LIMERICK has signed a sister cities agreement with Austin, Texas, one of the most culturally and industrially thriving cities in the US.
The agreement, outlining mutual commitments to collaborate in areas such as business development, science and technology, the creative economy, education, tourism, and urban development, was formalised at a ceremony attended this past week by Mayor of Limerick, John Moran and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.
The new sisterly agreement also establishes a framework for maintaining direct communication between the two 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 in the Texan city with a population of almost one million people.
Speaking from Austin, Mayor Moran commented that he and Limerick City and County Council are “delighted to formalise our partnership with Austin, a city just like ours, renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and creative energy”, adding that 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.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson echoed Mayor Morn’s sentiments, stating that “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. The Treaty’s other sister city’s in Hohenlohekreis in Germany; Santa Clara, California; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Quimper, France; and Spokane, Washington.
The Council says that these partnerships aim to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between Limerick and its sister cities around the world.
