Minister Marc Miller’s Culture and Creative Industries Mission to Ireland
The Honourable Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, visited Ireland from 19–22 July leading a senior leadership mission from Canadian Heritage. He was accompanied by senior officials from Canadian Heritage, Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland, Dennis King, and Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, John Concannon.
The mission was one of the first major sectoral engagements following the visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to Ireland in June, and formed part of the implementation of the Canada–Ireland Partnership agreed by Prime Minister Carney and Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD.
Minister Miller’s visit to Ireland was undertaken specifically to advance the cultural commitments agreed by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and Prime Minister Mark Carney as part of the Ireland–Canada Strategic Partnership announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to Ireland in June.
Under the Partnership’s dedicated Culture pillar, both governments committed to:
Advancing Ireland–Canada 180 as a major cultural and commemorative initiative supported by both governments;
Strengthening Canada–Ireland cooperation across the cultural and creative sectors, building on longstanding partnerships and expanding collaboration between artists, cultural institutions and the creative industries; and
Recognising the growing role of Gaelic games in Canada as an important expression of the close historical and people-to-people ties between both countries.
Read the Joint Statement on advancing the Canada-Ireland Partnership Here
Minister Miller’s programme was designed to engage directly with Irish Government counterparts and leaders from across Irish life to help deliver these commitments. Through a series of meetings in Dublin, Galway, and Cork, the Ministers visit strengthened institutional partnerships, identified new opportunities for collaboration, and reinforced the shared ambition to build a lasting legacy through Ireland–Canada 180 in 2027.
The visit centered on delivering practical outcomes under the Canada–Ireland Partnership, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation, expanding collaboration between Ireland's and Canada's cultural institutions, strengthening screen industry partnerships, and developing new opportunities across culture, heritage, innovation and sport.
Ireland and Canada Strengthen Cultural Partnership Through Memorandum of Understanding
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The centrepiece of the visit was the bilateral meeting between Minister Marc Miller and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
Minister Miller met the Secretary General, senior officials and leaders of Ireland’s national cultural institutions to discuss long-term cultural cooperation between Ireland and Canada and preparations for Canada Ireland 180.
A key outcome was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation between Ireland and Canada, delivering one of the commitments contained in the Canada–Ireland Partnership agreed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD.
Expanding Ireland Canada Screen Industry collaboration
Roundtable discussion with Mary Nash, Principal Officer, Arts, Film & Investment, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
& Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Screen Ireland
Minister Marc Miller participated in a roundtable hosted by Screen Ireland CEO Désirée Finnegan with leaders from Ireland’s screen and audio-visual sector.
Discussions focused on expanding collaboration between Ireland and Canada across film, television and the wider creative industries. Canada is Ireland’s fourth-largest international co-production partner, providing a strong platform for future collaboration.
Roundtable Attendees:
- Alan Duggan, Chief Executive, Ardán / National Talent Academy for Film & TV
- Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General, TG4
- Miriam Allen, Chief Executive, Galway Film Fleadh
- Paul Cummins, CEO, Telegael
- Moe Honan, Chair of Animation Ireland / Founder, Moetion Films
- Paddy Hayes, Producer, Tua Films
- Siobhan Ní Ghadhra, Producer, Danú Media / Crew Academy West
- Dr. Tony Tracy, Head of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media
Meeting Political Leaders
Discussions centred on implementing the Canada–Ireland Partnership, with a particular focus on the culture pillar, preparations for ‘Canada Ireland 180’, international cooperation, cultural and sports diplomacy, education and research collaboration, trade, diaspora engagement, development cooperation and online child safety.
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These meetings highlighted the strategic importance both governments place on delivering on the commitments made by the Prime Minister and Taoiseach in the Canada-Ireland partnership agreed in June.
During the visit, Minister Miller met:
- Micheál Martin TD, Taoiseach
- Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora
- Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister for Education and Youth
- Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine
Galway
Building Cultural Partnerships
Galway City Council
Minister Miller met the Mayor of Galway, elected members and senior officials of Galway City Council.
