Canadian Prime Minister speaks proudly of Mayo roots

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, was joined by Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and his wife Diana, at the official St. Patrick’s Day reception in Ottawa hosted by Irish Ambassador to Canada John Concannon and his wife, Mary.

The reception, part of the Irish Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme, was held in the Ambassador’s residence in the Canadian capital on Wednesday 11th March. The event was attended by nearly 350 people including Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr. Seán Carey, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anana, Culture Minister Marc Miller and Chair of the Liberal Party and Chair of the Canadian-Ireland Friendship group, James Maloney.

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 journey’s 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”.

I have been delighted to hear about Canada Ireland 180 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: firstly to Remember that important time in our shared history and the resilience of those who endured it; secondly to Reflect on the intervening 180 years, on the contributions of Irish people to Canada’s history, culture, and identity; and thirdly to Reimagine our shared future, through new cultural, academic, and community partnerships.” 

During his remarks to the mix of Ambassaors, Politicians, business and community leaders and members of the Irish community in Ottawa, Prime Minister Carney spoke with emotion about his family’s story of immigration from Aughagower in Co.Mayo to Canada in 1925 and recalled tracking down his grandfather’s baptismal record from St. Patrick’s Church in Aughagower.

The Prime Minister went on to tell 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.

It was clear to all present that the Prime Minister is extremely proud of his Irish and Mayo heritage.

Speaking after the event, Minister Calleary said:

“It has been an absolute honour to meet with Prime Minister Carney at this evening’s reception. His speech tonight 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 concluded:

“I want to thank Ambassador Concannon, his wife Mary, the staff at the Irish Embassy in Ottawa and all of Team Ireland who are doing exceptional work on behalf of the country”.

Minister Calleary continues his visit to Canada and is travelling 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.