Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney set for Mayo homecoming
The Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney is expected to visit Westport this summer
Mark Carney, who became Canadian Prime Minister just over a year ago, is set to make an eagerly anticipated visit to County Mayo, with the picturesque village of Aughagower at the heart of the planned trip in June.
While an official announcement is not expected until the week before the visit, excitement has already taken hold in the small village.
“We've heard the rumors that Prime Minister Carney is due a big visit to Ireland in June, but nothing has been confirmed,” said JP Scott, who runs the only retail business in Aughagower.
Carneys and Morans
Carney's connection to the area is personal and profound. Two of his grandparents hailed from Ayle and Mace, just outside Aughagower.
He has two first cousins once removed, Maureen O’Malley and Pat Carney, who still living locally.
In total, the Prime Minister has 21 second cousins in Mayo, and The Mayo News understands that members of his extended family have already been contacted about a potential meeting.
The Westport Historical Society has been researching the Carney and Moran family links in preparation for the visit, and is putting together a commemorative booklet to mark the occasion.
Homecoming
Speaking at a St Patrick's Day gathering in Ottawa, Carney movingly described how his family emigrated from Aughagower to Canada in 1925. He recalled the experience of locating his grandfather's baptismal record from St Patrick's Church in the village, and revealed that during his time as Governor of the Bank of England, he kept a map of County Mayo on the wall of his office.
Carney has been vocal on the world stage about the need for middle powers to unite in the face of a shifting global order, and he views Ireland as both a bridge to Europe and a potential broker for future trade agreements that could benefit Canada.
During the St Patrick’s Day event, Mayo Minister Dara Calleary conveyed the Taoiseach's existing invitation for Prime Minister Carney to visit Ireland, and extended a personal invitation to Mayo.