South Longford town twinning group group celebrates great French festival of Liberty
Ballymahon Town Twinning refused to let Bastille Day slip by unnoticed while their friends in their twin town of Landevant, Brittany, were raising a glass in France.
Ballymahon Town Twinning refused to let Bastille Day slip by unnoticed.
Again this year, the group celebrated La Fête Nationale, France’s great festival of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity on July 14.
While their friends in their twin town of Landevant, Brittany, were raising a glass in France, Ballymahon brought a little French magic closer to home.
This year the destination? Ballagh. Just outside Mullingar. A short journey. A long way from ordinary.
For one evening, the location became “Ballagh de Bretagne” as the annual Bastille Day celebration moved to the countryside for a French-style summer BBQ, friendship, music and plenty of Gallic spirit. And the weather played its part.
The evening began beneath glorious summer sunshine with a wine and champagne reception. Very French. Very civilised. Then the music started.
And it was anything but quiet.
Eighteen singers and musicians , young and not so young, filled the evening air with Breton songs, Irish favourites, flutes, tin whistles and violins.
The swallows overhead appeared confused. Were they flying over Brittany ? Nobody was quite sure.
The musical celebration was led by Erica Chadwick O’Meara, musical director of Ballymahon Twinning, who has been working closely with musical colleagues in Landevant. The performance will form part of a larger Brittany celebration later this summer.
This was Twinning at its best. A little France. A little Ireland. A lot of friendship.
And, naturally, there was food.
But this was not a “grab a plate and run” affair. This was French dining.
The food arrived slowly. The conversations were lengthy but flowed freely.
Guests settled onto old farm-style seats and benches and enjoyed grilled meats, smoked sausages, seafood, salads, fresh bread and local cheeses.
The meal was almost secondary. The real feast was friendship and chat.
The evening also marked an important moment in the history of Ballymahon Twinning.
After sixteen years as President, Breege Murray stepped down from the role at the recent AGM.
She passed the baton to newly elected Chairperson, Oliver Nally, who will now guide the group into its next chapter. But before the evening ended, there was one more important celebration.
New Chairperson Oliver Nally called for everyone’s attention and paid tribute to Breege’s remarkable contribution to Ballymahon Twinning.
As her fellow Twinners sat quietly staring into glasses of Breton cider and eau minérale, Oliver recalled more than 25 years of dedication, commitment and friendship.
The story began in 1998 when Breege Murray, Joe Mackey, Pat Byrne (First Chairpersson 1998-2000) and Cecelia Mellon travelled to Landevant on a reconnaissance visit to explore the possibility of a formal twinning link.
They returned with an enthusiastic report. The vision became reality.
In 2001, in the Dean Egan Hall, Ballymahon and Landevant officially signed their Twinning Charter.
Representing Ballymahon at that signing were Michael Killen (R.I.P.), Longford County Manager; Victor Kiernan (R.I.P.) and Barney Steele, members of Longford County Council; Sheila Stafford, Chairperson of Ballymahon Twinning; and Breege Murray, Secretary of the group.
Then came Breege's turn. In 2010, she became Chairperson of Ballymahon Twinning, having already worn every other hat on the committee... Secretary. P.R.O. Treasurer. If there was a job to be done, chances are Breege had already done it. And done it well.
She remained Chairperson until this year's AGM. Her contribution? Extraordinary.
For more than a quarter of a century, Breege has been at the centre of the Ballymahon–Landevant partnership. A tireless organiser.
Friendships flourished. Exchanges grew. The Twinning thrived.
Her dedication and passion have created a legacy that will continue for many years.
Although Breege has officially handed over the presidential reins, anyone who knows her (or Tommy!) will tell you that "stepping down" certainly doesn't mean "stepping away."
The pair remain as enthusiastic and committed as ever to Ballymahon Twinning and in recognition of their years of dedication, they were presented with a specially commissioned portrait of themselves by the new Chairperson Oliver Nally.
Her response was humble and full of gratitude.
She thanked everyone who has helped make the Twinning movement such an enduring success, paying particular tribute to Longford County Council and La Mairie de Landévant for their unwavering commitment and support over the years.
Above all, however, she reserved her warmest thanks for the people of Ballymahon, whose friendship and support have been at the heart of Ballymahon Twinning from the very beginning.
The French flags may have been packed away for another year. The Breton cider may have run dry.
But the friendship between Ballymahon and Landevant remains as strong as ever.
Vive le Twinning.