The population of Ireland is about 6.3 million, but it is estimated that 50 to 80 million people around the world have Irish origin making the Irish diaspora one of the biggest of any nation. In USA alone the Irish nowadays exceed 40,000,000 people.

Michael Forbes has been Ireland’s Ambassador to Bulgaria since October 2016. Prior to his appointment in Bulgaria, Ambassador Forbes served as Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) andPermanent Delegate  of  UNESCO in Paris. 

From 2009 to 2012, he was the Director for Europe and Asia at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to that he served as Ireland's Ambassador to Israel. 

Michael Forbes is also the ambassador of Ireland to Armenia and Georgia where there are no embassies of the Republic of Ireland.

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17^th all over the world. On the occasion of this special for every Irish Day  Assia Chaneva talks to HE Michael Forbes about his impressions of Bulgaria and Bulgarians. From the audio file you will hear also more about the relations between Bulgaria and Ireland as well as what the concerns for Ireland and Irish people are in the aftermath BREXIT.