35yearsofCrozonconnection
CELEBRATIONS have been taking place in Sligo to mark 35 years of its twinning with Crozon in France. The connection has sparked friendships in both towns and a group of 60 people from Crozon came to the Northwest to commemorate the anniversary.
Michael Clancy, Treasurer of the Sligo committee, said the twinning is one of the longest running in the country.
He told the Sligo Champion: “At 35 years, it’s one of the longest and most successful in Ireland. Many have fallen by the wayside but ours has stood the test of time. Basically Crozon picked us, a man from there got chatting to Michael Carroll, a councillor here in Sligo at the time and that’s how it started. The Council then adopted it and the rest is history, the volunteering committee took over.” Included in that are Dympna Gorman, Imelda Harte, Marie Claude Ward from Brittany, Michael and his wife, Maeve.
They’ve won twinning awards and forged long- standing friendships between Sligo and this cute town on the Northwest coast of France. Michael added: “It’s been very successful, people who were kids at the beginning are now solicitors, doctors and carpenters and friends for life.
“There’s been so many exchanges across a broad spectrum, cultural, sporting, music, dancing, the Sligo Pipe Band has been over, so too the Orpheus Choir, Sligo AC, soccer teams, so many really, in both directions.
“The twinning has spurred so many friendships and there’s been private trips arranged too. The Crozon people take in the Sligo scenery, go fishing in Mullaghmore, do their own thing. There’s also a twinning with Kempten and that’s 25 years.
“We never thought setting out in 1981 that it would last as long as it has. Sligo has changed massively since then in terms of infrastructure whereas Crozon hasn’t really. It’s a lovely rural town on the coast, smaller than Sligo and it relies heavily on horticulture and agriculture.” The week long celebrations included a Civic Reception in County Hall, anniversary dinner in the Sligo Park hotel, trip around Lough Gill, visit to Sligo Gaol, concert with Sligo Orpheus Choir in Calry, and a walking tour with Michael Carty, from Sligo County Council.
“It’s been a proud week for us, 35 years is a long time, there’s been great friendships formed out of the twinning and sadly we’ve lost some members too.
“Culturally Sligo and Crozon are kind of linked with the whole Celtic heritage and the towns are quite similar. The group went back on Saturday morning after really enjoying themselves,” Michael added. A dedication at the twinning plaque in Doorly Park also took place, with the group looking forward to the next 35 years.