Sunny welcome for the French Twinning Committee at Nenagh Civic Reception

A reception was held in the Nenagh Civic Offices for the members of the twinning committee from Basse-Goulaine, France last Friday.

Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District, Councillor John ‘Rocky’ McGrath, welcomed the Committee. He spoke about the friendships made and relationships developed between Basse-Goulaine and Ballina-Killaloe.

The Tipperarylive had the opportunity to meet Committee President Geneviève Vacher and Committee member Caroline Brémond.

They said they had received a warm welcome and were very much looking forward to the programme of activities planned for them.

Speaking for the group, Ms Brémond said:

“We are very happy to be here to meet our Irish friends for the third time.”

She said they were looking forward to seeing the culture and arts in Ireland, in particular, Irish music, which they are very fond of. And most of all developing the relationships the committee was set up to establish.

Unfortunately, the Irish weather also made an appearance for the occasion. But when asked if it would dampen their fun, Ms Brémond said it definitely wouldn’t.

“The Irish people are sunny enough,” said Ms Brémond.

TWINNING COMMITTEE

Ballina-Killaloe is in a twinning partnership with the town of Basse-Goulaine, a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.

This means that both groups work together to form cultural alliances and explore opportunities for collaboration in sports, arts and education.

The committee was established in 2015, and both groups have visited each other three times.

According to Tipperary County Council, there have been some very successful projects.

In 2019 Lough Derg FC took part in the Europfoot International Soccer Competition for U15s in Vertou.

A student from Basse-Goulaine attended St Anne’s Killaloe Community College in 2018, and three students from Killaloe went to Basse-Goulaine in 2019.

Also, in 2019, 55 students from Basse-Goulaine included a visit to Ballina-Killaloe in their school tour and were welcomed at St Anne’s.

2023 VISIT

The French committee group arrived in Ireland on Thursday and left on Monday.

During their visit, they were given a tour of the Nenagh Tourist Office, visited John Hanly & Co in Ballyartella and walked the Polloughs Trail in Birdhill.

In Ballina/Killaloe, they met artists Kerry Acheson, Melissa Ryan and Lynn Kenny at The Bridge Creative Arts Centre and enjoyed a music session in The Washerwoman in Ballina.

On Saturday, they headed to Limerick at the invitation of Loïc Guyon, Consul Honaire de France, for the Limerick Bastille Day Wild Geese Festival.

They visited the Milk Market, took part in the International Rugby Experience and toured the Hunt Museum.

BALLINA-KILLALOE

Last year, the Ballina-Killaloe side of the pairing visited Basse-Goulaine.

Committee member Patricia Anne Moore told the Tipperarylive about their visit.

She said their French friends provided ‘non-stop hospitality’ even offering to put them up in their own homes.

On their visit, they received a Mayoral Reception, visited a photo exhibit, were treated to a cruise on the Noire River and more.

She said they received very personal gifts which were “so thoughtfully given.” “It really established a firm friendship,” said Ms Moore.