New Zealand Ambassador tours around Wexford and analyses rugby form with local club
THE Ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland, Trevor Mallard, visited north Wexford recently, and enjoy a tour which featured a range of business, sporting, educational and tourism offerings in the area.
On Tuesday, September 10, Mr Mallard was in Gorey and Ferns as a guest of Senator Malcolm Byrne who explained the purpose of this visit was to “encourage greater understanding between our countries as well as exploring possibilities for further links. There are already quite a few between our communities and New Zealand and I was particularly encouraged by the number of businesses that are exploring trading relationships.”
Mr Mallard, who previously served as speaker in the New Zealand Parliament as well as Minister for Education, Minister for Public Expenditure, and Minister for Sport, talked about the important role that small countries such as Ireland and New Zealand can play working together on the international stage.
The visit commenced with a call to Kia Ora Mini Farm, the popular tourist attraction that is named after the Maori greeting “Kia Ora”. Maura O’Donohoe told the Ambassador about her connections to New Zealand and explained that the name was inspired by the friendliness of the experience she and her late husband, Paddy, felt when they visited. The Embassy team was then taken on a tour of the facility by Padraig O’Donohoe and were really impressed by the wide range of activities on offer for children.
Following that, the Ambassador paid a visit to Creagh College where he was asked by students about his career and about New Zealand.
“There was a good discussion on a wide range of topics, including the difficulties of decision making in politics and diplomacy.
Meetings with the County Wexford Chamber and Wexford Irish Farmers’ Association focused on trade and agricultural links respectively, with both organisations keen to learn and share ideas on how greater cooperation can take place between the two countries.
The Ambassador’s interest in history then saw a visit to Ferns and to the Medieval Experience, where he was guided by Catherine MacPartlin and her team through the activities of Diarmaid MacMurrough and the arrival of the Normans. That led to a tour of Ferns Castle provided by the Office of Public Works.
There was a Civic Welcome in Gorey with both Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Pip Breen and Gorey Kilmuckridge District Cathaoirleach Oliver Walsh, encouraging the Ambassador to send more Kiwi visitors to north Wexford as well as a discussion on farm practices.
Ambassador Mallard then spoke in the library and took questions on links between New Zealand and Ireland.
The final stop was to Gorey Rugby Club, where the respective fortunes of Ireland and New Zealand in rugby were analysed as well as the sporting links between the two island nations. This including a new addition to Gorey’s rugby squad recently arrived from Auckland.
Speaking afterwards, Senator Byrne said, “It was a long day but much gratitude to all who were so welcoming to the Ambassador and his team.
“We know that friendships and business and other opportunities will be fostered through such trips.”
THERE ARE ALREADY QUITE A FEW LINKS BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITIES AND NEW ZEALAND