Saba, October 2026 - As part of the Communicating Europe Initiative, Commissioner Eviton Heyliger undertook an official working visit to Ireland, accompanied by Policy Advisors Sapphire Ramiskoon and Shaigan Marten. The visit provided an opportunity for cultural exchange, knowledge-sharing and the exploration of common challenges and opportunities faced by small island communities.
The exchange was organised by Oileán, with support from the Government of Ireland through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Communicating Europe Initiative, and marked the first diplomatic visit by a representative of Saba to Ireland.
As part of the initiative, which takes place in the context of Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was paired with Ireland, with Saba selected to participate in the exchange.
The visit also highlighted the historical connections between Saba and Ireland, dating back to the arrival of Irish settlers in the Caribbean. Irish migration and ancestry form part of Saba's diverse cultural heritage, providing an additional connection between the two island communities and an opportunity to explore their shared history.
The program began in Dublin with a visit to Leinster House, where Commissioner Heyliger met with Irish parliamentarian and Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman. During the meeting, they exchanged perspectives on the current contexts of Ireland and Saba.
Commissioner Heyliger and Her Excellency Maaike van Koldam, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ireland, also met to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration between Saba and Ireland, including possibilities for engagement through future European Union initiatives.
The delegation subsequently travelled to County Mayo, where meetings were held with Councillors Flynn, Maxwell and O'Malley of the Westport Municipal District. These discussions provided opportunities to exchange perspectives on local governance, the functioning of smaller municipal councils, community development and the priorities of local communities.
As part of the program, Commissioner Heyliger and the delegation visited Achill Island, Clare Island and Inishturk, three islands off the coast of County Mayo.
On Achill Island, the delegation was welcomed by Councillor McNamara and Chris McCarthy of Achill Tourism, who provided an introduction to the island and its community. The delegation also met with Terence Dever and representatives of Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla, a local community development organisation.
The visits continued to Clare Island, where the delegation engaged with residents and learned about their experiences of island life, followed by Inishturk, where Sinéad Cahalan of Inishturk Community Club CLG facilitated further discussions and exchanges.
These field visits offered valuable insights into the realities of island life and the challenges these communities share with Saba, particularly in areas such as access to healthcare, transportation and connectivity, encouraging young people to return to their home communities, sustaining local populations and preserving cultural traditions and heritage.
The exchanges also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the voices of small island communities are represented in decision-making processes and that development initiatives respond to their specific circumstances and needs.
Reflecting on the visit, Commissioner Heyliger highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and learning from the experiences of other island communities. By exploring both the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities, Saba can gain valuable perspectives that may help inform local priorities and future initiatives.
The visit also provided an opportunity to explore potential tertiary education pathways in Ireland. With English as the primary language of instruction, Ireland could offer additional opportunities for Saban students seeking to pursue higher education abroad. Further exploration of educational institutions and possible partnerships could help broaden the options available to students from Saba.
The working visit demonstrated the value of international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experiences between island communities. It also laid the groundwork for continued dialogue and potential collaboration between Saba and its Irish counterparts, particularly in the areas of community development, cultural heritage, education and opportunities through European initiatives.
Through these connections, Saba and the island communities of County Mayo can continue to identify shared priorities, learn from one another and explore opportunities to strengthen their relationship in the years ahead.
