The President, The Poem, The Canadian Prime Minister and The Mayo News
Canadian Prime Minister meets Irish President in Westport House and Civic Reception hosted in his honour at Westport Town Hall Theatre
The sun glistened across the water as the signets glided near the swan in Westport House oblivious to the significance of the cavalcade arriving.
The national treasure was the venue for the meeting of President Catherine Connolly and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The historical significance of the grandson of tenant farmers on the Lord Sligo estate walking up the steps of the former landlord’s house as the leader of one the world’s great nations shows how much Ireland has changed over two generations.
The signets showed that while some things change, some things stay the same.
There was a customary handshake and wave before the two crossed the threshold of the house.
Having read last week’s Mayo News, President Catherine Connolly was struck by Ger Reidy’s poem, ‘Aughagower.’
The Mayo News can reveal that the President shared a cutting of a poem from the newspaper with the Canadian Prime Minister, who was profoundly impressed by it.
Tree Planting
Later on Sunday, after Mass in Aughagower, The Mayo News understands that the Canadian Prime Minister pulled the clipping from his pocket before asking poet Ger Reidy if he had written it.
The Aughagower poet then read out the poem and presented a framed copy of the specially penned Aughagower poem as well as a framed copy of a second he had written for the Westport Historical Society’s Commemorative History booklet of the Carney and Moran families.
Madame Diana Fox Carney, the wife of Mark Carney, was also presented with a box of Aughagower woman Marlene Foy’s famous chocolates. She was delighted with the gift and told Kitty Foy that the chocolates “wouldn’t last long”, joking that they may be eaten in the car.
Civic Reception
Popular Westport institution, The Creel at the Quay, was the next stop for the Carneys as they had lunch there. One of the Westport locals to meet them there was Canadian citizen Ciara Hughes.
Next up was the Civic Reception held in Mark Carney’s honour in Westport Town Hall Theatre, which just so happens to be run by his second cousin Rosaleen Heraty.
The venue also had symbolic significance as it was where Mark Carney’s grandfather, Robert Carney, was recruited by Joe Ring into the Civic Guard.
Red Cabot of Cabot’s Cookery School also made sure to use Edward Mannion’s honey, which is made in the original homeplace of Robert Carey in Ayle.
The Clew Bay Pipe Band were on hand to welcome him in style.
Despite a crucial Mayo GAA game against Tyrone, hundreds of people gathered in the sunshine on the Octagon to welcome the returning grandson of Mayo as he received the highest honour Mayo County Council can bestow.
Whether by accident or design, the Canadian Prime Minister managed to arrive after the final whistle of the game. In a funny moment, the Taoiseach, Minister Dara Calleary and his wife Siobhan, Minister of State Alan Dillon, Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and Cllr Michael Kilcoyne gathered around Senator Mark Duffy’s phone to catch the last couple of minutes of the game.
Cultural celebration
Henry McGlade was the compere for the cultural celebration of the reception with Boxing Banjo,, Achill musician Des Cafferkey, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Alan Doyle and the Cuimsiú Mhaigheo Performance Group showcasing both Irish and Canadian music, the finale of which saw all the musicians return to the stage and the entire room join in as Maya Bullard from the Cuimsiú Mhaigheo Performance Group sang “Oh ro sé de bha abhaile”.
Dinner in JJ O’Malleys followed for the Canadian Prime Minister and his wife before enjoying music in the legendary Matt Molloy’s pub.
The Canadian Prime Minister and his wife stayed in The Grace hotel for the visit and left for Ireland West Airport on Monday morning.
Ciaran Reidy, General Manager of The Grace told The Mayo News that “it's been an honour welcoming the Prime Minister and Mrs Carney. It’s absolutely fantastic for the Westport Estate and for The Grace in putting Westport and Clew Bay on the map in the Northwest, particularly in the Canadian market and Canadian eyes. He's connected with the community, he's connected with Aughagower, and we look forward to welcoming him back again soon.”