‘We sold Fingal – Fingal will benefit!’ – outgoing Mayor, Cllr Trevor Mahoney
Rose Barrett
Fingal County Council and Fingal Chamber have united to strengthen relationships between Fingal and Washington State.
This is hoped to establish greater economic, educational and tourism opportunities between Fingal and Washington State.
Following a visit by a delegation from Seattle delegation to Ireland in 2019 pre-Covid, a leadership delegation made up of representatives from FCC, Fingal Chamber, DCU, Skillnet and TUD, visited North West America recently and held a series of high-level meetings with officials, colleges and companies across Washington State.
In the coming months, FCC, Chamber and Colleges will follow up on the opportunities discussed with various organisations in Seattle in respect of tourism, cultural exchange, renewable energy, clean technology, circular economy, education and training and digital transformation.
There are high hopes since the visit that ties will be strengthened through collaborative projects to enhance the local economic and community environments of both Fingal and Washington State.
The Fingal delegation was led by outgoing Mayor, Cllr Howard Mahony, and Fingal Chamber Vice-President Kevin Smith. They were joined by FCC CE AnnMarie Farrelly, Fingal Chamber CE Anthony Cooney and President of DCU, Daire Keogh.
The delegation also included Cllr Darragh Butler, Chair of FCC’s Economic, Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development Strategic Policy Committee.
The delegation met with Greg Wong, Deputy Mayor of Seattle; Lynne Robinson, Mayor of Bellevue; and Matt Mahoney, Mayor of Des Moines. Meetings were also held with Microsoft, Riot Games, Greater Seattle Partners, Seattle Port Authority, CleanTech Alliance, Downtown Seattle Association, Visit Seattle, Sound Transit, Washington University and Highline College.
Reflecting on the trip, outgoing Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony said: “We certainly made fabulous connections. From a business perspective Fingal will benefit. We sold Fingal. I felt it was successful and we will do well out of this as a county.”
Anthony Cooney, CE of Fingal Chamber said: “We are thrilled to strengthen our links with Washington State and seize the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. By fostering collaboration in sectors such as education, clean technology, and the circular economy, we can drive sustainable growth and create a prosperous future for both Fingal and Washington State.”
- Shopping Centre prominent for Mental Health Ireland
- ‘We’re running the Dublin Marathon for our son Ross – and to help other parents and families to cope with suicide’
- One in ten people in Ireland do not have a family GP – Laya healthcare reveals
- Disney’s Hit Musical “Aladdin” flies into the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre March 2024
- Marty Morrissey at the premiere of the Hurler -A Campions Tale
