An international food tasting event took place last weekend in the heart of Ireland in Mullahoran, County Cavan. The chairperson of Taiwan Ireland Association, Dr. Hui Wen Angel Cheng, brought with her some key elements of Taiwanese culture (food and oolong tea) to share with new friends: Irish, Taiwanese, British, Filipino, Latvian, Romanian, Hungarian, pan-African, Sudan, French, Polish, Syrian, Tongans and global citizens from other 60 countries based in County Cavan. Dr. Cheng said, "Everyone felt an amazing friendly vibe in this event and Cavan has got the X factor in Mullahoran; it was a great occasion at the multicultural event to share with all communities present on the day. Representing the Taiwanese diaspora community in Ireland and the local business Mimikoshop, Angel was thrilled to participate in this event with other migrant communities in this region. She said, "Taiwan has been in a roller coaster ride in global relations. Yet, naturally, friends around the world do not forget simple and genuine acts of kindness that Taiwan offered. As the wisdom of Irish poet William Butler Yeats, "There are no strangers here, only friends that you have not yet met." Ambassador Tzu-Pao Pierre Yang added, "I am touched that Taiwanese culture has not only been accepted but also is a part of the progessing multicultural community in Ireland."
Deputy Chih-Hsun Chen and first Secretary of Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, Chris Tsai travelled to rural Cavan for the first time to experience the strong community relationship in Ireland. In his speech, Deputy Chen shared that even though he has only been in Ireland for 2 weeks, he has been a global citizen for many years. He's travelled to Vietnam, Washington D.C. (USA) and other places. During the two weeks in Ireland, he was already touched by the warm welcome from his neighbours and new friends in his parish area in Dublin. Deputy Chen also thanked the honourable guest of the event, TD Brendan Smith, for his welcome to this society. TD Smith was the key contributing member of the Taiwan-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Society. Other Community learders present on the day mirrored the diverse makeup of the attendees on the day, representing various roles in the local community and beyond. They were: Senator Diarmuid Wilson, Senator Joe O'Reilly, Mayor Uruemu Adejinmi; Cllr. Philip Brady, Cllr. Winston Bennett, Equality officer Seana Brady, Fr. Patrick Hughes and PPN Coordinator Daniel Downey.
This event was organised by the Cavan Cross Cultural Community, which aims to introduce new people and cultures to the area. Founding officer of the organisation, Vanda Marie Brady, explained the event usually took place in Cavan Town. “I decided why don't we make it different this time,” she said of the decision to move the outdoor gathering to a more "isolated area" in Cavan. This was to reach out to the locals living in the rural farming parishes in Cavan. “It is just nice to let them aware and get to know marginalised communities in this area.” she explained. The Cavan Cross Cultural Community was established in 2018 and serves as a 'platform for different country members in Cavan'. Its aim is to promote diversity and inclusion. Dr. Cheng attended her first local radio show in July and brought Taiwanese community forward and connected with other 79 member countries in Cavan Cross Cultural Community. She will continue to share the Taiwanese Culture in Ireland and be a catalyst for a tight Island relationship between Ireland and Taiwan.
Weather Won't Stop Diversity (Credit Daniel Downey McAtackney)
