어집니다. 2등에게는 상금 및 문화 상품이 제공됩니다.

 

 

 

There’s no place like home.

The following is an account by Donal Ormsby, winner of the grand prize in our St. Patrick’s Day raffle.  He and his wife won return tickets to Ireland sponsored by Etihad Airways

I’m sure it doesn’t cross many people’s minds to spend their summer holidays’ lying at home with their parents and family, but for my wife Rosie and I, it was a holiday that we will never forget.

Ireland is where we call home and it always will be, but we had not stepped foot on the sacred soil for almost a year and to us it felt like a lifetime. We were so excited and could hardly contain ourselves as we landed at Dublin Airport to be greeted by our tearful relatives. A quick (fantastically Irish, lots of milk) cup of tea later and we were on the road back to our homes.

The next ten days were just amazing. We got to meet 3 new nieces that had been born in the year that we had been away. Brenna, Rosa and Elyse were as beautiful and funny as we had imagined. We got to spend time with our 2 very large families and all their children. We had a joint birthday party for my mum (65) and myself (30). We also had a party for Rosie’s sister Siobhan who is moving to Barcelona. It was a fun filled 10 days that went in far too quickly. We had left Ireland just 3 days after our wedding day, and, in fact, our wedding day was the last time we saw most of our family. It was an emotional journey home for everyone. Leaving again was very difficult.

We really loved our time at home. We would like to thank The Irish Association of Korea, Seoul Gaels and Etihad Airways for making our summer one of the most memorable we have had.

There is no place like home.

 

 

One month in Dublin by Choi In Gyeong.

The following is a piece written by Ms. Ingyeong Choi, winner of the Ireland Korea essay competition about her month in Ireland. We would like to take a chance to thank our sponsors, Etihad Airways, Emerald Cultural language Institute in Dublin and the Embassy of Ireland, Korea  and Listowel Writers’ Week for their continued support. 

 

Winning the Ireland Korea essay competition was one of the luckiest things that has happened to me this year. I spent one month in Dublin as the prize.

For the first two weeks, I had hard time getting used to the longer daytime of June in Ireland. It was bright from 5 a.m. till 10 p.m. I usually cannot wake up in the morning without an alarm, but the early sunshine opened my eyes automatically. Besides jetlag, that made me keep yawning during the English class in the Emerald Cultural institute, for some time.

My daily routine in Dublin was attending the Emerald Cultural Institute, a language school, which was part of the prize. What I was looking forward to was meet diverse people from around the world and I did. There were a lot of students who had different reasons to study English: a French surgeon, a Venezuelan official, English teacher from the Czech Republic and Italy, students from Japan, Uruguay, Brazil, Russia, and Spain. Could I imagine conversing with someone from Latin America, before leaving Korea? It was exciting to share ideas in English with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

I took two classes in the mornings, grammar and conversation. The teachers were experienced and gave out interesting topics to discuss. In the afternoon, I participated in an extra conversation class, where I freely talked in a smaller group.

During the classes I learned that I needed to learn more vocabulary and natural English expressions. One month study was not enough time to perfect my English, but the time left me eager to keep practicing English. Learning a language was never-ending, I thought.

On weekends, I went on trips outside Dublin, short excursions to Dun Laoghaire and the Wicklow Mountains. Also, I went on day tours to the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway. It was possible to travel from Dublin to the west coast or to the north end within a day. The prevailing scenes outside Dublin were so green. Indeed, I was in the Emerald isle.

The memorable scenes in the Dublin city were street artists and buskers. There was always music in the Grafton street and the Temple bar. The buskers are from a teenage boy to an old man. The music ranged from modern rock to harp melody. The street musicians made up a unique vibe in Dublin.

Also, pubs. There were pubs everywhere in Dublin. In the wooden interior, with nice music, drinks, and some good company, pubs are perfect places where you can feel alive.

I had heard a lot about Guinness before visiting Ireland, but I didn’t know Irish butter was so good. I found that Irish butter was superb. My host mother proudly said that it was because Irish butter was fresh.

