The Ambassador of Italy to Ireland, H.E. Nicola Faganello, took part – together with the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin, Michela Magrì, and the Head of the Dublin Desk of the Italian Trade Agency, Francesco Montana Paladini – in a programme of visits and meetings in County Meath, held from 19 to 21 October, as part of the twinning initiative between EU Member States and Irish counties, conceived under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The twinning programme, organised by Meath County Council, aims to strengthen ties between Italy and the aforementioned county through cooperation between institutions, schools, sports associations, cultural organisations and businesses. The initiative was further enhanced by the participation of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, Helen McEntee TD; Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD; and Ambassador of Ireland to Italy, H.E. Elizabeth McCullough.
The programme opened with an institutional meeting at the Thrive Centre of Business Excellence in Navan, the county town, with Cllr. Sarah Reilly, Cathaoirleach, and Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council. Discussions focused on the county’s priorities and development prospects. This was followed by a visit to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (part of DG SANTE), based at EU Grange. During his remarks, Ambassador Faganello highlighted the importance of the twinning initiative between Italy and County Meath in strengthening relations between the two countries, bringing Europe closer to its citizens and fostering new institutional synergies, while encouraging the active involvement of both communities. He also thanked Eric Thévenard, Director of EU Grange, for his valuable work in promoting safe, sustainable and high-quality food systems. The visit also provided an opportunity to meet Italian nationals working at this important institution.
Considerable attention was then given to education and cultural exchanges, with visits to Ratoath College – where 450 young people are studying Italian and taking part in an exchange programme with the Giacomo Ulivi Scientific High School in Parma – and to Carnaross National School, where the Italian Cultural Institute organised an introductory lesson in Italian for the students. The programme also highlighted historical and spiritual ties through a visit to Dalgan Park (the main location of the Missionaries of St Colomban, the historic Irish monk who founded Bobbio Abbey in Piacenza in 614 AD). Sporting ties were celebrated during a meeting at Navan Rugby Club, which has been a partner of Piacenza Rugby Club A.S.D. since 2023.
The programme further explored the region’s gastronomic excellence in Kells through the Boyne Valley Flavours Dining Experience and a visit to Sheridan’s Cheesemongers (a prominent showcase for local food specialities and an importer of Italian products). In Trim, the programme concluded with visits to Trim Castle, the Meath Made craft initiative and the town library.
