Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Frank Moran along with Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tony McCormack officially welcomed His Excellency Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Adriaan Palm to Tullamore on Europe Day (today).
Ann Dillon, Director of Services, Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise and Olive Farrelly, Tourism Officer briefed Ambassador Palm on Offaly’s Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2027), enterprise innovation in Offaly as well as the forthcoming revised Tourism Strategy for Offaly.
Ms Dillon spoke about Offaly’s legacy of electricity generation and how Offaly is now the ‘renewable energy capital of Ireland’ referring to the 1GW of renewable energy generated by the county. She outlined the history of indigenous innovation in Offaly including brands such as Glenisk, Grant Engineering, and Lumcloon Energy which are all known internationally. Ms Dillon spoke of Offaly’s qualities as an attractive place to work, live and do business.
Head of Enterprise, Orla Martin outlined how the recently approved Offaly Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan proactively focusses on 6 key areas including construction and engineering, energy generation and storage, med/tech and wellbeing, ICT, food and nutrition and tourism. Ms Martin also spoke of the existing connection with the Netherlands with the ILofar project in Birr and looked forward to future engagement on a variety of projects, including opportunities to partner on EU funded projects.
Ambassador Palm also received a tourism update in Offaly from Olive Farrelly. Ms Farrelly outlined the many synergies that exist between Offaly and the Netherlands as well as discussing the Fáilte Ireland campaign where Offaly features under ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ brand.
The Ambassador thanked Offaly County Council for hosting his visit and, based on the discussion, he identified opportunities for shared learning on topics such as active travel, farming on peat soils and battery storage for renewable energy. Concluding the meeting, Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Moran paid tribute to Ambassador Palm for sharing his time, knowledge and enthusiasm and looked forward to strengthening connections with the Netherlands in the future.
Welcoming His Excellency Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Adriaan Palm (centre) to Tullamore on Europe Day were (l to r) Ann Dillon, Director of Services, Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Moran, Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise, LEO, Olive Farrell Tourism Officer and Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Tony McCormack. Cathaoirleach Moran presented HE Ambassador Palm with Offaly themed gifts including 100 quirky facts about Offaly and ‘Offaly Rover’ candle made by A Little Scentimental.
