Bundoran's Shane Smyth presents gifts from McNutt's and Donegal Pens on Czech visit

Shane Smyth and other guests at Sušice, Czech Republic, for fourth Douzelage Young Musicians Festival. Photos: Jarmila Hlucha

placeholder image — Shane Smyth and other guests at Sušice, Czech Republic, for fourth Douzelage Young Musicians Festival. Photos: Jarmila Hlucha

Shane Smyth stepped down from his current role as Bundoran Tourism Officer in March and attended the fourth Douzelage Young Musicians Festival in the Czech Republic partner town of Sušice

Shane Smyth brought a bit of Donegal to the Czech Republic, in his role as President of Douzelage European Town Twinning.

The Bundoran native stepped down from his current role as Bundoran Tourism Officer in March and attended the fourth Douzelage Young Musicians Festival in the Czech Republic partner town of Sušice.

There he had the opportunity to make a short speech and was welcomed so warmly by Mayor Petr Mottl and Eva Beníšková and her team, who did such a wonderful job of organising the whole event.

Shane Smyth presenting Eva Beniskova with a scarf from McNutt of Donegal, also in photo is Kristina Volna

“ I was delighted to be able to present some uniquely Donegal gifts to our hosts including a scarf from McNutt of Donegal and a bog oak pen from Donegal Pens,” Shane told DonegalLive.

“It's very important that I'm representing Donegal whenever I am invited to these events and also important to bring some Donegal with me! McNutt and Donegal Pens are just two of the many great brands associated with the county and I know these gifts will be put to good use in the Czech Republic.”

The Douzelage movement was the brainchild of the Granville (France) and Sherborne (UK) Twinning Associations in 1989. Delegates of the twelve founder members, one for each European Community member state, met in 1991 in Granville to sign the charter formally bringing Douzelage into existence.

Shane Smyth presenting Mayor of Sušice, Czech Republic Petr Mottl with a Donegal bog oak pen

Now, in line with EU expansion over the years, Douzelage has a partner town in each of the 27 countries in the European Union and also the UK, with Bundoran the town representing Ireland in the movement.

Bundoran has hosted the general meeting (annual conference) twice and hosted many guests for the likes of St Patrick's Day and others on personal visits.

The purpose of Douzelage is simply to foster opportunity and friendship amongst its member towns. Cultural, sporting and educational exchanges between towns lie at the heart of this, and in the longer term commercial and tourism initiatives. Education has always been one of the most important features of the many events and projects organised by the member towns. Indeed the possibilities, which were created for furthering the educational aspirations of the member towns, were one of the most important considerations when forming the Douzelage.