Ireland's ambassador to Canada, Declan Kelly, has been named the Irish person of the year for the 2010 Toronto's St. Patrick's Day parade.
Kelly, the first ambassador to be recognized by parade organizers, is being honoured for his contributions and involvement in the Irish community, says parade vice chair Robert Cruise.
Speaking to CP24.com from his office in Ottawa, Kelly says he's delighted by the honour and believes it's not only an acknowledgement of his work, but also the work of the entire embassy staff.
"A very big part of the Irish ambassador's job is getting to know the Irish abroad and there are many many Irish in Canada," he says.
"I've travelled through the all provinces and I've got to know many organizations… myself and my wife Ann always enjoy that part of the job very much."
About 14 per cent of the Canadian population has Irish ancestry, which is about 4.3 million people in this country.
Kelly has been the Irish Ambassador to Canada since 2006 and got involved a year later – spectating from the reviewing stand as a guest of the parade committee.
He praised several Toronto organizations – including the Chamber of Commerce and the Ireland Fund.
"There is also a very extensive Irish studies programs at St. Michael's at the University of Toronto."
For Kelly's first year marching in the parade, he'll be riding in a float that highlights the Irish person of the year.
In light of the popularity of the Vancouver Games, Kelly says Ireland is very proud that VANOC CEO John Furlong, a fellow countryman, helped organize the Olympics for this country.
"The Irish play a very significant part in the daily life of the province of Ontario and the whole of Canada."
