Ireland/US Sister Summit launched as part of ‘Ireland 2016’ Programme

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Dublin, 23rd September 2015 The Ireland US Sister City Summit was launched in Dublin yesterday by Ardmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath, Críona Ní Dhálaigh and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Arder Carson. The Summit will begin in every county or city on the Island with the local programme for their USA Sister Cities and culminate in Dublin between April 22nd and 24th 2016.

As part of the 2016 programme to celebrate the 1916 Rising, a delegation of Mayors, business, education and youth leaders from the USA will be invited to participate in the summit. The delegation will come from locations in the USA that have a sister city (twinning) agreement with cities, counties and towns on the Island of Ireland. There are over 60 twinning links between locations in Ireland and locations in the USA.

Ardmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath Críona Ní Dhálaigh commented “1916 was a pivotal moment in the birth of modern Ireland. This Summit will celebrate that moment by acknowledging and redefining the unique relationship between the USA and the Island of Ireland. That relationship is founded in common cultural links shared economic opportunity and a recognition of the importance of respecting the diverse traditions on this island and of this world. De réir a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.”

Peter Finnegan, Director, International Relations, Dublin City Council said “The Summit will acknowledge and celebrate the unique relationship between the USA and the Island of Ireland which has found particular expression through investment, business and innovation, as well as the Irish peace process. It is a fantastic opportunity to promote Ireland as a location for investment, study, tourism and business events, as well as building new partnerships between business, higher education, youth and civic leaders.”

Fao; Picture Desk 22092015 no reproduction Fee Summit to take place on 22nd and 23rd April 2016 as part of 1916 centenary celebrations Dublin 22nd September, 2015 ÊTwin sisters Gemma and Sarah Keenan (aged 13 from Donaghmede) with ArdmhŽara Bhaile çtha Cliath, Cllr Cr’ona N’ Dh‡laigh and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Arder Carson outside the Mansion House launched the Ireland US Sister City Summit, which is taking place in Dublin on 22nd and 23rd of April 2016. Ê There are over 60 twinning links between Ireland and the USA. Delegations from the cities/counties/towns on the Island of Ireland that are twinned with the individual USA cities will be invited to take part in the summit next year as part of a programme of events to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Rising. Picture Colm Mahady / Fennells - Copyright 2015 Fennell Photography.

The theme of the Summit will be ‘Independence and Interdependence’, which will celebrate the US and Ireland’s shared histories and recognise the importance of these shared histories in leading to a smart future. It will be jointly hosted by Dublin and San Jose, California, with which Dublin is twinned. In 2016, San Jose and Dublin will celebrate 30 years of a mutually beneficial twinning relationship. 2016 will also mark the 60th Anniversary of the establishment by President Eisenhower of Sister Cities International as an promoter of Citizen Diplomacy .

It is intended that, following the summit, the individual USA delegations would travel to their sister city/county town for a locally organised programme.

The initiative is supported by the Senator Kerry and the State Department in the USA, the Irish Government, the US Ambassador to Ireland and the Irish Ambassador to the US.