Governance and Administration

Cork County Council Government, Trade and Tourism Delegation to Boston

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn will lead a delegation from Cork County Council to Boston, Massachusetts, USA following an invitation from President of Boston City Council Ed Flynn, to mark 300 years of the Irish contribution to the state of Massachusetts. The delegation’s key mission is to build upon existing relationships while continuing to cultivate economic and tourism opportunities for Cork in the United States.

One of the highlights of the visit includes a reception at Boston City Hall where Mayor O’Flynn will meet with Mayor of the City of Boston Michelle Wu and President of Boston City Council Ed Flynn before delivering a keynote speech to Boston City Council. Mayor O’Flynn has also been invited to meet with representatives at the Massachusetts State House, the state capitol and seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the Governor’s Office.

Several key meetings form part of the delegations packed itinerary, including meetings with Segun Idowu, Chief Economic Development and Inclusion and Yuxi Wang, International Business Strategy Manager, Boston City Council, the Consulate General of Ireland and the Boston Irish Business Association. Meetings with Mayor of the City of Quincy, Thomas P. Koch and Thomas Cahill, President of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce will take place with the emphasis on furthering the formal economic partnership between the two regions. The delegation will also join the Boston Beara Society at a special reception which marks the incredible history between both regions.

The sixth smallest state in the United States by land area, Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England region, with over seven million residents. In 2021, the USA was Ireland’s largest export market, with exports valued at just over €52 billion and significant levels of trade between Ireland and the USA, with approximately 900 IDA-supported American companies located in Ireland, across all sectors. There are 122 IDA-supported American companies located in Cork, including prominent multinationals such as Pfizer, Janssen, Johnson Controls, Gilead Sciences, Eli Lilly, Dell EMC etc. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland both have offices in Boston. As of the end of 2018, the state of Massachusetts was home to nearly 5,500 Irish company employees, across almost 100 locations. Prominent Irish companies with a base in MA include, ICON, SilverCloud and Netwatch Group while a number of prominent Boston-founded / headquartered US companies based in Cork include Boston Scientific and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Cork is now competing on a global stage and continuing to build international relationships is fundamental to economic success.

Boston Itinerary

Monday, 18 September 2023
  • Departures
Tuesday, 19 September 2023
  • 10:30, Meeting with Consulate General of Ireland
  • 12:30, Meeting with Quincy Chamber of Commerce
  • 14:00, Meeting with the Mayor of the City of Quincy, Thomas P. Kock, Quincy City Hall
  • 18:00, Boston Beara Society Reception
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
  • 11:00, Meeting Mayor of the City of Boston, Michelle Wu, President Boston City Council Ed Flynn and members of Boston City Council
  • 15:30, Meeting with Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Development and Inclusion, and with Yuxi Wang, International Business Strategy Manager, Boston City Council
  • 19.30, Scituate Representatives Reception
Thursday, 21 September 2023
  • 11:00, Massachusetts State House Reception
  • 15:00, Meeting with Boston Irish Business Association
Friday, 22 September 2023
  • 10.00, Visit to Massport, Conley Shipping Terminal
Saturday, 23 September 2023
  • Departures.

Projected Costs

Flights - €14,470
Hotels - €23,779

Delegates

  1. The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn
  2. Tim Lucey, Chief Executive Cork County Council (18th- 20th September)
  3. Cllr. Danny Collins
  4. Cllr. Patrick Gerard Murphy
  5. Cllr. Caroline Cronin
  6. Cllr. Anthony Barry
  7. Cllr. Alan Coleman
  8. Cllr. Michael Hegarty
  9. Cllr. Joe Carroll
  10. Mairead Lucey, Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council
  11. Lisa O’Riordan, Communications Officer, Cork County Council
  12. Rose Carroll, Tourism Officer Cork, County Council
  13. Mary Hickey, Senior Staff Officer, Cork County Council