Minister of State Peter Burke pictured in Atlanta, Georgia, with Brian Lynam, from Coosan, Athlone, who works there for Boston Scientific.

Westmeath Minister meets locals from Coosan and Ballymahon during US visit

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 22 Mar 2024, 2:23 PM

Westmeath Minister of State Peter Burke was among the Government representatives who recently travelled abroad for St Patrick's Day.

During his four-day visit to the US State of Georgia, the Mullingar man attended St Patrick's Day events in the cities of Atlanta and Savannah.

He also encountered a few local faces during the trip, meeting with Brian Lynam, from Coosan in Athlone, who works for Boston Scientific in Atlanta.

The pair met at an Irish reception event in Atlanta which was attended by more than 300 people.

In addition, Minister Burke met the Irish-born president of Coca Cola, John Murphy, and was accompanied at this meeting by Ballymahon native Enda Trautt, who is based in Atlanta and works for IDA Ireland.

Ballymahon native Enda Trautt, who is based in Atlanta with the IDA, pictured with Minister Peter Burke.

Minister Burke's office said he addressed the Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives, "raising the war in Gaza and the need for the international community to step up efforts to stop the violence and senseless war".

In Savannah, he led the St Patrick's Day parade, which is among the largest in the world and saw 800,000 people descend on the Georgia city.

Minister Peter Burke with Kerry native David Shanahan, who is on an American Football scholarship with Georgia Tech.

The trip also included a visit to the Georgia Tech university, an address to an international relations graduate lecture, and a number of business engagements.