Mayo MEP to host major EU political gathering in Galway this month
MEP Maria Walsh will welcome the European People’s Party (EPP) for a three-day event in the West of Ireland
Mayo-based MEP Maria Walsh has confirmed that more than 100 European politicians, MEPs, business leaders and policy experts will travel to Galway next month for a major EU political event hosted in the West of Ireland.
The Group of the European People’s Party (EPP) Summer University will take place from June 10–12, bringing senior figures from across Europe, including EPP President Manfred Weber, to Galway for high-level discussions on transatlantic relations and EU policy priorities.
The EPP Summer University is one of the largest recurring political gatherings within the EU political system and brings together members of the European People’s Party from across member states for policy debate, training and strategic discussions.
MEP Walsh said hosting more than 100 delegates will provide a welcome boost for local businesses, hospitality and tourism operators, while also placing the West at the centre of key European policy discussions.
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“MEPs leading negotiations in Brussels on key files and policies will travel for the event, allowing them to see firsthand the challenges and opportunities we face on the ground,” MEP Walsh said. “This is a rare and significant occasion for the West of Ireland as the decisions these negotiators make in the European Parliament directly impact the lives and jobs of all in our region.”
She said the event also represents a significant opportunity for the West of Ireland, both economically and politically, as the region prepares to welcome one of the largest gatherings of European political representatives held in the EU.
A key focus of the three-day programme will be EU–US relations and transatlantic trade, alongside discussions on Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union and broader economic and geopolitical challenges facing Europe.
MEP Walsh noted that the West of Ireland has become a major hub for US companies and global business activity, making it a fitting location for discussions on Europe’s transatlantic future.
The programme will also examine Ireland’s role in shaping EU policy during its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with Walsh pointing to priorities such as strengthening the Common Agricultural Policy, advancing gender equality and ensuring mental health remains central to EU policy.
“The future of Europe is not shaped only in Brussels or national capitals,” Walsh said. “Regions like the West of Ireland have a vital role to play in Europe’s economic growth, innovation and political future.”