Bliain úr faoi mhaise is faoi shíocháin daoibh uilig.

A happy and peaceful New Year to all.

I look forward to working with your all to boost Belfast and to partner our global family like never before in the year ahead. We saw 2014 out with a deal, once thought impossible, at Stormont — which augurs well for the New Year.

On my desk I have invites from five cities keen to hear more about the Belfast Homecoming 2015 — Boston, Toronto, Butte, San Francisco and San Antonio — and would love to make them all before Easter, pressures on the home front permitting. However, first up for me will be attending the Irish Echo Law & Order 50 in New York on 30 January to honour good Irish American cops doing a tough job.

But if I don’t make it to your neck of the woods, make sure you make it to mine on 23-26 September 2015 when I will host the Belfast Homecoming where 150 leaders from the Irish diaspora will join the conversation about building a better Belfast.

In the meantime, if you plan to get in shape for the New Year, make the inaugural Craic 10K on St Patrick’s Day in Belfast your target.

Until then, have a great 2015 and build, build, build.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh.