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In 1960, Éamonn Kennedy became Ireland’s first ambassador to an African state when he was appointed to Nigeria. There was close links between the two countries through Irish religious missions in Nigeria and the fact that many Nigerian students studied in Irish universities. By the 1960s, Irish trade and business links with Nigeria were being developed. Ambassador Kennedy is pictured here (far left) with the Nigerian Minister for Health Moses Adekoyejoe Majekodunmi (a graduate of Trinity College Dublin) and his wife Nora Majekodunmi, with Ambassador Kennedy’s wife Barbara ‘Janie’ Kennedy (far right) at the St Patrick’s Day celebrations organised by the Irish embassy in Lagos in 1962.

A personalised card for St Patrick’s Day, 1962 in Lagos sent by the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria Éamonn Kennedy (in some cases with a sprig of shamrock). The card quietly advertises Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline.

Text of a St Patrick’s Day message to Irish troops then serving as part of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC). Irish Ambassador to Nigeria Éamonn Kennedy thought that because the newly-opened Irish embassy in Lagos was the only one in Africa, it would be a good idea to send Irish soldiers greetings via General Seán MacEoin, Force Commander, ONUC, United Nations HQ in Leopoldville, the Congo.

To view the letter see NAI, DFA/6/433/26/11.

Arrival of the Governor-General of Nigeria HE Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe at the reception given by the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria Éamonn Kennedy in Lagos on St Patrick’s Day, 1962.

From left: Governor-General Azikiwe, Ambassador Kennedy and his wife Barbara ‘Janie’ Kennedy.

A report detailing the first ever St Patrick’s Day celebrations of the Irish embassy in Nigeria. Ambassador Éamonn Kennedy describes the large reception held in Lagos where 500 guests were entertained, many of whom had studied in Ireland. A separate reception was held earlier in the day for members of the Irish missionary community resident there.

The report was heavily circulated on its arrival in Dublin (as evidenced by the different pen initials at the top of the first page, including those of Minister for External Affairs Frank Aiken). There was considerable pride in the fact that Ireland’s first official St Patrick’s Day reception on the continent of Africa had been such a successful event.

To view the entire letter see NAI, DFA/6/433/26/14.