A novel Irish visitor led the St Patrick's Day festivities in Asia over the weekend as the region drowned the shamrock both on land and at sea.
The naval patrol vessel, the LE Niamh, on a unique overseas Irish trade promotion in the Far East, took pride of place in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour for the national day celebrations, with the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, attending Mass and the blessing of the shamrock on board the ship.
On Saturday night 500 people attended the St Patrick's Society ball in the Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong, including the Minister, local dignitaries and members of the Irish community.
But the biggest Irish ball in Asia took place in Beijing, where a record crowd of more than 600 gathered for the ninth Irish Network China-organised event in the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel. Top Irish traditional group De Dannan kept the international gathering dancing into the small hours.
A surprise guest was China's soccer coach, Serb Mr Bora Milutinovic, a national hero after bringing the country to its first World Cup finals.
He said that while he had no Irish blood in him, he was a great admirer of the Irish soccer manager Mick McCarthy and his players. "I think Ireland will do very well in Japan and I hope both your team and China can make it to the second round," he said.
The chairwoman of the Beijing Irish Ball Committee, Ms Grβinne Hagan, said the event had established itself as one of the biggest expatriate social gatherings in Asia.
"Despite the fact that the Irish community in Beijing is small, we have a reputation as the providers of the best party of the year."
In Shanghai, the first St Patrick's night fΘile took place, with proceeds going to the Amity Foundation, a charity helping sick children in the AIDS-stricken village of Shang Cai in Henan Province in central China.
Irish traditional music bands played in various hostelries over the weekend, with the newly opened Irish Bar, the Blarney Stone, selling green lager brewed in China.
In Singapore, bars came alive to the sound of traditional music. The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, was special guest at the St Patrick's Society annual ball. This was one of several events in a week-long Irish festival opened by the Irish Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Brendan Lyons.
In a novel initiative, proceeds from the sale of shamrock are to be donated to a fund for the participation of Singaporean athletes in the 2003 Special Olympics in Ireland.
During his visit, Mr Ahern also signed a co-operation agreement on global e-commerce between Ireland and Singapore.
In Seoul, a committee comprising Irish, Americans and South Koreans organised an Irish festival of music, sporting and cultural events, including the first Irish film festival in the South Korean capital.
Monies raised will be donated to four projects managed by the Irish Columban Fathers and Sisters in Korea. These include a homecare team for the terminally ill, a residential care facility for AIDS victims including newborn children, and two sheltered care workshops for the mentally ill.
In Seoul yesterday an estimated 3,000 people lined the streets for a St Patrick's parade. Six bands led the parade, including a traditional Korean band, a US army band and a Seoul police band.
In Manila in the Philippines the St Patrick's Society hosted a dinner for 75 people, with the catering provided by Irish restaurateur Mr Billy King. Guests tucked into shrimp, salmon with emerald sauce, and boiled bacon and cabbage. The honorary consul to Ireland, Ms Noreen Trota, attended, as did members of the Irish Columban Fathers based in Manila.
In Tokyo, 500 people attended the annual Emerald Ball held last weekend, and an estimated 5,000 people took to the streets for the annual St Patrick's parade yesterday.