12 March 2026
By Valerie Ryan
valerie@TheCork.ie
Delegations from Cork County are to visit Chicago, Detroit, and New York as part of the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day engagements. These high‑level visits will provide a valuable platform to promote Cork County’s economic and tourism strengths while further strengthening existing partnerships with Cook County and the City of Detroit.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, will lead official delegations to New York and Chicago as part of the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day programme. While in New York, the Mayor will attend the Cork BP&P Association of New York’s 141st Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner, as well as a series of formal engagements including meetings with the IDA, the Consulate General of Ireland, and Tourism Ireland. Mayor Linehan Foley will also participate in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In Chicago, the Mayor will meet with the Consul General and representatives of the Cook County – Cork County Joint Partnership, and will take part in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade as part of the official itinerary.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Cork County Cook County Sistership agreement. The partnership has served to develop international trade and develop and strengthen relations between companies, institutions, organisations, and individual entrepreneurs.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Ian Doyle will lead the delegation to Detroit, attending the St Patrick’s Day parade there, as well as visiting Corktown, a neighbourhood settled by many Cork emigrants during the Famine. The Deputy Mayor will also attend meetings with the Mayor of Detroit, the Gaelic League/Irish American League, Bill Ford and Consult for State of Michigan, Joe McGill.
New York Itinerary
7th March – The County Cork Benevolent Patriotic and Protective Association of New York’s 141st Annual St. Patrick’s Ball
9th March – Meeting with Consulate General of Ireland
9th March – Meeting with IDA Ireland
17th March – New York St. Patricks Day Parade
18th March – Meeting with Tourism Ireland
18th March – Meeting with the Co. Cork B.P.& P Association of New York
Chicago Itinerary
11th March – Welcome Reception, Theatre on the Lake
12th March – Meeting with Consul General, Mr. Brian Cahalane
12th March – Cook County Board Room Meeting
12th March – Cook County Cork County Joint Partnership Meeting
12th March – Mayor’s Reception for Cork County Cook County
13th March – Irish American Partnership Breakfast
13th March – Irish Fellowship Dinner
14th March – Chicago St Patricks Day Parade
Detroit Itinerary
13th March – Meetup in Corktown
13th March – Meeting with Mayor of Detroit, Mayor Sheffield
14th March – Gaelic League/Irish American League Lunch
14th March – Meeting with Mr Bill Ford
14th March – Visit Detroit Dinner
15th March – Detroit St. Patricks Day Parade
16th March – Meeting with Consult for State of Michigan, Joe McGill
Delegates New York
Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Cork County Council
Cllr. Micheal Hegarty
Eileen Coleman, Director of Services, Cork County Council
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley
Delegates Chicago
Cllr. Caroline Cronin
Cllr. William O’Leary
Karina Cremin, Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council
Ger Barry, Director of Services, Cork County Council
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley
Delegates Detroit
Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Ian Doyle
Cllr. Audrey Buckley
Keith Jones, Director of Services, Cork County Council