Kildare Town and France renew vows
Marie- Annick Coyac (chairperson of Corps-Nuds,) Mary Kavanagh (chairperson of Kildare Twinning Committee Signing Oaths) Photos: Jimmy Fullam
KILDARE Town Twinning/Corps Nuds Twinning celebrated the 30th anniversary of the signing of the first Twinning Oath.
The first oath was signed on 17 July.
On 13 August this year, a delegation of 21 French visitors from Corps Nuds came to Kildare, including their deputy Mayor Juliette Soulabaille, for the celebrations.
They had accommodation with host families around Kildare.
Kildare Town Twinning organised a packed schedule to enable them to show the wonderful facilities around Kildare Town.
On Thursday evening there was a meet and greet at Kildare House Hotel where the visitors were introduced to their host families.
Then after eating there was a traditional Irish night organised by Peter Gibbons in Top Nolans, The Square, Kildare.
On Friday there was a re-signing of the Twinning Oath to celebrate 30 years of friendship and twinning in Solas Bhride, Kildare Town.
The oath was signed by cllr Peggy O’Dwyer, Mayor of the Kildare/Newbridge Municipal District and Juliette Soulabaille, Deputy Mayor of Corps Nuds.
There was an exchange of gifts between both committees which is a gesture of the bond between the committees have forged over the years.
In Solas Bhride, Mary Kavanagh, chairperson of the Kildare Town Twinning led a tribute to Pat Sweeney who was the chairperson for many years but passed away way too soon two years ago.
This was followed by a visit to the National Stud where the group was lead on a guided tour of the horse experience.
On Friday evening, there was a BBQ hosted by The Kildare Community Garden, Campion Crescent and Paddy Curran.
On Saturday morning there was the option of a guided tour of the Kildare Town or a ramble around Kildare Village.
In the afternoon the visitors, host families and committee went to the Curragh Racecourse and had an exciting day thanks to Evan Arkright.
On Saturday evening there was a dinner at Cill Dara Golf Club which also included an exhibition of Irish dance by Lisa Moore’s dancers.
This was followed by our guests teaching some the Irish attendees how to dance some of their traditional dances from Brittany where Corps Nuds is situated.
On Sunday morning, the French visitors left to continue their tour of Irish culture and beauty spots.
The late Pat Sweeney was the driving force of the twinning for many years before his passing two years ago.
Mary Kavanagh is the current chairperson of the committee. All the work that went into making the visit very special was done by a very active committee.
It was a hard task because Pat was a perfectionist, and everything had to be spot on. The committee hope they did him proud.
