Canada’s new leader is heading to Ireland next week, combining high-level diplomacy with a personal family connection that stretches back more than a century.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Dublin for talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, marking the first bilateral visit to Ireland by a Canadian Prime Minister in nearly a decade.
From the capital, Mr Carney will continue on to Co Mayo, where he is due to meet President Catherine Connolly.
The visit carries added significance for Mr Carney: two of his grandparents emigrated from Aughagower, near Westport, to Canada more than 100 years ago.
According to his office, the trip will centre on strengthening Canada and Ireland’s longstanding cultural links and people-to-people ties, while also broadening cooperation in agri-food, digital innovation, AI, pharmaceuticals and climate.
The meeting in Dublin comes after the Taoiseach had planned to lead a major trade mission to Canada in April alongside several ministers, but the trip was called off amid fuel price protests across Ireland.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr Martin said he is looking forward to welcoming Mr Carney and noted that the Canadian leader 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 be 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.”
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.
After Ireland, Mr Carney is set to travel onward to France to take part in the 2026 G7 Leaders’ summit.
Mark Carney became Prine Minister of Canada last year following remarkable elections.
Despite dismal polling for his Liberal party and having no elected office experience, the former Bank of England governor took the helm of the party in an election that was focus on who could best handle Donald Trump.
When his election victory was announced last year, the Chairperson of the Ireland Canada Business Association said Mr Carney’s win was very positive for Ireland.
