In celebration of the 37-year San José and Dublin, Ireland sister city relationship, earlier this month the City of San José hosted the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland, Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy and a six-member Dublin City Council delegation. This was the first official visit to San José by a delegation from Dublin since March 2019.

Above: Group photo of the delegation along with City Council members 

Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy’s delegation included Councilors Tom Brabazon, Claire Byrne, Alison Gilliland, Chief Executive Owen Keegan, Fanchea Gibson, head of International Relations, and Grainne Kelly, Office of the Lord Mayor.

The Lord Mayor and Dublin City Council delegation was welcomed to San José by Mayor Matt Mahan and members of the San José City Council at a City Hall Ireland-Dublin flag raising ceremony. Irish Consul General Micheal Smith participated in the flag raising and spoke of Ireland’s deep trade and investment ties with the U.S. and California.

A key focus of the sister city bond is the sharing of ideas of city programs and services. During their visit to San José, the Dublin City Council officials met with several City departments to learn of the City’s work in areas, such as youth programs, libraries, housing, economic development and city management and engage in dialogue.

Above: Nicholas Kuwada and Zulma Maciel of the City of San José Office of Racial Equity with Dublin Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy following their meeting at San José City Hall.

The Lord Mayor and Dublin officials participated in several community events, including the San Jose Shamrock Run, a San Jose Sharks game at the SAP Center, and a dinner in a renovated barn hosted by the San José Dublin Sister City Program.

Above: Mayor Matt Mahan with Dublin Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy (next to Mayor) and the Dublin City Council delegation prior to the start of the Shamrock Run.

The Lord Mayor and delegation returned to Dublin with the best wishes of the City and people of San José.

For more information about the San José Dublin Sister City program, please contact Joe Hedges at joe.hedges@sanjoseca.gov or visit San José Dublin Sister City Program at www.sanjosedublin.org