Meath County Council welcomes Italian Delegation for special EU Presidency programme

Meath County Council welcomed a diplomatic delegation to County Meath from Monday to Wednesday of this week as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency 2026 and the Italy–Meath County Pairing Programme.

The three-day programme saw An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Sarah Reilly with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD and Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD, welcome Ambassador of Italy to Ireland, Nicola Fagenello, and Ambassador of Ireland to Italy, Elizabeth McCullough, and their teams to the Royal County for a special three day tour to learn more about Meath.

The visit began with a roundtable discussion at the Thrive Centre of Business Excellence detailing the Council’s ongoing work and key priorities, followed by an EU institutional engagement at EU Grange, where the delegation met elected representatives and heard about the work undertaken at the facility.

Throughout the programme, the delegation experienced a broad cross-section of life in Meath and the connections already established between the county and Italy.

On Monday, visits included Ratoath College, where Italian is taught and students participate in an annual exchange with Liceo Scientifico Giacomo Ulivi in Parma; Dalgan Park, where the delegation explored the heritage of St Columbanus and links with Bobbio; and Navan Rugby Club, which has developed a twinning partnership with Piacenza Rugby Club. The day concluded with a Boyne Valley Flavours dining experience in Kells showcasing the Boyne Valley’s local food and drink offering.

Tuesday's programme highlighted education, enterprise, heritage and creativity, with visits to Carnaross National School, Sheridan's Cheesemongers, Trim Castle, and the Swift Cultural Centre, where guests experienced the work of local creative collective Meath Made, followed by a visit to Trim Library.

The programme also included a planned visit to Newgrange and the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site on Wednesday, showcasing more than 5,000 years of Meath's internationally significant heritage.

Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sarah Reilly, said: “We are immensely proud that Meath has been partnered with Italy as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme. Over these three days, we were proud to showcase the very best of our county, from our remarkable heritage and culture to our schools, businesses, sporting organisations and communities. Most importantly, it was an opportunity to bring people together, strengthen friendships and celebrate the many connections already shared between Meath and Italy.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD described the Italy–Meath County Pairing programme over the three days has "a phenomenal success", that truly brought Ireland’s EU Presidency into the heart of our local communities and provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of County Meath to the Italian guests.

“It was wonderful to see so many local schools, businesses, and community groups - including Navan Rugby Club, Meath Made, Carnaross National School, and Ratoath College - engage so enthusiastically in this cultural and civic exchange. This initiative not only deepens the strong bond between Ireland and Italy but also highlights how our work at the European level is directly connected to everyday life right here in Meath. My sincere thanks to Meath County Council, the Italian Embassy, and everyone involved for creating a lasting legacy that will extend well beyond our Presidency term."

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD said: “In taking on the EU Presidency, I wanted to ensure that our work is rooted in communities across Ireland and Meath. The EU Presidency County Pairings Programme was introduced to deepen the relationships that Irish communities share with our European partners. I am especially delighted to see Meath paired with Italy under this programme and I am excited to see how it will serve to deepen our ties into the future. I want to thank everyone involved in successfully delivering this programme.”

H.E. Elizabeth McCullough, Ambassador of Ireland to Italy said it had been a real privilege to join with the Cathaoirleach, CEO and others from Meath County Council, together with Ambassador Faganello, for the programme, which enabled us to discuss the European Union and the role of Ireland’s EU Presidency, and to witness firsthand the rich cultural heritage, and the strong educational, culinary, and economic connections between Meath and Italy.

"The programme has highlighted not only the relationships that exist today, but also the significant potential for future collaborations and exchange, further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Ireland and Italy. As members of the European Union, we will continue to work together to uphold our shared values and make Europe an even better and safer place in which to live and work.”

Ambassador of Italy to Ireland, H.E. Nicola Faganello - who was accompanied during the three days event by the Director of the Italian Institute of Culture, Michela Magrì, and by the Head of Dublin Desk at the Italian Trade Agency, Francesco Montana Paladini, said: “The Italy-Meath County Pairing Programme has demonstrated the value of local partnerships in strengthening the friendship between Italy and Ireland, while bringing Europe closer to its citizens. As Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Italy prepares to assume the Presidency in 2028, initiatives such as this help build stronger links between our communities and institutions. They also create opportunities to deepen engagement with the Italian community in Ireland and to promote cooperation across business, culture, the arts, research, higher education and innovation, contributing to a more connected, innovative and cohesive Europe.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe, said: “Meath and Italy may be separated geographically, but through our longstanding relationships we have seen how much we share. We value our communities, our heritage, our culture and, above all, the wellbeing and opportunities of our citizens, young and old. This programme gave us an excellent opportunity to build on those shared values, deepen existing friendships and create new connections that we hope will continue long beyond Ireland’s EU Presidency.”