Gorey councillors with Canadian Ambassador Dennis King.
Principal Anna Gahan receiving a gift from the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King on a recent visit to Colaiste Bhride Carnew. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King engaging with the student council on a recent visit to Colaiste Bhride Carnew. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King visits Colaiste Bhride Carnew. Pictured is Denis Finn, Principal Anna Gahan, Ambassador Denis King, Darren Tobin, Ciaran Somers and Malcolm Byrne TD. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King engaging with the student council on a recent visit to Colaiste Bhride Carnew. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
The newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Dennis King, noted the similarities between Ireland and Canada when it comes to addressing current farming issues.
Dennis King made made the trip to both Carnew, Co Wicklow and Gorey, Co Wexford, where he was guided by Deputy Malcolm Byrne TD to various locations.
“The south Wicklow and north Wexford area has huge historic links with Canada as many who lived in the area had assisted passage to the North American country during the nineteenth century,” Deputy Byrne explained.
A tour of The Hatch Lab and then a very engaging discussion with the County Wexford Chamber explored the trade opportunities that are open to local companies interested in doing business with those in Canada. The Ambassador highlighted the fact that trade between Ireland and Canada has also doubled in the last six years.
This was then followed by a detailed discussion with the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA) where it was found that many of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture were the same on both sides of the Atlantic – generational renewal, tillage, and climate change.
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King visits Colaiste Bhride Carnew. Pictured is Denis Finn, Principal Anna Gahan, Ambassador Denis King, Darren Tobin, Ciaran Somers and Malcolm Byrne TD. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
“A tour of Gorey left the Ambassador very impressed by the broad range of retail premises and he had a good discussion with John Doyle of Myles Doyle on how business operates as successfully as it does in north Wexford,” Deputy Byrne added.
The second last stop was none other than the local library where they had an excellent display of Canadian literature on show before the Ambassador made his way to the Council Chamber where council chair Cllr Donal Kerry made a small presentation to the ambassador and a discussion took place amongst councillors and other officials.
Following this educational visit, Deputy Byrne emphasised the importance of the relationship Wexford and Canada share.
“We are very keen to look at growing those longstanding connections between our community and Canada. The Ambassador and the Embassy are keen to help. I know he was hugely impressed by the incredibly enthusiastic community and voluntary activity in the area. He is already planning to come back!” he said.