Vive l’amitié! French students get to experience the best of Longford

There was plenty of “ooh la la” echoing down the streets of Ballymahon last week as twelve bright young visitors from Landevant — the town’s twinned community in north-west France — touched down for a whirlwind tour of Longford life.

Five lads, seven lassies, and two brave group leaders arrived on Thursday afternoon, armed with umbrellas, curiosity, and only a vague idea of what “the craic” actually meant. By the end of the trip, they knew — and were still catching their breath.
Their Irish adventure began at Ballymahon Day Care Centre, where they shared lunch, laughter, and stories with local residents. From there, they went to their accommodation and quickly discovered the cornerstone of Irish hospitality: bottomless cups of coffee and tea.

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A warm official welcome followed, courtesy of Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martin Skelly and Cllr Pat O’Toole, with musical flair provided by Erika and Ciara O’Meara on concert flute.

Then came the great soccer showdown against Ballymahon AFC — a spirited clash that saw fierce competition, heroic saves, and a final score that will remain classified for the sake of international relations (and egos). Let’s just say both sides won… in enthusiasm.

Next up: a circus skills workshop at Bridgeways, where the French visitors discovered that juggling, balancing, and gravity are not always compatible. Miraculously, everyone survived and the evening wrapped up with a lively traditional music session led by Dessie Hynes (Mullingar) and Michael, Adam, and Mary Joe Cully (Glenamaddy).

The night’s highlight? A spontaneous crash course in sean-nós dancing, or as one student dubbed it, “la danse mystérieuse avec beaucoup de pieds!” (the mysterious dance with many feet). There was giggling, Googling, and no shortage of enthusiastic footwork. One student vowed to return next year “to master this one man dancing thing.”

Friday delivered the full Irish experience — complete with authentic rain. Undeterred, the students wandered Ballymahon’s streets, chatting with locals, visiting cafés and shops, and discovering that “Tayto” is not a person, but a national icon.

Lunch was hosted at Bridgeways Family Resource Centre by the Ballymahon Twinning Committee, followed by entertainment and activities with Castlewood Holidays.

That evening, the group braved the elements for The Dead of Night Festival in Longford town — a spectacular Samhain celebration of folklore, fire, and the supernatural. Between the glowing ghostly boat and the spine-tingling storytelling, the French were enchanted, drenched, and ever so slightly terrified. Mission accomplished.

By Saturday morning, farewells were tearful. As the bus to Brittany rolled away, hugs and promises filled the air. “Longford people are a gift from heaven,” said one student. Locals, of course, nodded — because everyone in Ballymahon already knew that.

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The unforgettable visit was made possible by Ballymahon Twinning, Bridgeways Family Resource Centre, and the CYPSC Youth Forum, who together transformed an ordinary October weekend into a bilingual bonanza of friendship, fun, and fearless dancing. Or, as one French visitor summed it up perfectly:

“Ballymahon — it rains, it sings, it dances… and it feels like home.”

Vive l’amitié! Long live the friendship between Ballymahon and Landevant — where the tea and coffee flows freely, the music never ends, and even the rain has rhythm.