A high-level delegation including representatives of Galway Chamber, University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University, Celtic Irish American Academy, and Galway County Council participated in a Galway City Council-led exchange with our sister cities of Chicago and Milwaukee in August 2024.
The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane, led the delegation in engagements including meetings with Mayor of the City of Chicago, Brandon Johnson and Mayor of the City of Milwaukee, Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Galway City’s twinning status with Chicago and Milwaukee offers potential to meet with business, educators, social innovators, local government and other stakeholders and institutions to learn, exchange, and develop and deepen connections.
Galway City has been twinned with Chicago, Illinois since 1997, and with Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 2001.
The agenda for the 2024 delegation focused on themes of enterprise/ med tech, workforce development, community, education, and culture.
Delegates engaged with representatives of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, World Business Chicago, Enterprise Ireland, 167 Green Street/ Fulton Market developers, Chicago Sister Cities International, MATTER Chicago, After School Matters, and the Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC) – all facilitated by Chicago Sister Cities International
Speaking about the exchange, Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council said, “This exchange builds on decades of positive political, cultural, educational and economic exchange by past delegations.”
“This year’s delegation has had a wealth of opportunities to engage with key contacts in the areas of med-tech, business, and education in particular.”
“Looking to the work of Chicago Sister Cities International, there are potentially very significant opportunities for Galway City with our twinned cities around the world.”
At his meetings with Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt and Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de León, Mayor Keane discussed common challenges and opportunities in our respective cities, and approaches to policy to address these challenges.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson, West Allis Mayor Dan Devine, Honorary MC Michael J Murphy and the members of the Milwaukee Common Council in cooperation with the Milwaukee Irish Fest welcomed Mayor Keane and the Galway City twinning delegation to a reception in City Hall on Friday 16 August. Padraig Mannion, Vice-Consult General of Ireland to Chicago also attended the reception.
Galway City Council followed the twinning exchange with participation in the Milwaukee Irish Fest – the world’s largest Irish culture festival, and a centrepiece event for Irish music, history, dance, sports, and culture in the United States.
Average attendance is 100,000 people, with 4,000 volunteers supporting the event. It is estimated that 12-14% of businesses in Galway City are involved in tourism.
