BOSTON (WWLP) – Ireland’s Minister of Education visited the Massachusetts State House on Thursday. 22News was there for his visit and explains the importance of meeting the Legislature on St. Patrick’s Day.

There are many ties between Ireland and Massachusetts, so it is fitting that Minister Foley visits the city of Boston on St. Patrick’s Day. Norma Foley was appointed Minister of Education in 2020. Just like here in the United States, Foley had to make tough decisions about in-person learning, but she coped with the challenges very well.

On Thursday, she made it her mission to help Ukrainian children fleeing violence enroll in the public school system in Ireland, and her advocacy doesn’t stop there.

“It is therefore right that we in Ireland help others who have to flee their homes when we are able to do so,” Foley said.

Minister Foley noted that many Irish businesses have established themselves in Massachusetts and that the commercial relationship between Ireland and the people of the Commonwealth is essential to maintaining the strength of our relationship. In fact, when flights were shut down during the pandemic, Foley said the option to fly from Dublin to Boston was never taken away.

Now, Foley also has a unique connection to Western Massachusetts. She comes from the town of Tralee Ireland, which is actually the sister town of Springfield.