Taoiseach says Ireland is welcoming Canadian PM Carney home
At a joint press conference, Mr Martin said: "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."
For Mark Carney, the road to Dublin is also a road back to family. Ireland is welcoming the Canadian prime minister “home”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, framing the visit as both a diplomatic engagement and a personal return.
Mr Carney, whose grandparents were born in Ireland, is due to travel to Mayo tomorrow to visit their birthplace as part of the trip.
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At a joint press conference, Mr Martin said: “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.”
Mr Carney said: “Micheál, thank you for welcoming me back home.
The two men also unveiled a new bilateral partnership covering trade, climate action and science.
Earlier, Mr Carney, accompanied by his wife Diana Fox Carney, received a red-carpet welcome at Dublin Airport from Mr Martin and his wife Mary.
Also there were Canadian ambassador to Ireland Dennis King and his wife Jana Hemphill, along with Irish ambassador to Canada John Concannon and his wife Mary.
At Government Buildings, the prime minister signed the guest book 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 official weekend visit by Canada’s prime minister to the land of his ancestors comes at a consequential moment for both Ireland and Canada.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary greet the Carneys on their arrival in Ireland
Mr Carney has spoken plainly about Canada’s need to build fresh alliances and open new markets, reducing its reliance on the United States. For Ireland, too, trade uncertainty around the US has sharpened the appeal of Canada as a partner for expanding commerce in goods and services.
His stop in Ireland forms part of a six-day dash through Europe. He visited France yesterday and is due to return there for the G7 summit.
Emmanuel Macron with Mark Carney at the Élysée Presidential Palace in Paris
Later today, after a visit to Trinity College, Mr Carney will attend an official State dinner at Dublin Castle, where he is expected to meet other members of the Government and deliver a speech.
Gardaí are expecting rolling traffic delays in the city centre.
Delighted to welcome Canadian Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Madame Diana Fox Carney to Ireland.
A chance to reinforce the close ties between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/M9VNYxWizC
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 13, 2026
Tomorrow, traffic delays and restrictions are likely in Mayo. The formal programme there will begin in Westport, where Mr Carney is to meet President Catherine Connolly in the historic surroundings of Westport House.
He will then travel on to the area his family comes from, where he is scheduled to attend Mass in the parish church and visit Aughagower graveyard.
Aughagower graveyard in Co Mayo
Later, a civic reception in Westport in honour of the Canadian prime minister will draw the landmark visit to a close.
At a time marked by global strain and geopolitical tension, Ireland and Canada have steadily deepened their relationship.
Trade between the two countries has climbed from €3.2 billion in 2016 to €12 billion today.
The Government says it has now passed the necessary legislation to pave the way for the formal ratification of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Cereals are among the Canadian products imported into Ireland, while pharmaceutical products remain the leading Irish exports to Canada.
When Irish migration to North America is remembered, the United States often dominates the picture. Yet in Canada, Irish Canadians make up the third largest ethnic group, with 4.5 million people — or 12% of the population — claiming Irish heritage.
Watch: Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney arriving at Dublin Airport
A measure of that affection came five years ago in the Canadian House of Commons, when a motion designating March as Irish Heritage Month was adopted.
Migration links stretch back centuries, but Ireland and Canada have also shared diplomatic relations for the past 87 years, ties that remain strong.
Ireland maintains an embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver and Toronto, while Canada has an embassy in Dublin.
According to the prime minister’s office, Mr Carney’s visit will centre on “deepening longstanding cultural and people-to-people ties and expanding trade ties”.
Canada, for its part, regards Ireland as one of its “most like minded partners in the European Union”, sharing “core democratic values and common priorities”.
While it is the first official visit to Ireland by a Canadian prime minister in nearly a decade, it is also the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Co Mayo.
Two of Mr Carney’s grandparents emigrated from Aughagower in 1925, making this a genuine homecoming for the prime minister, who is expected to meet many of his Mayo cousins.
Locals say that while his father reportedly visited decades ago, this will be Mr Carney’s first trip.
For the Carney family, it promises to be a historic occasion.
Additional reporting PA
