SH2AMROCK’s project manager, Luis Miguel Blanes Restoy, and our Communication and Dissemination lead, Júlia Machado, were invited to join the Galway welcoming committee receiving the Estonian delegation, alongside the Galway mayor Helen Ogbu, Sean Canney, TD, Leonard Cleary, and Galway representatives from business, community organisations, youth groups, cultural institutions and the public sector.
Organised by the Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council, the Galway–Estonia Exchange Event welcomed James Sherry (the Irish Ambassador to Estonia), Kairi Künka (the Estonian Ambassador to Ireland), and Capt. Brian Sheridan (our Port of Galway #SH2AMROCK partner), as part of a broader programme of activities under the County Pairings Programme, which is celebrating the Galway-Estonia Exchange during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.
The day included collaborative discussions on innovation, culture, and community development, reflecting on the shared commitment to strengthening links between the two communities and the benefits of European cooperation at a local level. It also featured wonderful cultural performances by Irish musicians with strong connections to both Ireland and Estonia, lovely Estonian sweets, and a documentary screening.
As active members of the Galway community and the international hydrogen community, we have been working with partners in Estonia to strengthen the links between our #HydrogenValleys. This unique Pairing initiative provides an opportunity to deepen connections, exchange knowledge, and foster cooperation, supporting shared innovation and creating new pathways for collaboration. We would like to thank the organisers sincerely, Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council, for this wonderful day, and thank everyone we had the pleasure of meeting during this day for their time and active engagement with SH2AMROCK. We are delighted to meet the Ambassadors in person after the generous engagement from the team in the Estonian Embassy in Dublin.
Details of the first milestone from this collaboration – a #SH2AMROCK Galway–Estonia Hydrogen Event- will be announced soon here and on our LinkedIn page. Save the date: September 25th