Europe United: Celebrating Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026

October 7 marked an important day for us at Betfair Romania Development. We were incredibly honoured to host Europe United: Celebrating Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, an event organised in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland to Romania and the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Cluj-Napoca.

The evening brought together ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, business leaders, academics and community partners for a celebration of European collaboration, dialogue and cultural exchange.

Hosting this event carried a special significance for Betfair Romania Development. As part of Flutter Entertainment, our organisation has deep Irish roots that continue to shape our culture, values and international outlook. Today, we are also proud to represent one of the largest Irish investments in Romania, connecting local talent and innovation with a truly international business.

The partnership with the Embassy of Ireland to Romania provided an opportunity to celebrate these longstanding connections while recognising the strong and growing relationship between Ireland and Romania. Beyond our shared heritage, the event reflected the importance of building meaningful partnerships across diplomatic, business, academic and community networks.

As a founding member of the Romanian Irish Business Association (RIBA), we strongly believe that international cooperation creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and sustainable growth, benefiting both businesses and the communities in which they operate.

Bringing Europe Together

Through a combination of official speeches, cultural moments and networking opportunities, guests had the chance to celebrate the values of collaboration, dialogue and international partnership that continue to strengthen connections across Europe.

The evening opened with remarks from H.E. Brendan Ward, Ambassador of Ireland to Romania, who spoke about the responsibilities of holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the important role Ireland plays in guiding discussions, fostering cooperation and advancing the European agenda during its six-month mandate.

Joining him on stage were Maria Forna, Prefect of Cluj County, István Vákár, Vice President of the Cluj County Council, Emese Oláh-Grecoiu, Vice Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Radu Miclăuș, General Manager at Betfair Romania Development, and Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter UK&I. Their speeches highlighted the importance of international cooperation, strong diplomatic and business relationships, and the opportunities created when institutions, communities and organisations work together towards shared goals.

Following the official remarks, guests were invited to enjoy a cultural programme that celebrated both Irish and European heritage through music and literature. The musical journey began with Ode to Joy, the anthem of the European Union, and continued with an extract from a symphony by Irish composer Seán Davey, inspired by the Merry Cemetery of Săpânța in Maramureș. Accompanying the musical performance was a visual presentation featuring photographs by Romanian photographer Mihail Onaca. Through a curated sequence of photographs from Breb, Groși, Budești, and Săpânța, the visual display offered a glimpse into the beauty, traditions, and everyday life of rural Maramureș, complementing the evening's celebration of culture and heritage.

The programme concluded with Ocean's Song, a piece inspired by the prayer of Saint Brendan, the sixth-century Irish navigator whose legendary voyages symbolise discovery, connection and return. The performances were brought to life by cellist Vlad Câmpean and pianist William Fielding, both musicians associated with We Are Classics.

Complementing the musical performances, David Norton and Dr Patricia Lungu delivered a recital of The Disappearing Island, a poem by Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet Seamus Heaney, adding another layer to the evening's celebration of cultural exchange and shared European identity.

The event concluded with an opportunity for networking and dialogue, creating space for meaningful conversations among representatives from diplomatic missions, public institutions, academia, business organisations and community groups. Discussions explored topics ranging from Europe's competitiveness and security to innovation, economic development and the future of international cooperation, while also laying the foundations for new partnerships and stronger connections across sectors and borders.

Strengthening the connections further

The evening was a great reminder of the value of cooperation, shared purpose and international partnerships in addressing common challenges and building a stronger future.

We were delighted to welcome such a distinguished group of guests to our office and proud to play a part in marking this important moment for Ireland and the European Union. As an organisation built on international collaboration and connected by our Irish heritage, we remain committed to supporting the conversations, relationships and communities that help Europe move forward together.