PHOTOS: Lively events mark 30th anniversary of twinning agreement between Kildare town and Corps Nuds
Ciarán Mather reports on the celebration of cultures between two towns in Ireland and France
The 30th anniversary of a twinning agreement between Kildare town and Corps Nuds in France was celebrated last week.
A signing event took place on the afternoon of Friday, August 16 last at the Solas Bhride Centre to mark the historic anniversary.
The Acting Mayor of Corps Nuds, Juliet Soulabaille, the Chairperson of the Corps Nuds Twinning Committee, Marie Annick-Coyac, Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, Peggy O’Dwyer, and Chairperson of the Kildare town Twinning Committee, Mary Kavanagh, all took part in the event.
According to Ms Kavanagh, in reality, there was 'a whole weekend of action' to mark the anniversary.
She told the Leinster Leader: "A meet-and-greet ceremony took place on Thursday last at the Kildare House Hotel between the Kildare town committee and the French guests.
Ollie Kearns, Mariannick Rigeadou, Sally Purcell, Annick Gouin, Gege Rigeadou and Domonic Gouin.
Ms Kavanagh continued: "On Friday, after the signing ceremony, the attendees were brought on a guided tour at the National Stud, and later in the evening, a barbeque took place at the Community Gardens.
"Then, on Saturday, they had photos taken at the winner’s podium at the Races, and that evening, they had dinner at the local Golf Club."
"Lisa Moore’s Dancing School provided entertainment for the evening," she concluded.
Ms Kavanagh also paid tribute to the late Pat Sweeney, the former chairperson of the Kildare town Twinning Committee, and the person who originally suggested the twinning agreement between Kildare town and Corps Nuds.
When asked by the Leader about why she feels the twinning agreement is important, Ms Kavanagh replied: "It’s lovely to learn about other cultures."
"As a result of this agreement, there has been over 30 years of friendships which have formed, and more friendships keep being formed," she added.
Lastly, Ms Kavanagh told the Leader that there are already plans for the Kildare town Twinning Committee to visit Corps Nuds next year, to mark the 30th anniversary of the signing over there.
Kildare historian Mario Corrigan welcoming attendees to the ceremony on Friday, August 16 last.