Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government Eoghan Murphy T.D. will promote Ireland as a trade and investment partner on a St Patrick’s Day visit to Korea (12-13 March). In a busy programme, Minister Murphy will speak at the Irish-Korean Business Network breakfast and Yonsei University, promote Ireland as an investment location and see first hand the achievements of indigenous Irish companies in Korea.

Minister Murphy and the Ministry for Patriots and Veterans Affairs will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the Irish dead at the Korean War Memorial on 13 March at 11.00. All are welcome.

The Irish Association of Korea invites you all to the 2018 Saint Patrick's Festival in Seoul on Saturday March 17th. The festival will once again take place in Sindorim, D-cube Plaza from 1pm to 6pm.

It's a fun, free, family day of music and dance, face painting and lots more.

There will also be the opportunity to win some great prizes on the day with fancy dress prizes and a wonderful main raffle prize of flights to Ireland, courtesy of Etihad airways.

The festivities will relocate to Hongdae in the evening with the St Patrick's Day Hooley in Club FF and Gogo's - there will be nine live music acts over two venues.

For more info on these events go to www.facebook.com/irishassociationofkorea/

Following a successful run in The Abbey Theatre, Michael Keegan-Dolan and Teac Damsa are bringing their critically-acclaimed version of Swan Lake/Loch na hEala to Seoul!

It will be performed at LG Arts Centre from 29-31 March. Further information is available here: http://www.lgart.com/UIPage/Eng/programs/Prog01.aspx?seq=252429

Seoul Gaels will have a presence at the Seoul St Patrick's Day Festival (March 17), and will have a Skills Day for new members and beginners on the weekend of 24 March. Contact seoulgaels@gmail.com

Daegu Fianna have started training for the new season. Contact developmentofficer.daegufianna@gmail.com

Laochra Busan have also resumed training in February. Contact busangaa@gmail.com

Multi-talented Irish music promoter, Angle magazine founder and festival organizer Phil Brett takes events to Daegu, Busan, and for the first time, Seoul over the coming weeks.

10 March Daegu: Angle's Amplify Series at Communes venue. A free show with donations accepted for travelling bands, featuring The Magus, Strkklr and November on Earth. www.facebook.com/events/2069267146693309/

17 March Busan: Chinese rock band Chinese Football headline at Someday venue: www.facebook.com/events/2083085151913019/

24 March Seoul: Angle Magazine's first show in Seoul at Strange Fruit in Hongdae featuring Say Sue Me following their recent European tour, and 57, home from a US tour www.facebook.com/events/1480318252076587/

Big Day South festival will take place on April 28 in Busan - details in the next newsletter.

The Embassy is delighted to announce that two spectacular sites will "go green" this year for St Patrick's Day. Keep an eye out for Seoul City Hall (12 and 13 March, 7-8pm), which will be greened again this year. The Global Greening is also going to a new site in Busan this year. The Busan Cinema Center, home of the Busan International Film Festival, will go green on 13 March, and again on St Patrick's Day itself 17 March, from 7-9pm.

There is a new Gaeltacht in Seoul! Practice your Irish language skills in The Wolfhound every second Monday, at 7.30pm. All levels, including beginners, are welcome! For more information, visit www.facebook.com/gaelteachtseoul/

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has launched TravelWise, the new smartphone app designed to help Irish citizens to stay safe and informed while travelling, living or working overseas. TravelWise has been developed by the Department to provide travel advice and consular information to these citizens to keep them informed and aware. It covers over 200 countries including South Korea and North Korea. More info on how it works at www.dfa.ie/travelwise/ Download it now!

Please also remember to register with the Embassy. The link is at the bottom of the newsletter.

If you want updates on public events, Embassy events, and what we are doing in Korea, like us at www.facebook.com/embassyofirelandkorea