The Embassy of Ireland in Portugal has made a special presentation of Irish food gift packs to Portuguese frontline health workers on Ireland’s National Day – St. Patrick’s Day – as a symbol of gratitude and solidarity amidst the ongoing Covid pandemic.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Portugal Ralph Victory visited Curry Cabral Hospital EPE, which serves the Greater Lisbon area, forming part of the state-owned Central Lisbon University Hospital Centre (CHULC).
Ambassador Victory was welcomed by CHULC Clinical Director Professor Pedro Soares Branco, Madam Nurse Assistant Director at Curry Cabral Hospital Manuela Santos and CHULC Director of Internal Medicine Professor Fernando Nolasco.
The presentation was also assisted by Mr. Miguel Guiomar of Socorrer Linha da Frente – a charitable initiative that has provided support to Portugal’s health workers.
A total of 20 ‘gift-packs’ were presented, containing high-quality Irish food products as sourced through Ireland’s food export agency Bord Bia and Irish food producers Sheridan’s Cheesemongers Ltd.
Ambassador Victory said: “The world will always remain indebted to health workers for their immense effort, dedication and commitment throughout the pandemic. This year, St. Patrick’s Day provides an opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate our gratitude. I was honoured to visit Curry Cabral Hospital and offer this symbolic presentation as a small but sincere gesture of appreciation to frontline health care workers everywhere.”
CHULC Clinical Director Professor Pedro Soares Branco said: “We were delighted to host Ambassador Victory and Socorrer Linha da Frente at Curry Cabral Hospital and we would like to express our appreciation for this gesture on such an important day in the Irish calendar.”
The hospital visit forms part of a broad package of Embassy-led events to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Portugal, including the annual ‘Greenings’ with a record number of Portuguese landmarks illuminated in green as part of a wider global initiative.
The famous ‘Greenings’ event, designed to generate positivity around the world, includes ten iconic monuments from Porto to the Algarve such as Clérigos Tower in Porto, King Dom José I and Cristo Rei Statues in Lisbon and Faro International Airport (see article) . It follows a collaboration with Tourism Ireland and the Turismo de Portugal’s Dublin Office..
