FREE EUROPE PRESS: It is early to be celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. The Irish presence on the world stage is significant. It seems every day is an occasion for Irish celebration.

Despite being one of the world’s smallest nations, the Irish presence punches well above its weight.

Ireland sets an example of what any small country can achieve.  In the United States, the Irish are reportedly second in terms of wealth and influence.

The Irish loomed large in English literature. Many great literary figures, often regarded as English, are actually of Irish descent. Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker. Listening to Chopin’s nocturnes is one of life’s greatest reveries. However, Irishman John Field is the father of the piano nocturne.

As a young seaman, I was bemused to discover when visiting Chile that their national hero is Bernard O’Higgins. He was Chilean but was the illegitimate son of Irishman Ambrosio O’Higgins.

Ambrosia settled in Spain and later served Spain. He militarily consolidated much of what the conquistadors had won. He must have been a wise dad; his son is revered as the father of Chilean Independence.

In the Great War, 37 Irish fighters received Britain’s highest war honour, the Victoria Cross. In the following war, 8 recipients were Irish nationals. Not bad for a neutral country.

Off the field of battle, the Paddies entertain us. Peter O’Toole, Pierce Brosnan, Richard Harris, Liam Neeson, and Colin Farrell are some of them. Do I need to go on?

Most nations have a reputation for inclinations one way or another. When it comes to orchestral music, the Germans strut their stuff. The Italians are untouchable where opera is concerned and in ballet, the French are without equal.

The Spanish, like the British, have certainly left their mark on history. Their talent when it comes to stealing that which isn’t theirs is truly the stuff of legends.

Between the 12th Century and 1925, the Spanish spent 67% of their time at war. England could manage only a piffling 56% of their time at war. There’s nothing much new there then. America’s playing catch-up.

The Swedes find war revolting but have grown fat on manufacturing arms for warrior nations. The Irish quietly go about penetrating and running everything. They don’t make a River Dance spectacular out of it.

They are even running the airlines. Ireland’s Willie Walsh, was Chief Executive of British Airways and Spain’s Iberia. 

Michael O’Leary runs Europe’s most popular (I didn’t say liked) airline. The Qantas boss was Irishman Alan Joyce. They are joined by Irishmen in senior positions in the national airlines of Brunei, Singapore, and Mexico. Guinness Peat Aviation’s CEO, Tony Ryan founded Ryan Air and heads the world’s second biggest airline leasing company. 

Joyce puts it down to something in the water, or the Guinness. The Irish don’t have it all their own way. In 2009, German Christoph Mueller was appointed CEO of Irish national airlines Aer Lingus. You can and should share this story on social media. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

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