Canadian Prime Minister speaks warmly about Mayo roots at St. Patrick’s Day reception
CANADIAN Prime Minister Mark Carney has been speaking fondly about his Mayo roots this St. Patrick's weekend.
At a reception in Ottawa, Prime Minister Carney spoke with emotion about his family’s story of immigration from Aughagower, near Westport, to Canada in 1925 and recalled tracking down his grandfather’s baptismal record from St. Patrick’s Church in Aughagower.
He told the captivated audience about how, when Governor of the Bank of England, he kept a map of Co. Mayo on the wall of his office to remind him where he came from.
Minister Dara Calleary and the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Sean Carey, were among the attendance at a reception in Ottawa hosted by Irish Ambassador to Canada John Concannon and his wife, Mary, as part of the Irish government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme.
Addressing the reception, Minister Calleary spoke of the deep cultural ties that bind the two countries together going back hundreds of years: “The story of Ireland is the story of emigration. It is a story of extraordinary ambition and resilience. It is a story of journeys that were often painful and, at times, final. But in our darkest hours, Canada has been a light; a beacon of hope and a friend. Canada has always had a warm welcome for the Irish and that is clear again here tonight.”
The minister said he was delighted to hear about the Canada Ireland 180 initiative from Ambassador Concannon.
Canada Ireland 180 aims to commemorate the legacy of Ireland’s famine refugees in Canada and will be guided by three core themes: to remember that important time in our shared history and the resilience of those who endured it; to reflect on the intervening 180 years, on the contributions of Irish people to Canada’s history, culture, and identity; and to reimagine our shared future, through new cultural, academic, and community partnerships.
Speaking after the event, Minister Calleary said: “It has been an absolute honour to meet with Prime Minister Carney. His speech reflects the kind of man he is; thoughtful, sincere, humble and full of gratitude.
“We had some time afterwards to speak privately and, along with Ambassador Concannon, I took the opportunity to reiterate the governments strong desire to strengthen and expand our relationship with Canada. The Taoiseach will travel to Canada with a ministerial delegation in the coming months and this will further set out our desire to continue and develop our close working relationship.
“I, of course, reminded the Prime Minister of the Taoiseach’s invitation to visit Ireland and told him I would be delighted to welcome him to Mayo should that visit happen."
Minister Calleary's itinerary includes a visit to Montreal and then on to Toronto where he will take part in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday before returning home on Monday.