Sunday, 16 June 2013

The Irish in Riyadh….

It occurred to me recently how effective Irish people are at sticking together, socializing regularly and generally being there for each other wherever they are in the world, Riyadh is no different ….

After being here for a year now, I have found that I have built a decent network of people, not all Irish of course, however in this conservative society, even the Irish have developed great ways to meet, eat, play sport and have fun together.

The Embassy of Ireland in the Diplomatic Quarter, currently resided by HE Dr. Niall Holohan and his wife Felicity are very open and generous hosts and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting both the embassy and indeed their home on a few occasions and they are extremely welcoming and helpful to all comers but of course always have a kind word for recently arrived Irish, they regularly host various events including a fantastic event on St. Patrick’s Day last when some 400+ Irish from right across the Kingdom attended.


Riyadh also has a GAA Club, Naomh Alee GAA Club has been running successfully here for many years and has both Men’s and Ladies Team’s who compete with neighbouring clubs here in the Gulf, and the club not only attracts Irish ex-pats but also has Australians, New Zealander’s, South African’s and Germans playing gaelic football and regularly host kids events too. Patrick Moynagh from Cavan is the current chairman and we had the pleasure of attending the end of season get-together last week, which was another great opportunity for the Irish (and many others) to get together for a bit of “craic” as we say back home.


On a smaller scale, there are many other smaller gatherings held in homes across Riyadh from time to time, much more informal gatherings with some good food and company, and telling stories of how long they’ve been in the Kingdom, how their work is, how the kids are doing, when were you home last ? etc., or to discuss the latest encounter with the “Religious Police” perhaps….


It struck me also that Riyadh and Saudi Arabia is a very transient place. At each gathering, I meet people who have been here many years, have just arrived recently, are back for the second time or are heading home for good in a few weeks, a kind of “Airport Terminal Waiting Lounge” of sorts here in the Middle East.

7 comments:

  1. We hope to be at the celebrations on St Patricks day this year. We are relatively new to Riyadh. Just have to work out how to get an invitation. We have registerd with the embassy but no contact!! Which is disappointing. What are your thoughts about the lack of child safety in cars?

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    1. Hi Anonymous, e-mail me on noel@noelscanlon.com and I'll see if I can help with Paddy's Day- as for Child Safety in cars, there is no safety at all in cars, driving, courtesy, everything, its pretty scary out there, and yes, I've seen so many small kids perched on parents laps, as a parent, its completely reckless !

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  2. Happy new year from a windy wet Cavan

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    1. Happy New Year, to Anonymous from Cavan !!!

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  3. Snap anonymous, also relitvley new here, we have also been looking to get involved in some events whether in Riyadh or at the embassy. Noel is this something you could provide information on how to go about getting involved with? Also looking to get involved in the GAA, not that I'm any good but for the craic/fitness or lack of. Cheers

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    1. Hi Daniel, sorry for late reply, GAA Club would happily have you along, e-mail me at noel@noelscanlon.com and I'll introduce you, also there's the Riyadh Irish Society, contact me and I'll help you out

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  4. Snap, we have also been looking to get involved with local/embassy events. Noel is this something you can advise on. We are also interested in getting involved with the GF, not that I'm any good, but good for the fitness/craic. Cheers

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