The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, have today (16 January 2026) announced details of an initiative which will engage communities across the country on Ireland's European relationships during the upcoming Irish EU Presidency.

During the EU Presidency term, between July and December 2026, Ambassadors of EU Member States in Ireland, accompanied by the Irish Ambassador in the relevant EU Member State capital, will visit counties across Ireland to undertake a programme of public engagements focused on Ireland's European relations and its role in the European Union. Each county in the State will be "paired" with a specific Member State of the EU for the period of the Presidency.

In each county in the State, the Ambassadors will participate in a range of public events, including talks at local libraries and visits to schools, as well as engaging with local authorities and local communities through sporting, community, youth and civil society organisations. The visits will help to strengthen links between counties across Ireland and other EU Member States, and will contribute to building Ireland's relationship with its EU partners as Ireland takes on a significant leadership role at European level.

Announcing the initiative, Minister McEntee said: "Our EU Presidency will be a very significant undertaking for Ireland, and one in which the whole country will participate. The Presidency will allow us to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from all across Europe. It's also an opportunity for us to reflect on what our European relationships mean, and the advantages as well as the responsibilities of our EU Membership.

"This initiative will promote and facilitate direct engagement between communities across Ireland and our partners in other EU Member States, and help to strengthen each county's cultural, business and community links with other parts of Europe. It will also help to promote a national conversation on the importance of our EU membership and our European relationships, against the background of a challenging global environment. I am determined that this conversation should not be limited to only large cities or certain parts of the country, and I would like to thank the Ambassadors of our EU partners here in Ireland for their participation in what I know will be a very valuable initiative reaching communities across Ireland."

Announcing the initiative, Minister Byrne said: "Since last year, I have visited villages, towns and cities across Ireland, to talk with people about the importance of our EU membership and the role that Ireland will play during our EU Presidency. In all these visits, the strong interest in discussing Ireland's place in the EU, and our relationships with other parts of Europe, has been very evident. I know this initiative will help to build on that interest and deepen the relationships communities across the country have with our European partners. I am grateful to the EU Ambassadors based in Ireland for joining this exciting initiative taking place across Ireland."

The programme of visits by Ambassadors will commence in July 2026, following the opening of Ireland's EU Presidency term.

Details of the pairings between counties and other EU Member States for the purposes of this outreach initiative are as follows:

ENDS

Press Office

16 January 2026