Every county in Ireland partnered with EU state for Irish presidency – Tipp got Bulgaria
A perfect pairing by all accounts(Image: Mark Reid Photography and peterotoole / Getty Images)
In what will surely be seen as a great compliment to France, the upcoming Irish Presidency of the European Union will see that great nation paired with its natural counterpart on our island – Cork.
The Irish Government has announced details of an initiative to ‘engage communities across the country on Ireland’s European relationships during the upcoming Irish EU Presidency’ by pairing each county in the Republic with a member of the union.
And during the EU Presidency term, between July and December 2026, Ambassadors of EU Member States in Ireland and the Irish Ambassador in the relevant EU Member State capital, will visit counties across Ireland to undertake a programme of public engagements focused on Ireland’s European relations and its role in the European Union.
Cork’s status as the food capital of Ireland may have influenced the decision to pair the Rebel County with France, along with our sporting, cultural and intellectual prowess. Tipperary got Bulgaria.
Cork has links to France going back to the early Medieval period, when regular trade linked our city and its epic harbour with the great centres of trade, finance, and manufacture in France and northern Europe, links that played a big part in Cork being dubbed ‘The Rebel City’ by King Henry VII of England.
The programme will see the Rebel County paired with France, while the other Munster counties line out as:
Kerry – CzechiaClare – CroatiaLimerick – GermanyTipperary – BulgariaWaterford – Denmark
The months between July and December should see a lot of French-themed activities and events across Cork as we celebrate our links with Europe. But Ireland’s presidency is happening at a moment of huge change and risk for the EU, with Donald Trump again threating a wave of tarrifs on European countries as he tries to bully Denmark into ‘selling’ Greenland to him.
Irish diplomats and Ministers will see themselves caught up in what could be high-stakes manoeuvrings that could decide the future course of NATO, US-European relations and the reshaping of global alliances and orders.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD said: “Our EU Presidency will be a very significant undertaking for Ireland, and one in which the whole country will participate. The Presidency will allow us to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from all across Europe. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on what our European relationships mean, and the advantages as well as the responsibilities of our EU Membership.
“This initiative will promote and facilitate direct engagement between communities across Ireland and our partners in other EU Member States, and help to strengthen each county’s cultural, business and community links with other parts of Europe. It will also help to promote a national conversation on the importance of our EU membership and our European relationships, against the background of a challenging global environment.
“I am determined that this conversation should not be limited to only large cities or certain parts of the country, and I would like to thank the Ambassadors of our EU partners here in Ireland for their participation in what I know will be a very valuable initiative reaching communities across Ireland.”