It is difficult to generalize people of a country, but I had an impression that Irish people liked to dance. On a Saturday night, there was an old man singing and playing the guitar on the Temple bar. An Irish girl jumped in front of him and started to dance. She was quite a good dancer and people around started to sway to the music too. Once, on the Henry Street, I saw a pair of girls dancing to the street music in the middle of the day. Once, in a pub too. I guess good music brings some moves from people, but I witnessed it more often in Dublin.

I think I will always recall Dublin with its buskers. Ireland had many charms. The one month I spent there was stimulating. I felt one month was too short.

At the Emerald Cultural Institute with teacher Desmond

Landscapes of Ireland

Dun Laoghaire

The Cliffs of Moher

The Giant’s Causeway

 

On the way to Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland

 

 Irish Food

Seafood chowder& bread and butter

 

Irish coffee has whisky and thick cream in it

 

Guinness beef pie & some chicken dish

 

Leprechaun on the Grafton street

 

Temporary position available in Embassy of Ireland, Seoul

Job opening

Temporary post as Attaché

Embassy of Ireland, Republic of Korea

The Embassy of Ireland in Seoul is seeking applications for a temporary position of Attaché.

The Attaché will undertake a range of activities across the political, trade and administrative areas. Responsibilities will include coordinating and managing projects at the Embassy including visits and events; planning and participation in meetings; monitoring and reporting on political developments; supporting the representation of Irish trade interests and ensuring the smooth running of the administrative functions of the Embassy.

 

Requirements for the Post

The successful candidate will have:

–      A third level qualification;

–      Good interpersonal skills;

–      The ability to work well in a team and under pressure;

–      Strong skills in project management, analysis and report writing, customer service;

–      Knowledge of Ireland, its history, culture, political systems and current government policies;

–      A strong interest in and knowledge of, Korean current affairs including domestic policies, international relations, inter-Korean policies and international trade agreements;

–      Interest in EU structures and policies

 Previous relevant work experience and knowledge of the Korean language will be taken into account when applications are assessed.

 Application Process

Please submit:

–      A CV of not more than 2 pages including contact details for two referees

–      A letter setting out your interest and suitability for the position (max 1 page)

Application should be submitted by email to heejeong.kim@dfa.ie or by post addressed to Attaché Competition, Embassy of Ireland, 13 F Leema Bldg, 42 Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-755 by 5pm on Wednesday 7 May.

 A shortlist of candidates will be called for interview on the basis of the information supplied. Interviews are scheduled to take place during the week of 12 May and may be conducted by video conference, if necessary. No travel expenses will be payable for interviews

 

Contractual Information

Gross Salary: KRW 4,900,000 per month

 Location: Embassy of Ireland, Seoul

Hours of Work: generally 09.00-17.45. The hours of attendance are based on a working week of not less than 43.25 hours. However, given the nature of the role, a considerable degree of flexibility will be required, including some evening duties.

 The contract period will be for a period of up to 11 months. There is no entitlement to civil service status. On completion of the contract the attaché will be precluded from internship positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs either in Ireland or abroad.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a medical certificate.

 Persons who have availed of recent incentivised early retirement or voluntary redundancy schemes in the Irish public service are not eligible to take part in this competition. Applications will be required to complete a declaration confirming this. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to an Irish public service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish public service employment and/or where they have received a payment in-lieu in respect of service in any public service employment.

 The Embassy of Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

Bringing an ancient Irish Tradition to South Korea

‘Did you hear the one about…?’ That’s all you need to gather listeners in Ireland. Storytelling has always been a big part of life in pubs, kitchens, and playgrounds round Ireland.

Storytelling is the flagship of Irish folklore and our famous oral tradition is exemplified in famous storytellers and ancient mythical tales of bravery, discovery and knowledge.

Legends tended, and still tend, to be told on a more informal basis – in the fields, over the kitchen table, at the pub – and do not need any specialised skill or knowledge in their telling.

Today the art of seancaithe (tradition bearers) and scéalaí (storytellers) is being revived in festivals and events all over Ireland and we are excited to bring these stories to our festival here in Korea.

As part of the Seoul St. Patrick’s Day Festival this year on March 15th, we will be sharing this huge part of Irish culture and history. We have put together an amazing team of volunteer storytellers who can be found in The Irish Village between 1pm and 4pm retelling some of the most famous Irish folk-tales and hero-tales.

