2005 News

May 20, 2005
Bucks Forges Sister County Agreement With County Cork, Ireland
Commissioner Miller Meets With Lord Mayor Of Cork

Commissioner Sandra A. Miller recently traveled across the Atlantic to County Cork, Ireland where she met with Lord Mayor P.J. Sheehan to discuss a proposed sister-county agreement. Our commonality is based on a historical connection with Pennsylvania's founder and first governor, William Penn, who also founded and made a home for himself at Pennsbury Manor in Bucks County in the late 17th Century.

Included in the commissioner's proposal is a call for educational, agricultural and governmental exchanges, in addition to mutual tourism opportunities. County Cork, located in the southern region of Ireland along the Celtic Sea, was once home to William Penn whose father was gifted land by King Charles II as compensation for his loyalty. William Penn's father, Admiral Sir William, was gifted the estate of Macroom and later Shanagarry, was appointed Governor of the port of Kinsale, and made captain of its castle and garrison. As we know, his son later became the founding father of our own county.

Among the agencies Commissioner Miller hopes will participate in the friendship are the Bucks County Convention and Visitors' Bureau, the International Trade Council, the Bucks County Historical Society, the county's Department of Community and Business Development, the Planning Commission, and the Conservation District. This will be the first relationship of its type in Bucks County.

"On behalf of all Bucks Countians, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Lord Mayor and Mr. Tim Lucey, director of Corporate Affairs for County Cork, for their hospitality and spirit of heritage conservancy," Commissioner Miller noted. "I think we can all look forward to a mutually beneficial exchange in the future."