From Graiguecullen to Luxembourg - a visit ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency, as Carlow is paired with the Grand Duchy. I never thought I’d be able to get Killeshin into an article - my home village in Ireland, where my father grew up, and where he is now buried.
However, it turns out that Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor knew my dad, goes to Killeshin at least once a month and is also a first cousin of Ollie Hennessy - a brilliant musician (who also worked with my dad) whom I’ve had the pleasure of singing with. And I thought Luxembourg was small! Jennifer Murnane O’Connor is a Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow - Kilkenny and Minister of State at Ireland’s Department of Health. Ireland will hold the EU Presidency from July to December 2026, during which time the 26 counties of Ireland will be paired with the other 26 countries of the European Union. Luxembourg will be paired with Carlow. This is not an accident. There is a deep historical connection between Luxembourg and Carlow. Carlow, Echternach and a centuries‑old bridge County Carlow and Echternach are rooted in centuries of history through St Willibrord. These historical, symbolic connections make it somehow easier to open up cultural conversations, generate tourism, deepen civic relationships and even spark new business and educational partnerships. Murnane O’Connor visited Echternach, the basilica and learned more about Saint Willibrord, whose pilgrimage binds Echternach to Carlow and nearby Leighlinbridge where a relic is held in the cathedral. County Pairing: Carlow meets Luxembourg Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency will include a new “County Pairing” initiative that links each of the 26 Irish counties with one of the 26 other EU member states. Under the programme, ambassadors and ministers will visit their counties for public events about Europe, with a strong emphasis on bringing Brussels beyond capitals and big cities. For TD Murnane O’Connor, success in December 2026 would mean visible, practical links: school and university exchanges, twin‑town projects between local councils, joint cultural festivals and sport. “Community groups, schools, sports clubs, businesses – they all need to be involved so that we build something that lasts.” A growing Irish community, and 'soft ambassadors' abroad Luxembourg is home to more than 2,500 Irish citizens, a number that surprised even the Minister. She met many of them at a reception hosted by Irish Ambassador Jean McDonald, whom she calls “an absolute lady, an excellent ambassador” along with GAA members, Darkness Into Light organisers and the Irish Young Professional Network. For Murnane O’Connor, Irish people abroad are 'soft ambassadors' whose pride in their identity quietly shapes how Ireland is seen in Europe. Her young Carlow intern, Amy, summed up the generational angle: when Irish students think of going abroad, they still imagine the USA, the UK or Australia, “but to think that there’s so many people here working in EU institutions and in financial work in Luxembourg is fantastic.” And many of us never leave. “Most of the people I spoke to came for two or three years,” the Minister noted, “but if you go over three years, you never go home.” A like‑minded partnership in a turbulent world The timing of her visit underlined just how closely aligned Luxembourg and Ireland see themselves in Europe. On the same week, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Finance Minister Gilles Roth were in Dublin meeting the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, as both countries prepared for debates on competitiveness, the single market and financial services. Ireland and Luxembourg are frequently described as “like‑minded” on European competitiveness and financial services, and both host significant financial sectors. Yet they are also pushing back together against Franco‑German efforts to centralise EU financial supervision by expanding the powers of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) at the expense of national regulators. Luxembourg fears that turning ESMA into a centralised supervisor would “add complexity, bureaucracy and costs” without genuinely strengthening the single market, Finance Minister Gilles Roth argued in Brussels. Ireland’s Finance Minister Simon Harris echoed that view, insisting that “centralising supervision is not necessary” even as he expressed determination to conclude negotiations by year‑end, with Ireland due to hold the rotating EU Presidency in the second half of the year. For Murnane O’Connor, this kind of alignment shows how small states can punch above their weight in EU debates when they work together. Ireland’s EU Presidency: unity, security and everyday impact “Being in Europe is very important for us. It’s about unity: working together to protect jobs, support agriculture, advance education and keep people secure.” Jennifer wants ordinary citizens to feel this Presidency on the ground: in town‑hall debates, farm meetings, cultural events and youth projects funded under the Communicating Europe Initiative. For Ireland, it is also an opportunity to showcase a country that has evolved from its agricultural roots into a global tech and finance hub without losing sight of the land and the farmers who work it. The average farmer in Europe is 54 years old, and younger people are increasingly reluctant to take over family farms. Climate change, volatile fuel and heating costs and the seven‑days‑a‑week nature of the job make it a tough sell. “Farmers are the lifeline of who we are. We need to support them, protect them, and make sure we mind the land.” Public health, wellbeing and a new drugs strategy Beyond Europe, the Minister’s 'day job' is to work on public health, wellbeing and Ireland’s national drugs strategy. In Luxembourg she visited ABRIGADO, a frontline facility that works with some of the most vulnerable people in society, and was struck by its almost 20 years of experience, multi‑disciplinary approach and the kindness of the staff. Back home, she has just launched a public consultation on Ireland’s new national drugs strategy – the first major rethink in a decade, reflecting how drug use has spread beyond cities into rural communities and small towns. She is especially focused on awareness, prevention, family support and tackling stigma. The Minister is also moving fast on one of the most contentious youth‑health issues of the moment: vaping. She has brought legislation to the Dáil to ban disposable vapes and restrict the proliferation of sweet flavours and eye‑catching packaging that clearly target younger people, along with new rules on nicotine pouches and display bans similar to those already applied to cigarettes. “Vaping has become a huge challenge in Ireland. These are the changes you can make as a politician – and they matter to parents and to young people.” Her broader health and wellbeing brief includes everything from walking trails to men’s sheds and emerging women’s sheds, community spaces supported by small government grants where people, often retired or widowed, can meet, learn, volunteer and avoid isolation. There are more than 380 women’s sheds in Ireland already, in addition to a larger network of men’s sheds. “You don’t want anyone feeling alone,” Murnane O’Connor said. “Being involved in your community is one of the best things you can do for your health.” A personal political journey Murnane O’Connor’s political story is interwoven with that of her late father, who served for over 20 years on Carlow’s town and county councils. When he fell ill, he asked her to stand so that “between us” they could continue serving; she became a councillor two and a half years before he died, and has been in politics ever since. “Politics is like a calling. You have to love it. It’s seven days a week, and every election is a new battle, but the rewards are exceptional when you can change someone’s life with something simple.” Happy St. Patrick’s Day “I want to wish everyone a happy St Patrick’s Day. I’m so proud - we’re all so proud - to be Irish. It’s a great day, and we’re delighted to share it with Luxembourg.”
