Government announces St Patrick’s Day destinations for local Ministers

Donegal TD and the Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, will travel to Asia as part of the Government’s 2026 St Patrick’s Day programme.

Minister McConalogue of Fianna Fáil, Minister at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, will be at Thailand and Vietnam for the occasion, of which he is one of numerous representatives of the State, including the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, to travel to more than 50 countries to promote Ireland, Irish values and Ireland’s interests across the world.

Elsewhere, the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which includes south Donegal towns Bundoran and Ballyshannon within its remit, will also have representatives to travel to global locations as part of the celebrations.

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Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan, Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, will also travel to Asia, as he will represent the Government at the Philippines and Singapore, whereas Independent Marian Harkin, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, will stay somewhat closer to home in France and Monaco. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, said: “St. Patrick’s Day provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Ireland on the global stage and to engage at the highest levels with political, business, civil society, cultural and diaspora leaders. This year, 40 representatives of the State will carry Ireland’s message to cities across more than 50 countries worldwide.

“The theme for St. Patrick’s Day 2026 will highlight Ireland’s place in the world as a small, open trading economy. It will reflect our economic success, built on openness and strong partnerships, and Ireland’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism.”