British Ambassador to visit Mayo as she completes tour of Ireland’s 26 counties

British Ambassador to Ireland Kara Owen is visiting Mayo today, Friday, October 16, as she completes her ambition to visit all 26 counties during her first year in the role.

The Ambassador’s visit to Mayo and Sligo will focus on business, investment and cultural connections between Ireland and the UK.

A key part of her Mayo itinerary will be the sod-turning ceremony for the new Pro Rail Academy in Kiltimagh.

The academy is being developed by UK-headquartered Pro Rail Services and will focus on skills and workforce development in the rail sector.

The investment highlights the growing business links between Mayo and the UK.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Owen will travel to Ireland West Airport Knock, where she is due to meet Minister of State Dara Calleary.

Earlier in the day, she will visit Sligo, where her engagements include a tour of health food company Good4U and a visit to The Model arts centre.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Ambassador Owen said completing her tour of Ireland’s 26 counties was a significant personal milestone.

“One of the goals I set myself when I arrived in Ireland was to visit all 26 counties during my first year as British Ambassador,” she said. “As this visit to Sligo and Mayo completes that journey, I have been thinking very much about the many fabulous people and communities I have met along the way.”

She praised the warmth and community spirit she had encountered throughout the country.

“Every county has shown me something different. But everywhere, it’s impossible to miss the warmth, talent and sense of community that can be found across this country.”

Special connection to the West

The Ambassador said she was particularly pleased to finish her nationwide tour in Mayo, a county with which she has a special connection.

“As people may know, I have a special connection to the West of Ireland, and it seems fitting that this journey ends in Mayo,” she said.

She also recalled one of her favourite memories from her first year in Ireland — joining Mayo supporters as they celebrated an All-Ireland victory.

“Sitting among supporters as they cried, laughed, and cheered the county’s All-Ireland victory. Being invited into that moment was very special, with all the pride, history, and community of the moment on full show.”

Ambassador Owen said her travels had also given her a greater understanding of the relationship between Ireland and the UK.

“Over the past year I have also seen, at every level, the strength of the relationship between the UK and Ireland,” she said. “From local partnerships and business links to the close engagement between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, there is real momentum in our relationship.”

The British Embassy said the visit reflects its commitment to strengthening economic, cultural and community links between the two countries.