Let’s make more of our close ties with Canada

IRELAND and Canada share many close ties. Hundreds of thousands of Irish people have emigrated to Canada in the past and even today Canada provides a safe harbour for our youth fleeing the fall of the Celtic Tiger.

The prominent display of the shamrock on the flag of Montreal is one symbol of this long-standing relationship.

Scores of GAA clubs play our games in Canadian cities. Indeed, Canada’s economy survived the recent global crisis virtually intact thanks to a well-regulated banking system – a lesson for Ireland to learn after our cowboy bankers have brought us to the brink of ruin.