Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays Awarded to Ms Agnes Aylward
2026/2/27
Presentation of the certificate of the order to Ms Agnes Aylward (right) from Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu (left) (photo taken in March 2026)
Ms Agnes Aylward and Mr Seán Aylward (centre and fourth from left) with their Irish and Japanese friends and colleagues (photo taken in March 2026)
On 27 February, the Embassy of Japan in Ireland hosted a ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence for the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays upon Chairperson and Founder of the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens Ms Agnes Aylward, who was awarded this honour in the autumn of 2025 in recognition of her contribution to introducing Japanese culture in Ireland and to friendship and goodwill between Japan and Ireland.
The ceremony was attended by Ms Aylward’s husband Mr Seán Aylward, as well as their close friends and colleagues at the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens.
Mr MIYAGAWA Manabu, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, presented the decoration and certificate to Ms Aylward, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the honour, recalling her first encounter with Lafcadio Hearn.
The Embassy of Japan in Ireland wishes to reiterate its sincere gratitude to Ms Aylward for her great work in deepening the ties between Japan and Ireland through the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, wishing her all the best in her continuous endeavour.
The ceremony was attended by Ms Aylward’s husband Mr Seán Aylward, as well as their close friends and colleagues at the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens.
Mr MIYAGAWA Manabu, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, presented the decoration and certificate to Ms Aylward, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the honour, recalling her first encounter with Lafcadio Hearn.
The Embassy of Japan in Ireland wishes to reiterate its sincere gratitude to Ms Aylward for her great work in deepening the ties between Japan and Ireland through the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, wishing her all the best in her continuous endeavour.