Austrian delegation visits Kildare
Pupils from Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Ambassador of Austria to Ireland Melitta Schubert; Cathoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Tim Durkan; Cllr Mark Leigh, cathaoirleach of the Athy Municipal District Photo: Tadhg Nathan Photography
KILDARE welcomed an Austrian delegation to the county for a three-day programme of civic, cultural, educational, heritage and enterprise engagements last week between Wednesday and Friday.
The delegation included Ambassador of Austria to Ireland Melitta Schubert and Ireland’s Ambassador to Austria Barbara Cullinane.
The visit forms part of Kildare County Council’s wider programme marking Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026.
The programme is designed to build lasting local links across Europe through visits to schools, libraries, sports clubs and community organisations, alongside public events and conversations. It also showcases County Kildare’s heritage, innovation, education, tourism, arts and culture, community life and civic partnerships, with a strong focus on youth engagement and visits to each of the county’s five Municipal Districts.
Youth engagement is a central part of the programme, with opportunities for young people to take part in the welcome events, school visits and cultural exchanges taking place across the county.
The delegation began its visit in Athy on Wednesday morning with a welcome event at Athy Library, which included introductions, an overview of the programme, and musical performances by Athy Youthreach and Music Generation Jazz Band.
Local schoolchildren also helped extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation before the group visited the Ernest Shackleton Memorial in Emily Square.
The programme also included a visit to the Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub, where the delegation toured the facility and met local food producers and entrepreneurs.
The first day concluded in Newbridge with a visit to Ryston Hall, where the delegation met the Newbridge Bad Lippspringe Twinning Group and received a short presentation on the history and benefits of town twinning, followed by a dance performance.
Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, cllr Tim Durkan said lauded the initiative after the first day of the visit: “We are very pleased to welcome the Austrian delegation to County Kildare as part of our programme of activity connected to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Today’s engagements in Athy and Newbridge provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase local arts, culture, enterprise and community spirit, while strengthening the international civic relationships that help connect Kildare with communities across Europe.” Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council added: “This visit is an important opportunity to strengthen civic, educational, cultural and community links between County Kildare and our European partners.” Ms Kavanagh said the delegation would meet young people, community group and local organisations “while highlighting Kildare’s rich heritage, tourism offering, enterprise supports, arts and culture, and strong tradition of hospitality.” The programme continued on Thursday in Kildare Town and Naas, including visits to St Brigid’s Cathedral, St Brigid’s Primary School, Naas Library and Cultural Centre, and a presentation by Into Kildare on the county’s Horse Country brand and world-renowned equine and bloodstock industry.
The visit concluded on Friday with a visit to Hewetson National School in Clane where they would with students and plant a commemorative tree in recognition of the delegation's visit.
They then travelled to Ardclough, where the delegation will learn more about the county’s historic connection with Arthur Guinness and continue its programme of local community and cultural engagement.
