A civic reception may be held in West Mayo for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is expected to travel to Ireland later this summer, writes Joan Geraghty.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy proposed at a meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District last week that the reception be held in Aughagower where Mr Carney’s ancestors hailed from.
“It would be nice for Westport-Belmullet Municipal District to host a civic reception, and it would be historic to mark it in Westport as we have great connections here with him.”
He added that he expected Mayo County Council would be hosting a function for the Prime Minister in Castlebar, “but the fact he is originally from Aughagower, it would be brilliant to have one there”.
Cllr John O’Malley said the Prime Minister would be very welcome in West Mayo, adding: “Mr Carney is a great friend of Ireland and our own people who emigrated were always very well looked after in Canada.”
Cllr O’Malley asked that the narrow road up to the homestead of Mr Carney’s family be “done up” in time for the visit.
“We can’t have him going up it and it filled with potholes and briars; he would go back to Canada with an awful story.”
Cllr Chris Maxwell also supported the call for Westport-Belmullet Municipal District to host a reception for Prime Minister Carney.
