Limerick signs Sister Cities Agreement with Austin, Texas

LIMERICK City and County Council has announced the signing of a Sister Cities Agreement with Austin, Texas. This significant agreement was formalised during a ceremony attended by Mayor of Limerick, John Moran and Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson.

The agreement outlines mutual commitments to collaborate in areas such as business development, science and technology, the creative economy, education, tourism, and urban development. It also establishes a framework for maintaining direct communication between the cities through annual meetings and exchanges of ideas and best practices.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the Limerick Sister City sign outside Austin City Hall.

Speaking from Austin, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran commented: “We are delighted to formalise our partnership with Austin, a city just like ours, renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and creative energy. Limerick is Austin’s closest EU city neighbour. We are proud to already be home to a number of Austin businesses, just as Austin has become a valued home for many originally from Limerick. We see this agreement as a chance to deepen connections, share knowledge, and foster mutual growth. Building a bridge of collaboration is how we will inspire progress and enrich both our cities.”

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Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson echoed these sentiments, stating: “This Sister Cities Agreement with Limerick represents a new chapter in Austin’s global outreach. Together, we will create opportunities for cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and shared innovation that will benefit both our communities and foster a lasting friendship across the Atlantic.”

Limerick City and County Council has established several twinning or sister city relationships to foster cultural, educational, and economic exchanges.

Limerick's sister cities include: Hohenlohekreis, Germany: Partnership since 1990. Santa Clara, California, USA: Sister city agreement signed in July 2014. New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA: Twinning agreement established in April 1999. Birmingham, England: Exchanges since the early 1990s. London, England: Frequent visits facilitated by the Limerick Exiles Association. Quimper, France: Limerick's first twin city. Spokane, Washington, USA: Various cultural and educational exchanges and Austin, Texas, USA: Limerick newest sister city.

These partnerships aim to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between Limerick and its sister cities around the world.