Discussions focused on Galway’s cultural strategy, preparations for Canada Ireland 180 and opportunities for Galway to deepen partnerships across Canada, including potential cultural exchanges during 2027.
Galway International Arts Festival
Minister Miller visited the Galway International Arts Festival, where he met Managing Director John Crumlish and Artistic Director Paul Fahy.
Discussions explored collaboration across a number of ‘Canada Ireland 180’ initiatives while highlighting the Festival’s position as one of Europe’s leading multidisciplinary arts festivals.
Druid Theatre Company
The Minister met Artistic Director Gary Hynes and Executive Director Maureen Kennelly.
Discussions included Druid’s forthcoming Canadian visit to the Canada Ireland Foundation Coreleck in November, and opportunities for further artistic collaboration during Canada Ireland 180.
St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Minister Miller visited the church to see firsthand the conservation and restoration efforts funded by heritage investment, reflecting Ireland’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its historic buildings.
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PorterShed Innovation Hub
Minister Miller met entrepreneurs and companies developing business links with Canada.
Discussions highlighted growing opportunities for collaboration in innovation, technology, investment and enterprise between both countries.
Visit Portershed Here
Cork – Strengthening Cultural and Community Partnerships
Cork City Council
Minister Miller met the Deputy Lord Mayor and senior officials of Cork City Council.
Discussions included Cork’s recent engagement with Canada and plans for expanded collaboration during Canada Ireland 180, including future exchanges and visits in 2027.
Crawford Art Gallery
Minister Miller visited Crawford Art Gallery, where he was briefed by the Chair and Chief Executive on the gallery’s major redevelopment programme and its importance as one of Ireland’s flagship cultural infrastructure projects.
Triskel Arts Centre
The Minister also visited Triskel Arts Centre to discuss its work supporting artists, audiences and cultural collaboration.
Exploring Shared Family Heritage in Bandon
Minister Miller visited Bandon, County Cork, from where his great-great-grandparents emigrated to Canada during the early nineteenth century.
Hosted by Cork County Council and local community representatives, the visit reflected the enduring people-to-people connections between Ireland and Canada and the shared migration story that will be celebrated through Canada Ireland 180.
EPIC – Strengthening Diaspora and Museum Collaboration
Minister Miller visited The Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC), where he met CEO Ailish McMahon and team.
Discussions focused on genealogy, migration and the shared Irish-Canadian story, as well as collaboration between EPIC and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax as part of ‘Canada Ireland 180’.
The visit underscored EPIC’s standing as one of Europe’s leading visitor attractions and explored opportunities to deepen museum partnerships between Ireland and Canada.
Gaelic Games and the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final
Minister Miller, accompanied by Ambassador Dennis King, Ambassador John Concannon and senior officials, visited Croke Park and the GAA Museum.
Discussions with the GAA focused on expanding cooperation with Canada, supporting the international growth of Gaelic Games and developing collaborative initiatives for Canada Ireland 180, including working towards greater recognition of Gaelic Games in Canada.
Minister Miller also attended the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final, where he met Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Fisheries.
Discussions reflected on the successful visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney, implementation of the Canada–Ireland Partnership, and opportunities to advance the culture pillar of the partnership through Canada Ireland 180.
The visit also highlighted the historic links between hurling and the origins of hockey in Canada, with discussions exploring opportunities for collaboration between both countries.
Media Interview
During the visit, Minister Miller spoke with Newstalk about the growing Ireland–Canada relationship, the ambitions of ‘Canada Ireland 180’ and the opportunities for deeper cultural collaboration between both countries.
Looking Ahead
Minister Miller’s Culture and Creative Industries Mission demonstrated the momentum generated by the Canada–Ireland Partnership, building on the shared ambition of both governments to deepen cooperation across culture, heritage, education, sport, innovation and the creative industries, following the historic visit of PM Carney to Ireland in June.
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