We are delighted to bring you a new SAHA Conversation. Our guest this week is Jane McCulloch. Jane McCulloch is the Consul General of Ireland in Edinburgh, having taken up her post in July 2019. Jane is a career diplomat who has served Ireland at home and abroad for fifteen years. Jane has served abroad as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul at the Embassies of Ireland in Warsaw and Copenhagen, and at home in various roles across the Department of Foreign Affairs, including as Head of Integrity in the Passport Service, in the Humanitarian Unit of Irish Aid, and on State Visits in DFA’s Protocol Division. Before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs, Jane worked in the events industry, delivering major outdoor public events. She graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2002.

Our SAHA Conversation includes Jane’s reflections on her career and on the contribution of arts & humanities to international relations. As this conversation was recorded in the first week of February 2022, and St Patrick’s day on March 17th was just around the corner, we also discussed St Patrick’s Day and what it means for Ireland and the Irish diaspora.

Resources mentioned:

• Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh
• Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Review
• Boyne to Brodgar project
• The Book of Kells
• Colmcille - An Naomh Dána (TG4 and BBC Alba documentary)
• Athbheatha: Colm Cille Ildánach (A celebration of the 1500th anniversary of Colmcille's life through works of art - TG4 documentary)
• An Irish - Scottish celebration of St Brigid's Day 2021
• The 2022 St Brigid's Day event Women’s Voices in Arts & Media (organised by the  Consulates General of Ireland in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Manchester)
• Causeway Ireland - Scotland Business Exchange Young Professionals Network