Resolution 05-23
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Megan O’Callaghan, City Manager
Date: January 3, 2023
Initiated By: Matt Earman, Director of Parks & Recreation
Alison LeRoy, Community Events Director
Re: Resolution 05-23 – Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation between the City of
Dublin, Ireland and the City of Dublin, Ohio, USA
Background
The City of Dublin has a tradition of celebrating its Irish roots. From the moment that John
Shields suggested to John Sells that the settlement he had surveyed should be named after
Shields' birthplace of Dublin, Ireland, the two cities have been forever linked.
Since those early beginnings, the two Dublins celebrated special birthdays in Ireland in 1988
— one year as a city for Dublin, Ohio and 1,000 years for Dublin, Ireland. The efforts of the
1/1000 Committee, later known as the Dublin Irish Celebration, would eventually culminate in
the Dublin Irish Festival — the world's largest three-day Irish festival.
In 2013, former Mayor Tim Lecklider attended a Gathering of the Dublins in Dublin, Ireland. Upon
his return, he suggested that the City of Dublin, Ohio explore a Sister City relationship with Dublin,
Ireland. In 2015, Dublin, Ohio forged its first Friendship City agreement with Mashiko, Japan and
began discussions about other cities and countries, with which Dublin, Ohio should establish
formal relationships. In 2016 and 2017, the City of Dublin, hosted several diplomats from Ireland
at various events including the City’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Dublin Irish Festival, and the
Memorial Tournament. These diplomatic engagements resulted in great relationships between our
two governments, culminating with the offer of a Friendship City agreement from Dublin, Ireland.
In 2017, Dublin, Ohio officially signed a Friendship City Agreement with Dublin, Ireland at the 30th
Anniversary of the Dublin Irish Festival for a four-year term. Areas of cooperation outlined were
Economy, Culture, Sports, Education, Youth and Smart City to promote common prosperity and
development. The agreement was signed during a visit by Lord Mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha to
Dublin, Ohio. The Dublin, Ireland delegation visited the Dublin Irish Festival, the Washington
Township Fire Department, and the Bridge Street District. Discussions were held on The Global
Island, Cardinal Health’s ‘Fuse’ Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Idea Foundry, Smart
Cities, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library Dublin Branch.
In September 2019, Mayor Greg Peterson and Vice Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes traveled to
Dublin, Ireland. They visited The Liberties, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Guinness Storehouse and
Gravity Bar, and EPIC. Meetings were held with the Economic and Enterprise Development
Department, Smart Dublin & Smart Docklands, Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe, and Chief Executive
Owen Keegan. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, travel between the two cities was not possible for
the final two years of the initial agreement.
The previous Friendship City Agreement expired in August 2021. In August of 2022, Dublin, Ohio
staff approached the City of Dublin, Ireland to renew the Friendship City Agreement. This request
was formally approved by the Dublin, Ireland City Council on December 5, 2022.
Office of the City Manager
5555 Perimeter Drive • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614.410.4400 • Fax: 614.410.4490 Memo
Memo re. Resolution No. 05-23 - Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation between the City of Dublin, Ireland
and the City of Dublin, Ohio, USA
January 3, 2023
Page 2 of 2
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the resolution to sign a Friendship Agreement with Dublin,
Ireland for an additional four years. Once approved, a contingent from Dublin, Ohio will travel
to Dublin, Ireland for a formal signing.