Galway City Council welcomed the Irish Ambassador to Estonia, James Sherry, and the Estonian Ambassador to Ireland, Kairi Künka, to Galway this week (Tuesday 21 July), as part of the Galway–Estonia Exchange Event, delivered under the County Pairings Programme during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event formed part of the Department of Foreign Affairs' Communicating Europe Initiative, which supports projects that increase public awareness of the European Union and its impact on everyday life.
The exchange event brought together community organisations, elected members, youth representatives, cultural groups, businesses, and members of the public to celebrate Galway's relationship with Estonia and to explore the value of European cooperation at local level.
Activities included a civic reception, cultural performances, a screening of an Estonian documentary, and presentations highlighting Galway’s partnership with not only Estonia but other EU countries, through a number of projects funded by the European Union which help make Galway a more vibrant city to live, work, visit, invest and study.
The exchange also took in a walking tour of the City, stopping at the statues of renowned writers Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde on Shop Street. Eduard Vilde is one of the most revered figures in Estonian literature. The statues were created by Estonian sculptor, Tiiu Kirsipuu, as a tribute to the two writers, imagining the scene had they met in real life. The original sculpture is located in Tartu, Estonia – with this replica gifted to Galway by Estonia when it joined the EU in 2004.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Helen Ogbu, said:
"This event demonstrates the value of building strong relationships across Europe and provides an opportunity for local communities to engage directly with representatives of an EU Member State, and our partners in Estonia. Through the County Pairings Programme, the public is learning how European cooperation benefits communities, and creates opportunities for collaboration. This exchange event highlights Galway City’s growing international connections, and is a fitting way to mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union and to celebrate Galway's place within the wider European community”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, said:
"Galway City has a long history of working with European partners through cultural exchanges, EU-funded projects and international networks.
These partnerships are not abstract concepts; they deliver tangible benefits for our city and our communities. They support innovation, economic development, culture, sustainability, education and community engagement. Importantly, it also created opportunities for new connections and future collaboration between Galway and Estonia."
As part of the Exchange the Ambassadors met representatives from Galway Chamber, Galway City Community Network, Comhairle na nÓg, cultural organisations, and businesses based at the Portershed Innovation Hub. Discussions focused on future opportunities for collaboration, innovation, cultural exchange, and strengthening links between Galway and Estonia beyond Ireland's EU Presidency.
The Galway–Estonia Exchange Event was delivered by Galway City Council as part of the County Pairings Programme during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. The Communicating Europe Initiative is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