The stories that will be told on the day include; Oisin, The Children of Lir, thew Salmon of KNowledge, The King with Donkey Ears, The Giant from Scotland and of course the story of Ireland’s patron Saint, Saint Patrick.

 

Boxty Rebellion in Seoul!

Boxty Rebellion, the Irish folk band are flying into Korea to entertain us for St. Patrick’s Day.

The festival itself takes place in Sindorim, D Cube plaza (Sindorim subway station Lines 1 & 2 Exit 1) on Saturday, March 15th from 12pm to 6pm. This is a family day with story telling, face painting, audience dancing, traditional Irish music and the opportunity to try your hand at some Irish sports.

Boxty Rebellion will join Dara Sheahan, Tap Pung, Sweet Murphy’s Fancy, Bard and Nanah Mc Glennon’s Dance troup on the main stage.

That night the party continues in Rocky Mountain Tavern, Itaewon (Exit 3 walk straight 250 metres) where the IAK Fundraising Hooley will take place from 6pm until late. There will be live traditional Irish music, live bands and the rugby match will be televised at 2am. Tickets on the door are 10,000won.

If you want to catch Boxty Rebellion either side of the weekend, here is where they are performing;

Wolfhound (Friday 14th 11pm),

Rocky Mountain Tavern (Hooley),( Saturday 15th entertainment from 7.30pm),

Maloney’s (Sunday 4pm) 

Sam Ryans (Sunday March 16th from 7.30pm).

 Come out to the festival on March 15th to see them perform for the St. Patrick’s Day festival. More details irishassociationkorea@gmail.com

ARE YOU IRISH & LIVING ABROAD? WE WANT YOU!

ARE YOU IRISH & LIVING ABROAD? WE WANT YOU! 

 

Coco Television are looking for Irish people around the world to send a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” video message back home to be included in this years coverage of the St. Patricks’s Festival Parade shown on RTÉ 1. All you need to do is record yourself on a mobile phone, digital camera or any video device and send to – parade2014@cocotelevision.ie​

 

To give us a sense of where you are in the world, choose a backdrop that shows off the location e.g  the Taj Mahal, Ayers Rock, Golden Gate Bridge or the beach in Thailand

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Your clip cannot have any association with alcohol.

Your message must not exceed 8 seconds in duration.

Example of message: “Hello to everyone back home in Ireland, Happy St. Patrick’s day from New York”   

 

The deadline for submissions is Saturday 15^th March 2013.

St Patrick’s Day Costume Competition Returns!

The Irish Association of Korea will be running another fantastic costume competition at this year’s St Patrick’s Day festival on March 15th, with the winner walking away  with 200,000 Won in cash! There will also be runner – up prizes  up for grabs to the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Now is the time to start getting your Irish-themed outfit together and make sure to wear plenty of GREEN!

Below are some of last year’s winners and some photos of people at the Festival who we believe really got into the true spirit of St Patrick’s Day!

Will Berger Memorial Cup

Irish expat clubs, Seoul Gaels and Seoul St.Pats will be putting friendships aside as they compete in the first Will Berger Memorial Cup, in Seoul, this Saturday.

The game, which,will feature one half of Gaelic football and one half of soccer comes as both teams are preparing to begin their respective seasons. Seoul Gaels and Seoul St.Pats have had close ties ever since they were founded in 2002.

Traditionally, they have both played a prominent role in the Irish community, in Korea,and a large number of players have played for both clubs. The game will give both clubs a chance to enjoy healthy competition on the field and build friendships off  the field ahead of a busy year. It will also give non-Irish nationals the chance to sample the sport of Gaelic Football, for the first time.

Will Berger, a former player, of both Seoul Gaels and Seoul St. Pats, tragically lost his life in the States last year. Both clubs plan to have this, as an annual event, in his memory.

