Louth delegation to go to New York for St Patrick's Day

Louth County Council plans to send a delegation to New York this year for the St Patrick's Day Parade, continuing a tradition it has upheld for many years.

As with previous years, the invitation to attend the St Patrick's Day Parade has been issued by 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.

The Dundalk Democrat asked Louth County Council if this year's trip was going ahead and if there had been any reservations about making this year's trip due to the current political climate in the United States.

Louth County Council confirmed to the Dundalk Democrat that it plans to attend this year's parade, saying that, "it is planned that a delegation from Louth County Council will travel to New York for St Patrick's Day at the invitation of the Co Louth Society of New York.

"Securing and building the Irish and local relationship in the US is critical at any time and all Irish representatives that travel will be expected to emphasise the mutually beneficial relationship between Ireland and the US."

While this year's itinerary has not been announced, the trip normally includes the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, as well as the Cathaoirligh of Dundalk and Ardee Municipal Districts, and the Mayor of Drogheda, as well as officials from Louth County Council. 

Last year, as with previous years, the delegation not only attended the Parade; it took part in a series of meetings 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.