Texas offers opportunities for business, says minister

A “very positive and can-do atmosphere” was the overriding impression from his St Patrick’s Day trade mission to Texas, according to Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance.

The local TD was speaking after a packed three-day visit to the United States, where he attended the internationally renowned South by Southwest festival in Austin, alongside a range of Irish businesses, cultural representatives and state agencies.

Describing the event as “bigger than a conference”, the minister said the festival, which attracts up to 300,000 people, brings together leaders in technology, film, music, art and business.

Central to Ireland’s presence was ‘Ireland House’, which hosted more than 20 Irish companies, facilitated networking opportunities, and showcased Irish film premières. The initiative was supported by Enterprise Ireland, which also backed 21 client companies in the sports technology sector attending the event.

“The purpose of Ireland House is to introduce Irish companies to Texan companies and to build stronger relationships,” Deputy Troy said. “There is a real openness there to doing business together.”

During the visit, the minister met a range of political and business leaders, including the mayor of Austin, senior executives from Dell Technologies, and the Texas secretary of state. He also addressed a reception for the Irish community.

“There’s a positive, can-do atmosphere,” he said. “People are open to engagement and to strengthening connections with Ireland.”

Deputy Troy highlighted the scale of the Irish diaspora in Texas, noting that approximately two million people in the state claim Irish descent. He said that provides a strong foundation for expanding economic and cultural links.

Irish business networks are already well established, and have more than 400 members in Austin and 100-plus in Dallas.

Among those he met were Irish professionals working at senior levels in multinational companies, including a Limerick native serving as a chief financial officer and a Delvin woman in a senior marketing role.

The visit also highlighted growing cultural and sporting ties between Ireland and the United States. Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke participated in a panel discussion at the festival, while plans are under way for a major American college football fixture in Dublin later this year. The game will feature Texas Christian University, and an estimated 40,000 supporters expected to travel to Ireland for the event.

Deputy Troy also met Westmeath locals Stephen Devine and Aoife McDonagh of the Celtic Cowboys GAA Club in Austin.

Deputy Troy said such initiatives further underline the deepening relationship between the two regions.

“Historically, Irish connections in the US were strongest in places like New York, Boston and Chicago,” he said. “But Texas offers huge opportunities now, and more Irish people are going there because of that.”

The minister also undertook a series of early morning briefings, business meetings and networking events during the trip, with days typically running from 7am to as late as 10pm.

“It was three very full days,” he said, “and hugely worthwhile in terms of building relationships and creating opportunities for Ireland.”

He added that the visit reinforced the potential for continued growth in trade, investment and cultural exchange between Ireland and Texas in the years ahead.

The constituency of Longford-Westmeath was well represented in Texas recently during a visit of Minister Robert Troy to the Lone Star State. Travelling as part of Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme, Minister Troy made visits to Dallas and Austin where a number of constituents have put down roots.

Meeting locals

Among the members of the Dallas Irish community Minister Troy met were Peter Farrell from Longford, and Kevin Downs from Ballinea who now call Texas home. Peter and Kevin were in attendance at a breakfast event hosted by the Irish Business Network Dallas, and addressed by Minister Troy.

In Austin, Minister Troy was introduced to the Celtic Cowboys GAA Club by Westmeath’s Aoife McDonagh and Stephen Devine in what was the club’s first training session of the new season.

Also in Austin, Minister Troy met with another Westmeath native, Sarah Perry, at the South by Southwest festival. Sarah is a senior employee with Dell Technologies, whom Minister Troy also met while in Texas, and are a significant employer in Ireland with over 4,500 jobs around the country.

Minister Troy said: “It is always important for me to connect with people from Longford Westmeath when I am representing Ireland abroad. There is an incredible network of the Irish diaspora across Texas, including many from Longford Westmeath, and it was a pleasure to meet with them and hear their stories of hard work and opportunity.

"Across business, culture, and sport it was great to see people like Peter, Kevin, Aoife, Sarah, and Stephen flying the flag for Longford, Westmeath, and Ireland. Our people who opt to move abroad do an incredible job of promoting Ireland right across the globe, making connections and networks like the Celtic Cowboys GAA Club and the Irish Business Network Dallas.”