Local politicians travel for St Patrick’s Day celebrations

Meath's politicians are travelling to New York, London and Texas this year to promote the county and country during the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Minister Thomas Byrne is visiting Austin and Dallas in Texas, while a group from Meath County Council, including Cathaoirleach, Nick Killian, CEO Jackie Maguire, Director of Services Fiona Lawless and Cllrs Sharon Tolan, Elaine McGinty and Damien O’Reilly are in New York.

Meanwhile, Director of Services, Dara McGowan, Leas Cathaoirleach, Mike Bray and Cllrs Amanda Smith, Paddy Meade and Wayne Harding went to London to meet with Meath Association of London and participate in the St Patrick’s Day Parade last Sunday.

Minister Byrne said the Government wants to build and deepen relationships in Texas across "all aspects of the wider Ireland-US bilateral relationship, including: economic; political; cultural; and people to people links.

"It is notable that more than 40 companies that have their headquarters in Texas, companies such as Dell, Indeed, WP Engine, Gamestop and Hewlett Packard, also see the value of having a presence in Ireland too. I look forward to strengthening our relationship with Texas, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and the Consulate General of Ireland, in Austin,” he said.

“This St Patrick’s Day, the Irish Government will mark ‘100 Years of Ireland in the World’. We want to celebrate a century of our engagement as an active member of the international community, in the promotion of democracy, peace and security."

Meath County Council Cathaoirleach, Nick Killian along with Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Commissioner for Aging New York City, Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City and Cathaoirleach Tony O’Brien, Clare County Council will sign a Twinning Agreement between Ireland and New York at the New York City Department for Ageing tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

The proposed political Twinning Agreement will be anchored in the principles of the International Dublin Declaration and will foster strong relations between Ireland and NYC age friendly agendas. It will focus on particular areas of development such as Ireland’s' Age Friendly Airports (Knock and Shannon), Age Friendly Tourist Destination (Avondale, Co Wicklow) and Age Friendly Stadium (Croke Park) and an opportunity to replicate these in a number of iconic spaces in New York City with a view to promoting age friendly economic and tourist opportunities on a transatlantic basis.

The group will also pay a courtesy visit to the office of the Ambassador of Ireland to the UN at the Irish Mission tomorrow and will meet with the Meath Association of New York on Thursday.

They will then participate in the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has confirmed that he intends to visit Northern Ireland and the Republic to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

He is expected to travel to a number of locations on both sides of the border next month.