By Dan Walsh
A five-person delegation from Blacktown City Council, near Sydney, Australia, led by Mayor Brad Bunting, will arrive in Enniscorthy today (Sunday) and depart on Friday after daily historical and tourism tours across County Wexford.
Mayor Bunting will lead the delegation, which also includes Kevin Poilly, Manager of Events and Sister Cities; Donna Wallace, Manager of Greenspace Services; and Blacktown City Youth Ambassadors Caiden Bond and Laura Corvalan.
The visitors will be honoured at a Civic Reception in Enniscorthy Castle on Wednesday and will attend Tuesday morning’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre.
They will also be treated to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy and the battlefield at Vinegar Hill. And there is a tree planting ceremony planned for the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy.
Other centres of interest on the visitor’s itinerary includes The Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig, a Walking Tour of Wexford town with Paul Walsh, the GAA Centre of Excellence at Ferns, a Boat Trip from Kilmore Quay to the Saltees, Hook Lighthouse and Dunbrody Famine Ship, New Ross.
HISTORY; In August 2023, the then Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr John O’Rourke hosted a Civic Reception for a visiting delegation from Blacktown City, a suburb of Sydney Australia, held in Enniscorthy Castle, where the highlight featured the signing of a ‘Sister Cities Friendship Agreement.’
Cllr O’Rourke referred to “an immense proud moment on your behalf (Blacktown) and on behalf of the people of Enniscorthy Municipal District to sign this Sister Cities Friendship Agreement which will allow future generations to continue to fly the town flag with pride knowing that friendship is enteral.
Speaking warmly of his previous visit to Ireland and Enniscorthy in 2022, Cllr Brad Bunting complimented the hospitality that the people of Enniscorthy have extended him and his delegation and highlighted the value and importance both he, and the Blacktown City Council, place in building new relationships at a community level with Sister City areas.
Enniscorthy Municipal District Council made plans for visit by a delegation from Blacktown City, Australia, for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, however, it was cancelled.
Due to the six-day Iran War, most regional airspace was closed, and the delegation were advised against using Dubai International Airport for security reasons. The trip was called off and rescheduled for later in 2026.
However, the delegation arrives in Enniscorthy on Sunday evening and will be visiting various tourism attractions across Co. Wexford during the week.
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