State Visit
Ireland West Airport welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the West of Ireland
Dignitaries and local leaders welcome Canadian Prime Minister during ancestoral visit
 Tues 16th June 2026
Ireland West Airport welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the airport on 14 and 15 June as part of his ancestral visit to County Mayo. Prime Minister Carney, accompanied by his wife Diana and a Canadian delegation, travelled to Mayo during his official visit to Ireland, returning to the county of his family roots and receiving a warm welcome from local communities across the region.
His arrival at Ireland West Airport marked a significant occasion for the airport and the wider West of Ireland, highlighting the enduring links between Ireland and Canada. Prime Minister Carney’s grandparents, Robert Carney and Nora Moran, emigrated from the Aghagower area of Mayo to Canada in the early 20th century, making the visit a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with his family heritage.
Arthur French, Chairman of Ireland West Airport, said: “It was a tremendous honour for Ireland West Airport to welcome Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife Diana to Mayo on what is a deeply meaningful ancestral visit. The ties between Mayo and Canada are long-standing and heartfelt, and today’s visit is a proud occasion for the airport, the county, and the west of Ireland. Ireland West Airport is proud to serve as a gateway for people returning home, reconnecting with family, and discovering the heritage of this special region. We are delighted that Prime Minister Carney’s journey to Mayo began here at Ireland West Airport.”
The visit also highlighted the airport’s role in connecting the west and northwest of Ireland with international markets, supporting tourism, business, diaspora connections and regional development.
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