It will take place on Saturday, 3pm at  Sinhwa Middle School 신화중하교  near  Hwagok Station  화곡역 (Line 5) Please come along if you would like to get involved or meet some faces from the Irish community. Alternatively, you can meet members from both teams, in Itaewon, after the game, at The Pizza Pub, Hollywoods Bar and Grill or The Wolfhound Pub.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Ireland

10. Saint Patrick was neither a Saint nor Irish!

Many people are completely oblivious to why Irish people all over the world celebrate St. Patricks Day. Why do over 2 million people show up to watch the parade in New york City,  why do they go as far as dying the river green in Chicago and why do 100,000′s of people in Ireland hold a week long festival  around this time every year. Well it is all in the name of Saint Patrick…despite that NOT being his real name and him not been born in Ireland. St. Patrick was actually born in Britain and was named Maewyn.  Irish raiders captured him during an attack and took him to Ireland, heolding him captive for over six years. He later changed his name to Patricius, or Patrick, which derives from the Latin term for “father figure,” when he became a Priest.

9. Potatoes are NOT from Ireland

So turns out St Patrick is no more Irish than potatoes. Which, by the way, originally grew in Chile as far back as 500 BC and only arrived in Ireland as late as the 16th Century. Madness, we know! On the subject of potatoes, or spuds as we call them back home, people in Uganda have a very special name they call mashed potatoes. In Uganda, if you want some mash with your dinner you must simply order some “Irish”.

8. U2 isn’t even Irish!

Well not all of them anyway. In fact not only is half the band NOT Irish but they hail ……ENGLAND!! Both The Edge and Adam Clayton were born in London and Oxfordshire to Welsh and English parents respectively. Only Bono and Larry Mullen are Irish true an true!

7. The Shamrock represents the Holy Trinity

St. Patrick is famous for bringing Christianity to Ireland around A.D. 432. Legend says that St Patrick chose the shamrock as a symbol of the Christian church, its three leaves representing the Holy Trinity: God, Son and the Holy Spirit, joined together by a common stalk. By by the time of St. Patrick’s died on March 17, 461 (thus why we celebrate St. Patric’s Day on March 17th)  he had created a number of churches, schools and monasteries around Ireland dedicated to Christianity.

6. It is illegal to drink on the streets in Ireland!

Everyone imagines Irish people stumbling around the streets of Dublin, pint in hand singing to our hearts content. The reality is a little sobering. Drinking on the street or anywhere outside of a licensed premise is in fact illegal in Ireland. Pubs, bars and clubs  are all  closed by 2.30am, a time that could well be one of the earliest closing times out of all cities in Europe!

5. Everyone wants to be Irish!

This isn’t some light hearted joke, “har har har sure everybody wants to be Irish on St Patrick’s day!” No! This is actually a fact. How is it that while the population of Ireland, which is a tiny Island really, is only about 4 million (and decreasing every day tahnks to mass emigration) yet over 80 MILLION people worldwide claim Irish ancestry and hold Irish passports or dual citizenship!

4. There are OVER 1,000 pubs in Dublin

Considering the fact that Dublin has barely 1 million inhabitants, and thus is could practically be called a village compared to the bright lights of Seoul, it’s hard to believe there are over 1,000 pubs in the city. Many say it is actually impossible to cross the city, from North to South, without passing a pub. Not that anyone would want to do that!

3. Saint Valentine’s ashes are in Ireland

We may not have St. Patrick, but we do have Saint Valentine! The remains of St Valentine, the Patron Saint of Love and Lovers, are held in the Whitefriars Street Carmelite Church in Dublin. They were discovered in the early 1800s in Rome and some three decades later were given to a Dublin priest by Pope Gregory XVI. After nearly a century in storage, the relics were rediscovered about 50 years ago and are now housed in a shrine at the church, beneath a statue of the saint holding a crocus flower. I think few people are aware of this one

2. St Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland

According to legend, in addition to bringing Christianity to Ireland, St. Patrick was also credited with driving unwanted slithering reptiles out of Ireland in the 5th century. However, his job may have been quite easy, considering there weren’t any snakes to drive off the island in the first place!

1. Ireland’s Official language does not have words for “yes” and “no” 

The official first language of the Republic of Ireland is not English, it’s Irish (otherwise known as called Gaelic). While most people use English as their first language, as much as 40% of Ireland’s citizens consider themselves to be competent in Irish and must learn it in school from the age of 4  until 18.  One of Irish’s many curiosities compared to English is the absence of words that directly translate into “yes” or “no.”  Rather, Irish speakers answer questions requiring a positive or negative by verb repetition. For example, When asked if someone is “Going to the pub?,” the answer might be “I am,” as opposed to “yes.”