Farewell for longest serving envoy among EU countries

No distance can dilute friendship based on shared values, said Niall Holohan, Ireland Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, at the conclusion of his present diplomatic tenure in the Kingdom.
Ambassador Niall was the keynote speaker at a party hosted in his honor at the Riyadh Palace Hotel. The event brought together diplomatic corps, including 25 ambassadors and heads of mission of various countries.
Former Chief of Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Alaudeen A. Alaskary, was also present.
Ambassador Niall is the longest serving Irish head of mission among the European Union countries in the Kingdom.
Ambassador Niall and his wife Felicity are leaving after completing their assignment for Ireland. “A goodbye isn’t painful unless you’re never going to say hello again and all are welcome to visit us in Ireland and perhaps we will return in a befitting private sector,” he said.
The gathering was well attended by Saudis, investors, prominent engineers, doctors, bankers and family and friends. The cuisine, a delicious mix of Arabic and Pakistani dishes, proved that the route to man’s friendship is through one’s heart.