Nicholas O'Brien, ambassador of Ireland to China (center) and delegates pose for a picture at the Ireland National Pavilion at the CIFTIS 2025 in Beijing, on September 10, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Ireland in China

With vibrant Irish folk music melodies played by a live band lingering at the Embassy of Ireland in China, a warm-up before the marking of the occasion of Team Ireland's participation in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS 2025) was staged in Beijing on September 9.  

Nicholas O'Brien, ambassador of Ireland to China said in his welcome remarks that "we know the CIFTIS will continue to grow in prominence. And two-thirds [of] Ireland's global trade is in services, with FinTech and medicine in their strengths, and in education and these are really important sections for the Irish economy."

Ireland is once again participating in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS 2025) with a dedicated Ireland National Pavilion. 

Noting Ireland's years of involvement in the CIFTIS, he said that "I'm aware of the opportunity of the fair. It's a viable trade promotion opportunity as well as an opportunity to discuss economic and trade issues on how to remove trade barriers." With its distinctive characteristics, Irish music has the rhythms to convey rich and sincere emotions. At the Ireland National Pavilion, the Irish folk music performance is part of the showcase program. 

Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ireland in China Barry Mulligan Photo: Chen Tao/GT

In an exclusive interview, Deputy Head of Mission Barry Mulligan told the Global Times that "it's amazing how similar Chinese music actually is to Irish music. I think that goes back to our long history together of 5,000 years."

Mulligan shared his own experience with Chinese music when he was in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

"I remember talking through Taiguli in Chengdu. And listening to the music and thinking that I was in an Irish mall, because the music was almost identical and sounded just like Irish music. I think the instruments and the melodies are all very similar. So whenever the Chinese can listen to the Irish music, I think they can see the connection between the two countries immediately."

From Mulligan's point of view, when he watched a taichi performance in a joint education program, he could understand the history of China. While the music performances of Ireland will also showcase how Ireland comes together, how Ireland appreciates music, and similarly how the melodies are almost identical to Chinese melodies.

"I think there are lots connections between Chinese music and Chinese culture, and Irish music and Irish culture," he said. 

Talking about keeping the momentum of cultural exchange after CIFTIS, Mulligan finds that music, poetry, and literature define a country, and could be influential bridges to help people understand each other. "Listening to the prism of music, through poetry and watching films really resonates a lot," he said. Take poems for instance. Mulligan said that one of the favorite poems among Chinese is "When We are Young." 

"I always look for connections between countries when I meet people. A lot of people don't know China and Ireland have similar histories: Our histories both go beyond 5,000 years, we both have suffered from colonialism; we both came out of poverty. Now we are both doing extremely well as two countries facing the world," said Mulligan, elaborating the common ground of the two cultures.

Having cultural events and bringing people together can benefit people-to-people ties.

"China is now more welcoming than ever to Irish people. Any time I meet Irish people who come to China, they are amazed by the country," he said, concluding that cultural connection and people-to-people links can build partnership and friendship that the two countries can bring together. 

Mulligan has been working in his role for two years. Talking about his impression of Chinese folk music, he said, "I'm so surprised about how similar Chinese folk music is to Irish folk music. They have the same string instrument and percussion instruments. I've seen many performances of Chinese folk music when I visit provinces. The rhythms are very similar and I really enjoyed them."