Athlone welcomes twinning delegation from Châteaubriant

Athlone Town Council in association with the Athlone Town Twinning Committee hosted a delegation of 38 French visitors arriving from Châteaubriant on Thursday as part of the ongoing twinning visits and exchanges that take place between both towns. The French group was led by the deputy mayor of Châteaubriant, Madam Monique Bigot; the president of Chateaubriant Twinning Committee, Maurice Pucel; and members of the French Twinning Committee. Athlone is twinned with Châteaubriant, a picturesque town located in the Loire-Atlantique Department of Western France since 1995. The town is located close to Nantes and Rennes and is popular with tourists for its château, a medieval castle, and Renaissance palace. Strong links have been developed over the years between Athlone and Châteaubriant and both twinning committees have worked hard to introduce and develop contacts in all sectors of the French and Irish communities. The committees have facilitated and encouraged cultural, sporting, tourism, social, educational, and industrial exchanges and visits over the years. As recently as last week a group of seven Irish musicians and dancers led by twinning secretary Tom O’Connor travelled to Châteaubriant to give a workshop on Irish dance and to participate in a Breton Céilí. As part of this particular visit, Athlone Choral Society will host the Meli Melo choir from Châteaubriant for four days. A joint concert of the two choirs will take place tonight Friday May 9 in St Mary’s Church. A further music event with both choirs will take place in Clonmacnoise on Saturday May 10. This trip will see the French group visit local places of interest including Athlone Castle, Luan Gallery, Clonmacnoise, Kilbeggan Distillery, Belvedere House, and Derryglad Folk and Heritage Museum which is welcomed by the local tourism sector and certainly reflects the overall success and positive economic benefits of the town twinning between Athlone and Châteaubriant. If you would like to become involved in the Athlone Twinning Committee please call (090 ) 6442100