Minister Richmond begins visit to Texas

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has today begun on a three-day visit to Texas to engage with the Irish community on the Government’s new Diaspora Strategy, as well as promoting economic and sporting links between Ireland and the state of Texas.

During the visit, the Minister will visit Texas Christian University (TCU), meet with the Irish business community in Dallas and visit a Kerry Group facility in Fort Worth, which employs over 240 people.

This visit also reflects the growing work under the Government’s sports diplomacy framework. The Minister will represent the government at the American football game against Colorado University, ahead of TCU participating in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in August 2026. This will be the first occasion a Texan university has participated in the series and reflects our growing economic, political and people-to-people ties with the state.

The Minister of State said:

“Texas is home to almost two million people of Irish descent, making it the fifth largest Irish diaspora across the United States. As the second largest state in the US, there are exciting economic opportunities for Ireland to explore here. There are already 122 Enterprise Ireland client company sites across Texas, employing over 4,000 people and contributing to the vibrant economy of the Lone Star State. I am looking forward to meeting with our Irish community and businesses here and hearing from them on how we can further boost Ireland-Texas connections.

“I am looking forward to visiting the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and to seeing Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs in action. As the first Texan team to visit Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic next August, I know that they receive a warm Irish welcome.”