With the global order under strain and economic ties increasingly used as leverage, Canada’s prime minister has told an audience in Dublin that Ireland and Canada can still “be a force for good” — if they deepen their partnership.
Mark Carney made the remarks during the inaugural De Chastelain Public Lecture at Trinity College Dublin, a centrepiece of his two-day visit to Ireland.
In a wide-ranging address, Mr Carney argued that economic integration was being weaponised, while conflicts around the world were spreading and changing shape.
“Canada, Ireland, and Europe are increasingly and immediately vulnerable to once-distant threats,” he said.
Even so, he said both countries were exceptionally well positioned to act constructively together, expressing hope that “the strands of a new and better world” could soon be woven.
At the heart of his approach, Mr Carney said, is a determination to build closer links among likeminded countries — “reliable partners”, as he described them.
He told the Trinity audience that Canada and Ireland safeguard shared values including human rights, dignity and pluralism.
For Mr Carney, who has Irish grandparents, the trip has been framed by both sides as a return to family roots.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary welcome the Carneys to Ireland
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland was welcoming the Canadian Prime Minister “home”.
Mr Carney, who has Irish grandparents, is in Ireland for a two-day visit which will see him take part in engagements in Dublin city centre.
He will also visit his grandparent’s birthplace in Co Mayo tomorrow.
The Canadian prime minister arrived with his wife Diana Fox at Dublin Airport this morning, where they were greeted by the Taoiseach and his wife Mary Martin.
Canadian ambassador to Ireland Dennis King and his wife Jana Hemphill were also present, as well as Irish ambassador to Canada John Concannon and his wife Mary.
The prime minister and Taoiseach then held a one-on-one engagement and joint press conference at Government Buildings.
At the press conference, Mr Carney and Mr Martin announced a new “bilateral co-operation framework” on trade and investment, life sciences, research and innovation, and security and defence.
Watch: Taoiseach welcomes Canadian Prime Minister ‘home’ to Ireland
Mr Martin repeated at the event that Ireland was welcoming the prime minister “home”.
“I know I speak for the people of Mayo, and indeed for the Irish people more broadly, when I say that we are deeply honoured to welcome him back,” he said.
Mr Carney replied: “Micheál, thank you for welcoming me back home.
“It is a true pleasure to return to Dublin, and an honour to be the first Canadian prime minister in a decade to be making an official visit here.”
He had earlier signed the official guestbook in Mr Martin’s office, writing: “In deep appreciation for your leadership and that of Ireland towards a deeper relationship between our countries based on our shared history, common valued and bold ambitions.”
The Government described the trip as a “significant milestone” for the relationship between the two countries.
It pointed to deep historical connections, noting that 4.4 million Canadians — more than 12% of the population — claim Irish heritage.
This weekend’s visit by the Canadian leader to the land of his forebears comes at a notable moment for both countries.
Mr Carney has spoken of Canada’s need to pursue fresh alliances and new markets while reducing reliance on the United States. Ireland, meanwhile, also views Canada as a useful partner at a time when uncertainty around US trade continues to ripple across global commerce, creating openings to expand trade in goods and services.
The Ireland stop is part of a six day whistle-stop European itinerary: Mr Carney visited France yesterday and is due to return there to take part in the G7 summit.
This evening, he is attending a gala dinner at Dublin Castle, where he is meeting other members of the Government and is also set to deliver a speech.
At the dinner, the Taoiseach said the two countries “enjoy a thriving and prosperous relationship”.
“In the most unpredictable of global environments, we recognise that we have a opportunity to forge new and powerful ties between Ireland and Canada and Europe,” he said.
Mr Carney told guests that Canada, Ireland and Europe are standing at the threshold of a “rupture in the global system”.
Raising a toast, he said: “A blessing to the kinship between the Irish and Canadian people, may we always meet each other at the threshold and cross it together.”
Gardaí expect some rolling traffic delays in the city centre.
Delighted to welcome Canadian Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Madame Diana Fox Carney to Ireland.
An opportunity to strengthen the close bonds between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/M9VNYxWizC
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 13, 2026
Tomorrow, in Co Mayo it is likely that there will be traffic delays and restrictions.
The official elements of the Mayo leg will begin in Westport, where Mr Carney is to meet President Catherine Connolly at Westport House.
He will then travel to the area his family comes from, where he is expected to attend mass in the parish church and visit Aughagower graveyard.
Aughagower graveyard in Co Mayo
Later on, a civic reception in Westport to honour the Canadian prime minister is expected to bring the historic trip to a close.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and sharper international divisions, Ireland and Canada have steadily expanded their ties.
Trade between the two countries has grown from €3.2 billion in 2016 to €12bn today.
The Government said it believes it has now enacted the legislation required to clear the way for the formal ratification of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Among the Canadian products imported into Ireland are cereals, while pharmaceutical products are the leading Irish exports to Canada.
When Irish emigration to North America is discussed, the United States is often the first destination that comes to mind.
Yet in Canada, Irish-Canadians are the third largest ethnic group, with 4.5 million people — 12% of the population — claiming Irish heritage.
Watch: Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney arriving at Dublin Airport
Evidence of the esteem for Ireland in Canada was highlighted in the Canadian House of Commons five years ago, when a motion designating March as Irish Heritage month was adopted.
While migration links stretch back centuries, Ireland and Canada have maintained diplomatic relations for 87 years, a relationship that remains strong.
Ireland has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver and Toronto, while Canada maintains an embassy in Dublin.
According to the prime minister’s office, Mr Carney will use the visit to focus on “deepening longstanding cultural and people-to-people ties and expanding trade ties”.
Canada also regards Ireland as one of its “most like minded partners in the European Union”, sharing “core democratic values and common priorities”.
While this is the first official visit to Ireland by a Canadian prime minister in nearly a decade, it is the first official visit ever by a Canadian prime minister to Co Mayo.
Two of Mr Carney’s grandparents emigrated from Aughagower in 1925, underscoring the personal dimension of the visit — and giving the prime minister a chance to meet his Mayo cousins.
While his father reportedly visited decades ago, locals say this is Mr Carney’s first visit.
Additional reporting PA
