County mayor part of Cork delegation to US for St Patrick's Day

AS the exodus abroad by government officials gains momentum ahead of  St Patrick’s Day, a Cork County delegation – including both county mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy and deputy mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley –  will visit Chicago, Detroit and New York for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The focus of the trip will be both to promote Cork as an attractive destination with top class visitor attractions, conference facilities and amenities as well as continuing to build upon and strengthen the connections between County Cork and the United States.

One of the highlights of the visit will be the signing of a Friendship Agreement between the city of Detroit and the County of Cork. The Chicago visit marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a similar Friendship Agreement signed between Cook County and Cork County in 1999.

In New York, deputy mayor, Cllr Foley will address the Cork New York Association and carry out other formal engagements including meeting with representatives from the Irish Arts Centre, Fáilte Ireland and the Consul General, ensuring that Cork’s abundant offering is promoted extensively.

Mayor Murphy notes the importance of the trip in terms of international relations, trade and foreign investment.

‘Friendship Agreements, like the one we are entering into with the city of Detroit, open up vast opportunities for our county, from introducing Cork companies to the US market to generating extensive growth in business, tourism and much more,’ said Cllr Murphy.

‘Our key mission on this trip is to maximise the potential of the links we have forget and continue to grow between Cork county and the United States.’