Waterford Showcases its Strengths in First-Ever St. Patrick’s Day Visit to Boston
In a jam-packed itinerary over four days, the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy and Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, Sean McKeown flew the flag for Waterford in Boston, Massachusetts. The visit commenced with a St. Patricks Day reception hosted by Síghle Fitzgerald, Consul General of Ireland in Boston, to celebrate the strong and enduring links between Ireland and the US. The event provided an opportunity to connect with many of those spearheading the Irish business, enterprise and academic communities in Boston.
At a St. Patrick’s Day reception, hosted by Senator Nick Collins, the Waterford delegation met with state, local and city elected officials. Also in attendance was Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who addressed the gathering at the South Boston Political Breakfast. Following a meeting with Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, the Mayor of Waterford City and County was invited to walk alongside the Mayor and Minister Peter Burke to lead the Boston St. Patricks’ Day–Evacuation Parade, along with members of the South Boston Citizen’s Association.
The Mayor and Chief Executive also attended an event hosted by the Irish American Partnership where they celebrated the Partnership’s 30th Annual St. Patricks Day breakfast in Boston. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, was again present and he gave the keynote address at the event. It was followed by a meeting with Waterford woman, Sharon Cunningham, co-founder of Shorla Oncology, and her husband Stephen Cunningham. Shorla Oncology operates in both Ireland and the US and specialises in developing innovative oncology drugs, focusing on indications where existing treatments are either limited, in short supply or are inadequate for the target population.
The delegates then met with the Shane Lawlor, Vice President of Life Sciences with the IDA and Keith Newton, Vice President for International Financial Services the IDA Boston Office, which offers assistance to companies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont with the view to supporting companies with expansion into Ireland across all business sectors. The meeting was a valuable opportunity to showcase Waterford’s robust tech, pharma, life sciences and manufacturing sectors, which provide diverse career opportunities, a strong talent pipeline, and a research and development support network of several Centres of Excellence, such as the Walton Institute, SEAM, PMBRC and ArcLabs, using their industry knowledge and cutting-edge innovation to support high potential start-ups and cultivate local industry.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Boston College Ireland, the Mayor of Waterford City and County also attended a panel discussion focusing on the many sweeping changes that have occurred in Ireland over the past quarter of a century, analysing the challenges and opportunities these developments have had on the study of Ireland, both on the island of Ireland and in America.
The Mayor and Chief Executive were welcomed to Boston College by Provost and Dean of Faculties at Boston College, David Quigley and received a private meeting with the Provost. They also met with Professor Mary Murphy, who hails from Waterford and only six months ago took up the position of Professor of Political Science and Director of the Irish Institute, Boston College. During the trip, the Waterford representatives, were also given a tour of the Massachusetts State House, which serves as the home for the State Senate House of Representatives and Governor’s Office. The Mayor was received by Senator Nick Collins in the State House and was presented with an official citation from the State Senate in recognition of the visit and partnership with the City of Boston.
Reflecting on the visit, the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said that the visit not only helped to copper fasten Waterford’s relationship with the United States in general and Boston in particular, but also to explore and nurture new opportunities for investment from US multinationals.
“We are living in a globally tumultuous political landscape. However, we can never underestimate the power of collaboration, co-operation and dialogue. “Waterford, by having an on-the-ground presence in Boston over St. Patrick’s weekend, was a great opportunity to meet with elected officials, academics and Bostonians. But more importantly, it was invaluable to get front and centre with the Minister of Enterprise and the IDA’s Boston Office to underline what Waterford, as Ireland’s Oldest City, has to offer to US companies in terms of world-class talent, infrastructure, quality of life and support networks.”
