Eight years after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s last official bilateral trip to the Republic of Ireland, current Prime Minister Mark Carney has touched down in Dublin for a landmark two-day visit that aims to deepen political, economic and people-to-people ties between the two North Atlantic nations.
Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney arrived at Dublin Airport shortly after 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, where they were formally welcomed by Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Gardaí, Ireland’s national police service, has noted that any traffic disruptions tied to the visit will be confined to small local areas and kept minimal, though temporary rolling road closures will be implemented across Saturday to accommodate the visit’s itinerary and required security escorts.
At a joint press briefing held at Dublin’s Government Buildings following their opening meeting, Martin extended a warm, nationwide welcome to the Canadian leader, noting his deep Irish roots. “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,” Martin said, framing the visit as a unique chance to celebrate and reinforce the longstanding bond between Ireland and Canada.
Responding to the welcome, Carney expressed gratitude for the hospitality, calling the trip a personal and professional milestone. “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 said.
Beyond ceremonial welcomes, the core policy focus of the visit is the adoption of a new framework for strategic and economic partnership between the two countries. The Irish government confirmed the agreement will expand collaboration across a range of high-priority sectors, including bilateral trade and investment, life sciences, academic research and innovation, and security and defense cooperation.
Economic data released ahead of the meeting shows that bilateral ties have already expanded dramatically in recent years. Total two-way trade in goods and services between Ireland and Canada jumped from €3.2 billion (£2.76 billion) in 2016 to more than €12 billion (£10.35 billion) in 2024. Canadian direct investment in Ireland has grown 131% over the same period, and Ireland currently ranks as Canada’s eighth-largest foreign investor globally.
On Saturday evening, Carney will be the guest of honor at an official dinner hosted at Dublin’s historic Dublin Castle, before traveling to Trinity College Dublin on Sunday to deliver a public address. The visit also carries deep personal meaning for Carney, who traces his heritage to Ireland. On the second day of the trip, he will travel west to County Mayo, to visit Aghagower, the small village where his paternal grandparents lived before emigrating to Canada more than a century ago.
While in Aghagower, Carney will attend Mass at the local parish church and tour the nearby village cemetery, where multiple generations of his ancestors are buried. He also has a second set of grandparents with roots in County Cavan. After his visit to the ancestral village, Carney will travel to nearby Westport to meet with Irish President Catherine Connolly to wrap up his official trip.