The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), and the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP), welcomed the new Consul General of Ireland for southern Spain, Marylee Wall, on Tuesday 27th. Based in Málaga, the diplomat has represented her country across the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Murcia, Extremadura and the Canary Islands for the past month.
Wall is Ireland’s only career consul in Spain, serving as a diplomat in the service of her state to assist members of the Irish community visiting or residing in the country. Her role ranges from helping with stolen passports, medical issues and tax matters to supporting culture, sport and entrepreneurship. “Choosing southern Spain to support our citizens was no coincidence, but rather because so many Irish people visit and live in this part of the country, which is why strengthening bilateral relations between Ireland and Spain is so important to us”, she stated.
The mayoress of Mijas shared this view, highlighting that “in this meeting with the consul, we have joined forces to stay close to those people, in this case, Irish nationals, who need institutional support, both from the Town Hall, where our doors are open, and from the consulate, which is equally committed”.
During the official reception, it was revealed that the number of registered Irish residents in Mijas currently stands at 707. Several locals shared their thoughts with the new consul, including Ely McCarthy, who arrived in the municipality in 2010 and opened one of Mijas Pueblo’s best-known businesses two years later, the Mayan Monkey chocolate factory. “I live in Valtocado and, whenever I can, I try to cycle to work because I thoroughly enjoy the surroundings, and I feel deeply grateful to live and work in such a beautiful place”, she noted.
Tuesday’s visit concluded at the Mural of Nations, located in the square outside the Mijas Pueblo Tourist Office, which symbolises the municipality's multicultural identity. “Today, we wanted the consul to see first-hand that Mijas welcomes many Irish people interested in playing golf or retiring here, as well as contributing their knowledge through their work and culture, and that is true integration”, emphasised the councillor for Foreigners.
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