National Day Reception and Appointment of Honorary Consul in Galway
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(© German Embassy Dublin)
On 10th October 2011, the Ambassador hosted a reception in Galway on the occasion of the Day of German Unity and the appointment of Prof Schmidt-Hannisa as Honorary Consul (both pictured above). The reception concluded a four-day trip to cities of Limerick and Galway as well as the counties Limerick and Galway. The Ambassador met local political and business representatives and attended the annual conference of the Association of Third-Level Teachers of German in Ireland at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
The reception was attended among others by members of Dáil Eireann and local councils as well as representatives of the business community and the universities. The Ambassador said in his address that he felt privileged to be the German Ambassador to Ireland as a whole and that he would endeavour to meet with people living outside of Dublin as often as possible. (See his speech)
The Ambassador introduced the recently appointed German Honorary Consul, Dr Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa. Dr Schmidt-Hannisa is Professor of German at the National University of Ireland, Galway and has lived and worked in Ireland for nearly 10 years. He said that he felt honoured to be able to serve as German Honorary Consul and that fostering people-to-people contacts between Irish and German citizens was one of his priorities.
Contact details of the Honorary Consul.
Prof Schmidt-Hannisa is the successor to the late Mr. Philipp Hergett, the first Honorary Consul of Germany in Galway. He was appointed to this position in 1990 and his administrative district comprised the Counties of Galway, Clare and Roscommon. He exercised his role with extraordinary devotion and responsibility. Philipp Hergett became a household name in his part of Ireland, synonimous with Irish-German friendship and displaying kindness and concern for others. His help and advice were of great value to the Embassy. Mr Hergett sadly passed away in 2009. He will always be remembered with gratitude and affection.
