From Kieran: Report: Southern Star September 21, 2013 New bid to complete Kinsale and Barry Friendship Pact BY LEO McMAHON KINSALE Town Council is to write to it counterpart in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan requesting the signing the second leg of its friendship pact in the Welsh port. As pointed out by Cllr Billy Lynch, a fisherman, at the monthly meeting, Kinsale TC has strong maritime and family ties with Barry as many from the Irish port emigrated and served in the Royal Navy and British Merchant Navy during the 20th century. Several are also buried in the Welsh town. Back in 1999, a friendship pact was signed in both centres by the Barry branch of the Merchant Navy Association and the former Kinsale Harbour Commissioners. Spearheaded: At ‘Sea Sunday’ in Kinsale in 2009, the first leg of a similar pact between the two town councils was signed by then Mayor Dermot Collins and then Mayor of Barry Howard Hamilton, accompanied by Cllr Stuart Egan. Cllr Lynch said the friendship pact was in particular spearheaded by a family which has relatives in both centres and others. Cllr Tomas O’Brien said it was important that Kinsale’s twinnings with Mumbles, Wales; Antibes in France and Newport, Rhode Island, USA as well as the friendship pact with Barry be continued after the expected abolition of the town council as part of local government reform in 2014. Complete pact: Cllr Fred Treacy then proposed that acting town clerk Mr Stephen Murphy formally write to Barry TC about completing the pact between the councils and in support Cllr Lynch said it was his understanding the Welsh local authority was in agreement, adding it was very important to do this before the abolition of the town council. Cllr Claire Curtis is Mayor of Barry and Mr Cliff Lewis is clerk. Cllr O’Brien and other members concurred saying human relationships between Kinsale and towns in other countries was important while mayor Tony Cierans asked that fellow councilor’s arrange to meet and greet a large delegation from Antibes due to visit Kinsale the week after the council meeting. On a proposal by Cllr Treacy, it was agreed to invite the mayor of Newport, Rhode Island to the 2014 St Patrick’s Day parade in Kinsale, which it is hoped will feature an American band. A group from the Co Cork town attended the Newport equivalent every year.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 17:17:56 +0000
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