• The Irish pavilion is in the Mobility District, near Jubilee Park. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
    The Irish pavilion is in the Mobility District, near Jubilee Park. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
  • Anita Kelly, deputy commissioner general, in the garden at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    Anita Kelly, deputy commissioner general, in the garden at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • The Oculus at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    The Oculus at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • The garden at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    The garden at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • The garden area is a multipurpose event and performance space that will be used for the majority of Ireland’s programme in the pavilion, including regular Irish music events. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
    The garden area is a multipurpose event and performance space that will be used for the majority of Ireland’s programme in the pavilion, including regular Irish music events. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
  • The exterior of the Oculus at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    The exterior of the Oculus at the Ireland Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • Another view of the garden area at the pavilion. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
    Another view of the garden area at the pavilion. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
  • The Irish pavilion in the Mobility District is ready to welcome visitors with the country's renowned Irish hospitality. Photo: Embassy of Ireland
    The Irish pavilion in the Mobility District is ready to welcome visitors with the country's renowned Irish hospitality. Photo: Embassy of Ireland

St. Patrick's Day and other events at the Expo 2020 Ireland pavilion


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The Ireland pavilion at Expo 2020 is celebrating St Patrick's Day on Thursday, March 17 with a mixture of culture, sport and business events for the country's national day.

The world's fair is hosting a special St Patrick's Day parade, led by the Irish Defence Forces Pipe Band and joined by the Irish community in the UAE.

The pavilion is teaming up with the Irish National Concert Hall to deliver a range of cultural performances for the day, including a specially curated concert by world-renowned Irish musician Martin Hayes at Al Wasl Plaza.

Ireland Pavilion’s Expo Players performing at the launch of the St Patrick's Day programme. Image: Ireland at Expo
Ireland Pavilion’s Expo Players performing at the launch of the St Patrick's Day programme. Image: Ireland at Expo

Music will also be the focus at the pavilion throughout the day, where the resident Expo Players will perform tracks from the Irish Songbook – a collection of 55 of the country's songs, 10 of which have been chosen for a special album that will be released on St Patrick's Day.

Al Wasl Plaza will also host a special 360-degree screening of Irish animation. Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon has created a special edit showing some of their Oscar-nominated films, including Wolfwalkers, The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea.

Irish sporting heroes are joining a special family fun day planned for Expo Sports Arena, while motivator Maeve Madden, founder of Queens Don’t Quit, will lead a fitness session where she hopes to gather the most nationalities taking part in one class.

The Irish Business Network has also hosted its annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast at the Expo, with a speech from Ireland's Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, who is also attending the flag-raising ceremony.

Al Wasl Plaza and Expo Sports Arena will be taking part in the 'global greening' initiative in which buildings across the world light up in green for the day.

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

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The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

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ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.

Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.

Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.

Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.

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Updated: March 17, 2022, 11:51 PM