Twinning association once again set to welcome French guests
Friends from the French town of Ploemeur are set to arrive in Fermoy from May 18 to 25, a tradition that has been ongoing for the Fermoy Ploemeur Twinning Association for 40 years.
Preparations for welcoming the guests began last summer, as soon as members of the twinning association returned from their visit to their French counterpart. During the visit to Ploemeur last year, the group's 40th anniversary was celebrated, however, members of both associations felt this important anniversary should be celebrated in both towns.
Ploemeur, which is an attractive seaside town in the Brittany region of France, sees many people of retirement age choosing to live there and for this reason, many of the visitors coming to Fermoy will be aged in their 60s.
It is expected that 19 guests will be arriving to Fermoy on Saturday, May 18, with two representatives of Ploemeur District Council, together with their partners, then joining the group on Wednesday 22nd.
A host of activities are planned during their stay, which will kick off with a reception at the Gaelscoil with the Fermoy International Choir and will see visitors spending the day with host families who will accommodate them and they will be given the opportunity to visit the town, with music in The Wagon later that night.
“We are anxious for our guests to spend time in the town itself. Opportunities to do this will be on Saturday afternoon (18th May) when they will hopefully see the town at its best on a busy shopping afternoon; Sunday morning (19th May), when they will have the possibility of attending Mass at St. Patrick’s Church; Thursday 23rd when they will visit Coláiste an Chraoibhín, where some of the students are already corresponding by email with students in Ploemeur; and on Friday morning for probably some last minute buying of locally produced souvenirs of their visit,” a spokesperson for the Fermoy Ploemeur Twinning Association said.
BUSY ITINERARY PLANNED
Preparations have ramped up recently as the date of the impending visit approaches. For Fermoy, this is their first time welcoming a cohort via the Twinning Association since before the Covid19 pandemic began. Despite this, members of the association stay in touch regularly online while apart.
“We keep in regular contact with the Ploemeur association through emails and texts and with Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day greetings. Before Christmas, we hold a dinner and musical evening and this is shared on Facebook with the Ploemeur group. The Ploemeur members produce a gazette in which they publish news from Fermoy.
“They haven’t been in Fermoy since 2019, so no doubt they will see some changes. Perhaps they will see that the town has become more multicultural. They will experience this when welcomed by a performance from the Fermoy International Choir. They may notice more cafes, some with outdoor seating, something French people are very familiar with. Let’s hope they get the weather to enjoy their coffee and croissants outside while watching the life of the town go by,” the spokesperson added.
Among events planned during the visit are a trip to Doneraile Court, a civic reception hosted by Fermoy Municipal District, a visit to Ballyduff Distillery, an anniversary dinner celebration at The Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown and a meeting of the two associations at the golf club, followed by breakfast.
In 2025, it is hoped that the group from Fermoy will again pay a return visit to their French counterparts.
“Key benefits have been friendships with those who speak a different language and whose daily lives differ in many ways from ours but with whom, nevertheless, we share many interests and experiences. The sharing of music, dance and traditions has been a central part of twinning from the beginning and continues to the present day", the spokesperson noted.
“We are really looking forward to seeing our Ploemeur friends, old and new and wishing them Ceád Míle Fáilte. Also, new Twinning Association members are always very welcome and are asked to make contact if they would like to join some of the twinning activities here in May”.