Dublin: On 6 July 2025, the Tibetan Community in Ireland hosted a vibrant and heartfelt celebration to mark the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama—an immense spiritual significance for Tibetans and devotees around the world. The event was held at Blakestown Community Resource Centre in Dublin. The celebration witnessed Ireland Tibetans in participation, friends of Tibet, Tibet supporters, and well-wishers.

The community centre was transformed to a festive and culturally rich space, adorned with colourful balloons, Tibetan flags, and a prominent portrait of His Holiness. The ambiance reflected both reverence and celebration, setting the tone for a memorable day. Attendees, many dressed in traditional Tibetan attire, brought a vibrant energy to the gathering. Melodious Tibetan music played in the background, enhanced the spirit of unity, cultural pride, and shared joy.

The celebration began with the recitation of poem ‘The Paradox of Our Age’ by Tenzing Yiewong, originally penned by His Holiness. The reflective and poignant piece served the reminder of the importance of compassion, mindfulness, and living a meaningful life—echoing the theme of the day “The Year of Compassion.”

Lhakpa Tsering, spoke on behalf of the Tibetan Community in Ireland, offered heartfelt birthday wishes to His Holiness and expressed gratitude for his continued guidance and wisdom. He had earlier shared his greetings publicly via his Meta account on 6 July

Following this, the official statement from the Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet) was read out by Vice President Wangda of the Tibetan Committee in Ireland, along with Chief Committee Representative Tenzin Palbar.

Former President of the Tibetan Community in Ireland, Kalsang Norbu, addressed the gathering with warmth and pride. He expressed joy at witnessing the growing Tibetan community in Ireland and commended those who took time from their daily lives to celebrate this important occasion.

The event featured an array of cultural performances that brought the celebration to life. Organisers Tenzing Legsang and Tenzin Palbar led a ceremonial cake-cutting, which was met with applause and smiles.

Traditional Tibetan dances and energetic Bollywood performances added warmth to the celebration. The stage was filled with performers dressed in elegant pink Tibetan attire, drawing enthusiastic cheers and calls for an encore.

The celebration brought the spirit of togetherness as it hosted a potluck-style community feast. The attendees brought homemade Tibetan dishes, sharing flavors and stories from their kitchens. The cuisines included traditional favourite such as dresil (sweetened rice), lhafing, shabhale, and momo (steamed dumplings), offering guests a true taste of Tibetan culture and hospitality.

Later in the evening, the Tibetan Community honoured outgoing committee members with traditional khatak (ceremonial scarves) in appreciation of their service and new committee members were welcomed with warm applause and encouragement.

The event concluded on a high note, leaving attendees uplifted and inspired. It was not only a celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday but also a reaffirmation of the values he embodies—compassion, resilience, unity, and joy. Many departed with a renewed commitment to carry those values into their daily lives and within their communities.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, London