Dundalk councillor appeals for rethink on St Patrick's Day trip

Cllr Maeve Yore has called on Louth County Council to consider not taking part in this year's annual trip to New York for St Patrick's Day, due to the United States involvement in the conflict in Gaza at the moment, and to invite US delegates to Dundalk instead.

Since she was elected to Dundalk South in 2014, Cllr Yore has objected to what she calls “the annual junket to NY for St Patrick’s Day”, asking “what is the relevance of it, what is the cost to Louth taxpayers, and “where is the tangible evidence that shows it creates one job or tourist coming to Our County?”.

The Independent councillor has also suggested inviting local, national, UK and US based tour operators to Louth, “to showcase the scenic beautiful landscape’s, huge local artistic talent, cultural events, and all the rich heritage of Louth to boost the local economy and promote tourism in Louth on the international map”.

At the Louth County Council April 2023 meeting, Cllr Yore asked if the local authority would consider inviting the New York Society and tourist operators here to showcase Louth in 2024. A number of councillors at the monthly meeting had voiced their opposition to the suggestion but an idea that they be invited to Dundalk for St Brigid's Day was welcomed.

Responding to the suggestion to inviting New York dignitaries to Dundalk for St Patrick's Day at the April 2023 meeting, Chief Executive Joan Martin said that they could look into the suggestion, but added there was a long standing tradition of New York inviting the Council.

Ms Martin added that it was very difficult to explain to someone who hasn't been there, the importance to Louth people in New York of having people and having the Chair of their county there.

Louth County Council spent €17,034.36 on sending a delegation to New York for St Patrick’s Day last year, according to figures obtained by the Dundalk Democrat under a Freedom of Information request.

Cllr Yore told the Dundalk Democrat this week that “I have consistently called for the cost of the yearly visit to instead be spent on other measures to promote tourism in the county.

“Show me definite proof that Louth gets added to tour itineraries by US tour companies or that local businesses in Louth get contracts from these junkets, and as with any use of public taxpayers money there should to be targets set and progress reports given, in my ten years as an Independent Councillor for Louth we have never seen a progress report.”

With regards to Cllr Yore's proposal that Louth County Council not take part in this year's trip due to the conflict in Gaza, she said “I asked at our February County Meeting, with the genocide happening in Palestine have we considered for St Patrick’s Day not going to New York and inviting US delegates to Louth instead. “This year it isn’t about monetary cost it’s about moral courage.”

She added, “It is unpalatable to me, and to the general public who have raised this with me, that a delegation from Louth County Council would even consider the trip whilst Joe Biden and his administration are complicit in supplying missiles and assistance to Israel raining down death, destruction and devastation on Palestinian men, women and children and abetting genocide in Gaza and I would ask the elected representatives and council management to examine their conscience and moral compass and abandon this junket.”

The Dundalk Democrat contacted Louth County Council in relation to this year's trip to New York. In a statement on Monday (yesterday) Louth County Council said:

“Louth County Council representatives have been invited to attend the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York. The invitation issued from the County Louth Society of New York.

“The County Louth Society was formed in 1906 and to this day maintains strong ties with Louth, both through the emigrants from Louth it welcomes in, and those who return to Ireland investing back into the County.

“There is immense pride in those who emigrated from Louth in their connection to the County. The visit is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen existing ties and promote the county for tourism and business.

“The St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York is one of the largest in the world outside Ireland, and marching in same presents a unique opportunity to fly the flag quite literally for Louth. Footage of the parade is shown around the world allowing the image and idea of Louth to be beamed into innumerable sitting rooms and board rooms.

“Elected representatives travelling to New York to represent Louth include An Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Paula Butterly as first citizen of Louth, Cllr. Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr. Kevin Callan Deputy Mayor of Drogheda, and Cllr. Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District.

“Two Louth County Council officials will also be accompanying the delegation. The Delegation will not only attend the Parade; there is a series of meetings planned, with amongst others, the IDA, Tourism Ireland, the Irish Consulate, and Enterprise Ireland to highlight Louth as a county open and ready for business, strategically located on the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.

“While there is terrible conflict happening in the world, we consider that St. Patrick’s Day Parades held globally, are an international symbol and celebration of Irishness, connecting those of Irish heritage who left this country but who are still connected through history, culture, and family.

“Louth County Council Delegates are not only there to promote the county but are going to represent and connect the wider Louth family.