Australian Ambassador Richard Andrews to visit County Wexford

COUNTY Wexford is due to host a visit by the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Richard Andrews.

Mr. Andrews will tour the county on Friday, June 1, delivering a talk at Bree national school, turning the sod on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in Our Lady’s Island and attending Enniscorthy Strawberry Fair.

He will be accompanied on the visit by Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe and will meet senior officials from Wexford County Council to discuss how to strengthen ties between Australia and County Wexford.

Minister Kehoe said he believes the visit is important given the large number of Irish emigrants in Australia, many of whom are from Wexford.

‘I hope the visit will be very productive and will provide Ambassador Andrews with an insight into the cultural and economic fabric of the county.’

‘This is another opportunity to strengthen ties and put on display what Wexford has to offer’, he said.

Ambassador Andrews recently spoke of the ‘significant contribution’ made by Irish emigrants who have moved down under. Mr. Andrews recently spoke about the ‘huge historic connection between Ireland and Australia and spoke of the “significant contribution” made by Irish emigrants who have moved down under.An estimated 5,300 people emigrated from Ireland to Australia last year, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This represents a drop on the 17,400 figure recorded in 2012.