Japan and Ireland – Musical Exchange

On the afternoon of 24 September, a harp concert by Ms NAKA Yasuko was held at St Ann’s Church in Dublin. An audience gathered at the venue and listened attentively to the Irish and Japanese pieces played on the Irish harp and sung by Ms NAKA, including "The Last Rose of Summer", "Danny Boy", "An Mhaighdean Mhara", "Sakura (Cherry Blossom)", "Furusato (Home Town)", "Yuyake Koyake (Sunset)", and "Miagete Goran Yozora no Hoshi o (Look up at the Stars in the Evening Sky)" amongst others.
 
Responding to huge applause from the audience, Ms NAKA sung the first version of the Japanese national anthem composed in the late 19th century by Mr John William Fenton from Kinsale, County Cork. 

Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu and his wife also attended the concert. They conveyed their congratulations to Ms NAKA and expressed their gratitude for her giving this performance in anticipation of next year’s 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. (Please see below for the Ambassador’s congratulatory remarks.)

【Ambassador MIYAGAWA's congratulatory remarks】

Good afternoon, everyone.

I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Ms NAKA Yasuko on the splendid performance of such moving Irish and Japanese pieces in the centre of Dublin.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the organisers and everyone who has prepared and realised this wonderful opportunity.

Ireland and Japan have enjoyed friendly and close relations for many years. Music has always played an important part. On top of the excellent pieces played by Ms NAKA, in the late 19th century, Mr. John William Fenton from Kinsale, County Cork, composed the first version of Japan’s national anthem, “君が代”. For many years, on St Patrick’s Day, Irish and Japanese music have been played jointly by Japanese and Irish musicians across Japan. Most recently, during Expo 2025 Osaka, there were excellent music exchanges.

Ireland and Japan will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027. I am very pleased that Ms NAKA has kindly agreed to join this commemorative year through her performance. I wish you all the best.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. どうもありがとうございました。