'A huge honour' - Mayo musician performs in Abu Dhabi for St Patrick's Day

Mayo musician Kate Heneghan had a very special St Patrick's Day and weekend in the United Arab Emirates.

The Castlebar native moved there only two months ago and was invited to perform at the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi on the invitation of Ambassador Alison Milton for their 2025 St. Patrick's Iftar event.

"It's currently Ramadan. So the locals here and the Muslim people are fasting during the day," Heneghan said, speaking to The Mayo News.

PICTURES: The St Patrick's Day Parade in South Mayo town

"I've learned so much about the Muslim tradition and what Ramadan means. It's a deeply significant time for reflection and community at the end of the day. So for me to have played harp at such an important event for that was it was a huge honour for me."

An extraordinary moment for some people in the audience, as the harp isn't a traditional instrument in the UAE.

"It was a brilliant cultural exchange with the Irish harp music. And there were many local, very important local Emirati people in attendance at the event. A lot of them hadn't heard Irish harp music ever before."

The event on St Patrick's Day evening was called 'Iftar', because that's where they break their fast in the evening. It's basically a time for families and people to get together and celebrate.

There are thousands of expats living in the UAE, working in education, health care, entertainment industry. It's a thriving Irish community there.

And Kate Heneghan, former Mayo Rose and Rose of Tralee participant, has already the next big occasion coming up. In April, the Irish embassy in Dubai will celebrate their 50 year anniversary

READ: Westport native Ashling Heneghan flies the Mayo flag in America for St Patrick’s Day