Walsh sets out for ten-day visit to Ireland tonight

A large billboard in Carna, Co. Galway trumpeted the candidacy of Mayor Marty Walsh. The mayor begins a 10-day tour of the country this weekend with a visit to Connemara villages Rosmuc and Carna, the birthplaces of his parents, Mary and John. 	Judy Enright photoA large billboard in Carna, Co. Galway trumpeted the candidacy of Mayor Marty Walsh. The mayor begins a 10-day tour of the country this weekend with a visit to Connemara villages Rosmuc and Carna, the birthplaces of his parents, Mary and John. Judy Enright photo

Mayor Martin Walsh leaves Boston today for a ten-day visit to the Emerald Isle. Walsh’s first official visit to Ireland as mayor will include private time with family in Connemara, County Galway— where the mayor’s parents were born and raised. He will also visit parts the country’s capitol city, Dublin and parts of Northern Ireland— including Derry and Belfast. Walsh’s visit to Belfast will be the first since he agreed to a “sister city” arrangement with that city’s mayor last March.

“The overall goal of this trip is to support Boston’s economic development through building relationships and strengthening our commercial and cultural link with Ireland,” said Kate Norton, a spokesperson for the mayor.

The first weekend of the mayor’s visit will be centered in Connemara, the rugged west-coast region of the republic where the native Irish language is still widely spoken. The 47 year-old Walsh will receive a hero’s welcome in the villages of Connemara, where campaign signs from his 2013 mayoral campaign still dot the side of the road.

Upon arrival on Friday, the mayor will meet with local officials at Shannon Airport before setting out for County Galway for four days. From Wed., Sept. 24, through Fri., Sept. 26, the mayor will make stops in Mayo, Donegal, Derry, Belfast, and Dublin and meet with local elected officials and business leaders in each location. He will head back to Galway before flying home to Boston on Mon., Sept. 29.

City Council president Bill Linehan will assume duties as acting mayor during Walsh’s time in Ireland. The mayor’s trip will be covered by the Dorchester Reporter and our sister publication, the Boston Irish Reporter, which will provide updates about the trip online at bostonirish.com and on Twitter, @DotNews.


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