It's only when you live abroad that you fully appreciate the impact of St Patrick's Day and what it really means to be Irish.
As I arrived at Hong Kong harbour's Fenwick Pier yesterday afternoon to take part in national day celebrations on board the visiting Irish naval vessel, the LE Niamh, I felt a great sense of pride as I saw the Tricolour flying on top of our most recently commissioned patrol vessel.
The £25 million ship was at the centre of St Patrick festivities in the Special Administrative Region this weekend. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, the man ultimately in charge of our naval fleet, was on board to oversee the blessing of the shamrock, which was then distributed to the ship's crew. This was followed by a St Patrick's Day Mass and visits on board by more than 100 Hong Kong-based Irish people.
The LE Niamh is on a very special Irish mission. With a crew of 42, plus six cadets, and captained by Lieut Cdr Gerard O'Flynn from Cork, she set sail from Cobh on February 10th on the most ambitious overseas trade promotion ever.
This floating embassy will spend a total of three months raising the awareness of Ireland in the Far East in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, the State agency co-ordinating the Government's highly successful Asia strategy.
During its voyage, which will see the LE Niamh travel a total of 25,000 miles, 70 Irish companies working in Asia will be involved in promotions on board the ship at its various port stops. A total of 2,000 Asian business representatives have been targeted during the mission, according to the Asia Pacific Director of Enterprise Ireland, Mr Michael Garvey.
In essence, the ship is a piece of Irish sovereign territory, a floating Ireland visiting some of the world's busiest ports in a unique national promotion.
Already she has stopped in Singapore, and there are reports of positive feedback following trade promotions there.
In Hong Kong tonight 200 representatives of local and Irish business interests will attend a reception on the vessel.
On Friday she sets sail for Shanghai and goes from there to Inchon in South Korea, Tokyo in Japan and Penang in Malaysia before setting sail for home.
"It is a unique way of promoting Ireland," Lieut Cdr O'Flynn said. "We are raising the Irish flag as high as possible. This is a different type of national service delivery for the navy, but it is certainly something that can be developed in the future"
The ship's navigation and communication officer, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary, always wanted to be in the navy. Her grandfather served his country at sea, and her grandmother told great tales of living in the naval base in Hawlbowline, Co Cork. Her uncle was also a naval officer.
"Who could ask for a better view when you get up in the morning" said the 24-year-old as she stood on the ship's bridge overlooking Victoria Habour and the spectacular Hong Kong skyline.
Roberta was one of the first women to be accepted into the Naval Service. She initially served two years as a cadet and last year finished a three-year degree course in navigation in NUI Galway. She is one of seven women on board, and her role is rather important; as the navigation and communication officer, she has to ensure the LE Niamh charts the right course on her Asian tour.
"I was always into sport and what attracted me to the navy was that it was a career that could combine outdoor activities and some academic life as well," she said.
Being a woman has been no hindrance, and anything the men can do the women can do better. Yesterday, while some of the male members of the crew took part in a local 10-a-side rugby tournament, three of the women joined the Hong Kong ladies' Gaelic team in a challenge game.
Naval cadet David Fleming (20) from Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, is cutting his teeth on this Asia tour. David literally has had stars in his eyes since he boarded the vessel five weeks ago.
"Part of my training as an officer involves going back to basics and learning 'astro-navigation', that is, reading your position from the stars. Because at home it is often hard to get the clear skies needed I am developing this skill on this trip."
As the LE Niamh sails her way around Asia, she is carrying the message of Ireland on a new route to the Far East.