• Feliz 18 !!! What an amazing honour it was to celebrate our national holiday on board of the Navy ship ‘Fragata Almirante Condell’ that as a special treat arranged to be in Dublin for our Chilean holidays. The Chilean Embassy  and the Navy crew did their best efforts to make us all feel welcome and they certainly brought a piece of Chile to us in Dublin…Literally , all the people attending can say they were in Chile last night as the navy ship classifies as Chilean territory:)

It was so special and emotional to see the Chilean flag together with the Irish flag dancing to the winds of Dublin Port  in what I can only describe the most perfect September evening so far, it was a lovely kind of  spring breeze in the air exactly like in Chile at this time of the year.

The relationship between Chile & Ireland goes a long way. It all started with Bernardo O’Higgins, a Chilean/ Irish descendent, giving us the Independence from the Spanish Conquerors nearly 2 centuries ago.

After that the relationship has developed not only for our amazing wines and tourism but for love … Yes , it is true, Chilean/Irish couples mix and match perfectly well. ( I am living proof of that with my beloved Irish husband). And for you strawberry blondes, red hairs and blue eyed people out there you want to take the first plane to Chile. Who knows, you might never come back  :)

Seriously, both nations have so much in common starting with the beautiful landscapes, natural beauty and care for the environment, the  famous sense of hospitality and friendship , the nationalism, the values we shared as nations : family, spirituality, and of course the witty sense of humour which I think is a key factor in us getting so well together.

I will welcome you to visit my country, explore all we have to offer and enjoy our Chilean hospitality which made us famous around the world. I feel so blessed to be able to say that I have settled in 2 of the most beautiful countries this palnet has to offer; my two homes Chile and Ireland.

God bless you all , salud con vino chileno y VIVA CHILE !!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to find more about CHILE and Maria you can download the Chilean programme RTE filmed in 2007 visiting Chile and Maria’s family . visit www.rte.ie/tv/noplacelikehome

or contact the Chilean Embassy in Dublin at 01-6675094