Press release
Tánaiste announces new Honorary Consuls in Edmonton and Quebec
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, TD has announced the appointment of two new Honorary Consuls in Canada.
Mr Colm O’Carroll has been appointed as Honorary Consul to Edmonton and Alberta, North of Red Deer, and Mr Bryan O’Gallagher has been appointed as Honorary Consul to Québec. There are now three diplomatic missions, five Honorary Consuls, one Vice Honorary Consul and three Irish state agencies across Canada.
Welcoming the appointments, the Tánaiste said: “I am delighted to appoint two new Honorary Consuls in Canada. This is a sign of the enduring deep bonds our two countries share and the ongoing importance of our social, cultural and economic links with Canada.
“I am confident that Mr O’Carroll in Edmonton and Mr O’Gallagher in Québec will strengthen Ireland’s presence here. First and foremost, in providing important consular services to Irish citizens here, but also in strengthening trade links, and promoting Irish heritage and culture.
“I would also like to pay tribute to our previous Honorary Consuls in Edmonton, Ms Bridget (Doodie) Cahill, and in Québec, Dr Michael Kenneally, who both did exemplary work.”
On his appointment as Honorary Consul to Edmonton and Alberta, North of Reed Deer, Mr O’Carroll said: “As a proud Irish-Canadian I am honoured to be appointed as Honorary Consul to Edmonton. I would like to thank Ms Bridget (Doodie) Cahill for the immense effort she made as Honorary Consul in Edmonton, I know I have big boots to fill. I very much look forward to working on behalf of the Irish Government to strengthen ties between Ireland and Edmonton. I will work hard to provide consular support to Irish citizens, to promote Irish culture and to deepen business links.”
Colm O’Carroll was born in Cork and emigrated to Canada in 1981. He founded Epsilon Chemicals Ltd. with his wife Lynda in 1990. He has remained closely tied to Ireland and is an active member of the Irish diaspora. In 1994, he became a member of the national board of the Ireland Fund of Canada, where he remained until 2006.
On his appointment as Honorary Consul to Québec, Mr O’Gallagher said: “The bonds between Québec and Ireland have been strong for centuries. It is an honour to have the opportunity to represent Ireland in Québec where my family have long worked to foster lasting relationships between those of us with Irish roots and other Quebecers and I am excited to formally continue this tradition.
“Over the next three years, I will work hard to provide consular services to Irish citizens, to strengthen business and cultural connections and to continue my ongoing work to promote Irish heritage throughout the Province. I would also like to thank Dr Michael Kenneally who excelled in this role previously. I hope to build on his achievements over the coming years.”
A Québec native, Bryan O’Gallagher, a bi-lingual English-French speaking lawyer, is well-established in the Irish community in Québec, and is notably the current Chair of Irish Heritage Québec. His family came to Canada during the Famine and were instrumental in setting up Grosse-Ile and ensuring it remained an Irish memorial in Canada to victims of the Famine.
ENDS
Press Office
13 March 2023