The Irish Ball, to be held on March 14 at the Kerry Centre Hotel, is a highlight of Beijing’s social calendar. The annual black-tie occasion, this year themed “A Touch of Green,” is also a great night of the best of Irish culture, food and culture in China. The Ball, which begins with a drinks reception at 7pm at the Kerry Centre Hotel, also marks St Patrick’s Day, the national day of Ireland and the Irish Diaspora around the world.
Organised by the Irish Network China, a Beijing-based voluntary organisation linking Chinese and Irish friends and businesspeople, the Ball will also raise funds for Jinde Charities, a Hebei-based Chinese NGO which provides funding for disadvantaged school children and raises awareness of Aids sufferers in China.
Those lucky enough to get tickets for the event will be entertained by Ultrasound, a band flying in from Dublin to serve up a feast of rock and pop from Ireland, the land of legends like U2, Van Morrison and Enya. During the evening there will also be local Riverdance-style Irish dancing and a free flow of stout and whiskey at the all-night bar.
“The Irish Ball was one of the first expatriate balls in Beijing and it gets better every year,” says Catherine Toolan, chairperson of the Irish Network China. “It’s amazing how many people in Beijing know about St Patrick’s Day. The Irish Ball is the best place to be Irish in Beijing!”