Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is to make an official visit to Ireland next week.
Mr Carney will travel to Dublin to meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in what will be the first bilateral visit to Ireland by a Canadian Prime Minister in almost a decade, reports RTE.
He will then travel to Co Mayo, where he will meet President Catherine Connolly.
Mr Carney’s two grandparents departed Aughagower near Westport over a century ago to begin a new life in Canada, reports RTE.
His office said that during his time in Ireland, he will focus on deepening the longstanding cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries, as well as expanding relationships across agri-food, digital innovation, AI, pharmaceuticals and climate.
The Taoiseach had been due to travel on a major trade mission to Canada in April, accompanied by several ministers, but the trip was cancelled following fuel price protests across Ireland, reports RTE.
In a statement, Mr Martin said he is looking forward to meeting Mr Carney and noted that he is “proud of his Irish heritage.”
“We will be discussing ways to strengthen our bilateral relations even further,” Mr Martin said.
“Canada is an important economic partner for Ireland, with strong trade in goods and services in both directions. CETA is close to being fully ratified by the Oireachtas, so this is an ideal time to explore further options for economic cooperation across a range of sectors.
“We will also discuss global issues including the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine. Canada and Ireland have an excellent working relationship on the global stage and, as we face many geopolitical challenges, it is important that we work closely together to support peaceful resolutions,” reports RTE.
In 2025, bilateral merchant trade between Canada and Ireland totalled $6 billion, with Canadian exports to Ireland valued at $1.1 billion and imports at $4.9 billion.
Following his Irish visit, Mr Carney will travel to France to take part in the 2026 G7 Leaders’ summit, reports RTE.
Mark Carney became Prime Minister of Canada last year following a remarkable election campaign.
Despite deeply unfavourable polling for his Liberal party and having no prior experience in elected office, the former Bank of England governor assumed the party leadership in a contest dominated by the question of who was best placed to deal with Donald Trump, reports RTE.
At the time of his election, the Chairperson of the Ireland Canada Business Association said Mr Carney’s victory was very positive for Ireland.
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