VIDEO: Mayor says Bruce Springsteen 1000% behind twinning between Freehold and Kildare ancestral home

The legendary Bruce Springsteen is fully behind the twinning of his home town of Freehold, New Jersey and his ancestral home of Rathangan, Co. Kildare according to Mayor of Freehold, Kevin Kane.

The mayor was in town last Friday, June 27 for the officially signing of the twinning charter at the RYARC Community Centre, which was preceded by the unveiling of a plaque at the top of the town.

“Bruce Springsteen is 1000% behind this twinning that is going on between Rathangan and Freehold,” he told those assembled at the community centre. When the Boss drops by to visit the mayor, he always asks how things are going on the twinning front.

The mayor was joined by his wife Ellen, historican Kevin Coyne and his wife Jane, and Steve Lennox representing the New Jersey Ireland Center, Choose New Jersey.

Rathangan Freehold Twinning committee member, Mark Stafford highlighted how Mayor Kane and Bruce’s cousin, Glenn Cashion planted a copper beach tree in Rathangan last year to mark the fact that Springsteen’s great-great-grandmother, Ann Geraty (on his father’s side) emigrated to Freehold from Rathangan in 1853. It’s said that she brought a copper beach sapling with her, which grew outside Bruce’s childhood home.

Mayor Kane said they would be planting a copper beach tree from Kildare in Freehold to honour that connection, so the two trees can grow up tall together. The twinning documents have already been signed on the Freehold side. 

Mayor of the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District, Peggy O’Dwyer; Kildare County Council Director of Services, Marian Higgins; Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council and Chairperson of the Twinning Committee, Cllr Carmel Kelly and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin all spoke of the importance of friendship and building economic and tourism links with Freehold.

The mayor highlighted the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music is due to open next year. He said it will tell the story of Bruce Springsteen's journey, and Rathangan will have a piece in that story. 

“What started as a link coming from Bruce Springsteen has started friendships that we will have forever, and we are so grateful for that,” said Mayor Kane.

Earlier at the green at the top of the town, a special plaque was unveiled to commemorate the twinning and the links to Freehold. Rathangan Freehold Twinning Chairperson, Sheila Knightly thanked everyone for their support, especially the sponsors. Karl O'Hanlon and Eoin Duane provided some ambiance with some tunes from the Boss. After the signing, the group headed for some refreshments at Ma's Kitchen.