Minister McEntee undertakes St. Patrick’s Day visit to Boston

Minister McEntee undertakes St. Patrick's Day visit to Boston

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 16 March 2026
• Last updated on: 16 March 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, continues her St. Patrick's Day programme in Boston today, Monday 16 March, with a number of trade promotion engagements, the U.S. launch of the new International Sports Diplomacy Strategy and an America 250 event hosted by the Governor of Massachusetts and Mayor of Boston.

The Minister said: "My St. Patrick's Day programme in Boston allows us to further deepen our political, trade and cultural links with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with one of the most significant Irish diaspora communities in the world. It is also an honour to be able to attend the 'Evacuation Day' celebrations in Boston in this 250th anniversary year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

On Sunday, Minister McEntee participated in the traditional St. Patrick's Day festivities, including marching in the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade alongside City and State leadership. She also met with leaders of the Irish community and visited the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston in Canton and the Irish Pastoral Centre in Dorchester.

Today, 16 March, Minister McEntee launched Ireland's International Sports Diplomacy Strategy in the United States in Boston's Fenway Park. The Minister is also taking part in a number of trade promotion engagements with clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Bord Bia. Meetings with Enterprise Ireland and IDA clients have a particular focus on companies operating in the Medtech and Life Sciences sectors, with Boston being a major hub for these industries. The Minister will promote Irish seafood at the Seafood Expo, North America's largest seafood trade fair.

The visit provides an opportunity for the Minister to engage with Massachusetts' political leadership, including Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu and the Massachusetts Irish American State Legislators' Caucus.

Minister McEntee will deliver a keynote address at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on Tuesday, 17 March. The Minister will reflect on the invaluable role of Irish American political leadership in building relations and securing peace on the island of Ireland. She will acknowledge the significant contribution of the Kennedy family in particular, whose legacy remains one of the most significant in Irish American history.

ENDS

Press Office

16 March 2026