His Excellency Lautențiu Ștefan, the Romanian Ambassador to Ireland, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Georgeta Bratu, Minister Counsellor, were warmly welcomed to City Hall, Sligo on Saturday last by Mayor Cllr. Tom MacSharry and Deputy Chief Executive Marie Whelan, alongside Councillors Gibbons and McSharry, Minister Marian Harkin, and members of Sligo’s Romanian community.
Romanian Ambassador Visits Sligo to Strengthen Bilateral and Community Ties
The meeting brought together key business stakeholders, including Aidan Doyle CEO, Sligo Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Shona Heffernan Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office Sligo, and Finbarr Filan Chairperson, Sligo Business Improvement District (BID), to discuss opportunities for economic collaboration, cultural exchange, and community integration.
Shared History and Vision
Welcoming the Ambassador, Mayor Cllr. MacSharry highlighted the deepening relationship between Ireland and Romania, built on shared values, economic partnerships, and cultural exchanges:
“Today marks a celebration of friendship—between Romania and Ireland, between our peoples, and between our shared hopes for the future. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, a pivotal year that saw Romania emerge from a transformative chapter in its history, Ireland has stood beside your nation as a friend and fellow EU member. Together, we have navigated the journey from hope to partnership, united by democratic values, economic collaboration, and a mutual commitment to peace and prosperity in Europe.”
Mayor Cllr. MacSharry emphasised the importance of the Romanian community in Ireland, the €1 billion bilateral trade relationship, and the growing connections in business, technology, and culture. He spoke of Sligo’s transformation as a centre for innovation and sustainable growth, with key projects such as Queen Maeve Square, the Urban Regeneration Plan, and the establishment of Atlantic Technological University positioning Sligo as a leader in education and enterprise.
Cultural Connections and Shared Heritage
The Mayor reflected on literary connections between Ireland and Romania, particularly the link between Sligo and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which drew inspiration from Romanian folklore. He recalled the visit of Dacre Stoker (Bram Stoker’s great-grandnephew) to Sligo in 2019, underscoring the enduring cultural ties between the two nations.
Business & Economic Collaboration
Aidan Doyle, CEO of Sligo Chamber of Commerce & Industry, outlined how the Chamber works to promote Sligo’s long-term economic development, attract investment, and support local businesses in gaining a competitive advantage.
Shona Heffernan, Business Advisor at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Sligo, spoke about the role of LEO in fostering economic growth, encouraging entrepreneurship, and supporting both indigenous enterprises and inward investment.
Finbarr Filan, Chairperson of Sligo Business Improvement District (BID), highlighted the work of Sligo BID in promoting Sligo as a thriving destination. He shared details on initiatives such as the Sligo Welcome Ambassador, the Love Sligo gift card, and the role of BID in organising major events like the St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Sligo Tidy Towns.
Strengthening Ties
Ambassador Ștefan expressed gratitude for the warm reception and praised Sligo’s dynamic community and economic vision. Discussions focused on advancing collaboration through business delegations, academic partnerships, and cultural initiatives, with an emphasis on leveraging EU networks and shared values.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to further strengthening the relationship between Sligo and Romania, with new opportunities for collaboration identified across multiple sectors.