Laois council officials heading to USA twice this year despite 'Mr Trump'

Laois County Council is heading to the USA twice this year, for St Patricks Day celebrations as well as for a Tennessee rodeo some months later, but one councillor is against the March trip, because of the current political situation.

Members of Laois County Council's management and the elected Cathaoirleach, Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh have taken up the invitation by the Laois Association of New York, to visit the city from March 13 to 18.

Then in May a bigger delegation will visit Tennessee for the Franklin Rodeo, and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the USA's foundation. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran asked, as she did a year ago, to consider Canada instead of the United States for St Patrick's Day.

"Can we look at going outside of the States, with all that's going on over there with Mr Trump? Could we look at Canada, could we look at European countries? If we are trying to build relations, but maybe do something? Fair enough for this year, but for next year, is it something that we could look at?" she asked, when the trip was approved at the January 2026 council meeting.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Walsh said "it's something we can consider".

"Don't just say consider and then that's the end of it. I'm serious. Why are we wasting time and money going over there," Cllr Moran said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly proposed the approval of the New York trip.

"This is an invitation of the Laois Association. You're not going to be going to the White House. We should respect their invitation. Every county in Ireland will be there," he said.

Each year the council takes the trip, which includes meetings with business and tourism representatives in New York as well as marching in the New York St Patrick's Day parade.

This year the Laois Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins will also be marching in the parade, representing Laois and the tralee festival. The whirlwind trip comes days after she won the 2026 Irish Dancing With The Stars.

The councillors also approved the acceptance of an invitation to the Rodeo in Franklin, which is a sister city to Laois.

Last year, Timahoe Male Choir joined the Laois delegation on the trip which leader Damien Bowe said reminded him of their star turn at Electric Picnic. See story and photos here.