French visitors to grow Kilcullen twinning links

TWINNING with another town in another country has a long history, but sometimes many in the relevant communities don't always feel part of the initiatives. It takes time, and work does go on 'under the radar', as is happening in Kilcullen.

The small county Kildare town twinned with Saint Contest in Normandy in 2019, an event that did receive strong local attention because the inaugural visit from France happened during the St Patrick's weekend and the parade that was also part of the Kilcullen 700 celebrations. 

A return visit in 2023 by a Kilcullen group, delayed because of the pandemic, didn't register as much in Kilcullen, though it did with those who had travelled. 

Not least because the packed itinerary included visits to Omaha Beach, the American WW2 Cemetery, Bayeux and its famous tapestry, and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches. 

"It was both moving and an honour to visit these historical places," Tanya Flanagan of the Kilcullen Twinning Group said. 

"But what will remain with me was the genuine warmth and cordial nature of our hosts. Their committee has grown to include many new members and there were very big crowds at the events in Saint Contest and on the visits." 

She hopes that the next visit by a Saint Contest delegation, scheduled for 13-17 February, will receive
a similar broad welcome from the people of Kilcullen.

Much of what has happened since the Kildare County Council-supported twinning began is focused on future generations. 

"There were teachers from both Scoil Bhride NS and Cross and Passion College secondary on our trip in 2023 and they have continued to correspond with their counterparts there. 

"Students from CPC also visited a school in Caen recently as part of their Erasmus programme and enjoyed a reception in the Saint Contest Town Hall hosted by the Twinning Committee. 

"We hope that the partnerships between our schools here and in the Saint Contest area will be further cemented by bringing our visitors to our schools in February."

Last year the Kilcullen group were approached by the Saint Contest Twinning Committee to assist with an internship for a post-graduate student. "We were delighted to be able to assist and the IT graduate is now completing a nine-week placement with a major employer in the local area."

A delegation of 13 are coming from Saint Contest, staying with host families. The visitors will have a guided tour of Kilcullen's schools and local shops and businesses, as well as spending time at heritage and leisure attractions in the wider area. 

These will include the Old Kilcullen monastic site, the National Stud, and Kildare Cathedral as well as a visit to Newbridge Silverware's Museum of Style.

Music and Irish dancing will feature at various venues during the weekend and in the evenings the Saint Contest delegation will dine in local restaurants. Participation in a music session in Ballymore is expected to be a highlight.

On their final day the group will have a cookery demonstration at Kilcullen's Kalbarri Cookery School before returning to the Town Hall for a Community Event which will include an official meeting with Kildare County Council officials and local public representatives. 

Everyone is welcome to that event which will have music, a dancing display and refreshments.

"It is still early days really in terms of our partnership," Tanya Flanagan said. 

"But with strong community support on both sides, we look forward to growing the links forged to date."