Cork County Council Montana Trade, Tourism and Education Delegation 2025

Introduction

A delegation from Cork County Council will visit Montana this month to mark 150 years of connection between Irish communities from various counties and the people of Montana. 

The historic and cultural links between the city of Butte, Montana and County Cork date back to the late 19th and early 20th Century when a significant wave of Irish immigrants arrived to work in the booming copper mines. Approximately 1,500 miners from the Beara Peninsula migrated to Montana following the failure of the copper mines in Allihies. 

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll will lead the delegation to Missoula, Helena, Butte and Yellowstone where they will attend meetings at the Montana World Trade Centre, the University of Montana and the State Capitol.  

Beidh an toscaireact i dteannta ionadaithe ó Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge, ó Chomhairle Contae na Mí agus ó Chomhairle Contae an Chabháin.  Beidh grúpa ó Bhéara in Iarthar Chorcaí in éineacht leis an toscaireacht ag fáiltiú speisialta ar an Céadaoin áit a ndéanfaí comóradh ar an nasc stairiúil atá idir an dhá réigiúin.

As part of the visit, the delegation will also spend time in Yellowstone National Park to gain insights into natural heritage management and sustainable tourism.  The experience will offer useful learnings that could be adapted to enhance outdoor and visitor amenities in County Cork. 

Montana Itinerary

Sunday, May 18th

3.00PM Depart Ireland

Monday May 19th - Missoula

9.00AM Meeting with Montana industries at Montana World Trade Centre
10.30AM Meeting with University of Montana
2.30PM Meeting with City Commission, Council Members and Legislative Officials
3.00PM Networking Event
6.00PM Distinguished Speaker Programme Event

Tuesday May 20th – Helena

9.30AM Meeting with Local Government, City Council and Legislative Officials
12.00PM 150th Celebration of Irish & Montana Connections with State Government 
Followed by Tour of Montana State Capitol. 

Wednesday May 21st – Butte

9.00AM Meeting with Butte City Mayor and City Commissioners
11.00AM Granite Mountain Mine Memorial
14:30PM Saint Patrick Cemetery 
15:30PM Anselmo Mine Tour 
17:00PM Tour of Headframe Distillery 
19:00PM Networking Dinner and Reception 

Thursday May 22nd – Virgina City

10:00AM Travel from Butte City to Virginia City 
11:30AM  Meeting with Director of Montana Heritage Commission
13:30PM Tour of Virgina City 
15:00PM Depart Virginia City for West Yellowstone 

Friday May 23rd - Yellowstone

Saturday May 24th – Yellowstone

Sunday May 25th 

11.00AM Travel to Seattle for onwards flight to Dublin on Monday May 26th

Delegates

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll
Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy plus assistant
Cllr Caroline Cronin
Cllr Alan Coleman
Niall Healy, Divisional Manager, Cork County Council

Costs

Flights - €7,546.24
Hotels - €12,959.00