Athboy celebrates 25 years of its French connection

The Fair Green in Athboy was alive with music, colour and celebration on Saturday as the town marked the 25th anniversary of its twinning with Autonne Villages in Picardy, France.

The milestone event saw the formal reaffirmation of the Twinning Oath first signed in Pondron, France, in 2000. A delegation of 48 French visitors arrived the previous evening to stay with host families for the weekend, cementing friendships that have grown steadily over a quarter of a century.

Among the dignitaries present for the signing of the Reaffirmation Charter were Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Wayne Harding, Athboy Community Person of the Year Assumpta Kelly, Athboy Twinning Association Chairperson Anthony Leavy and Secretary Maria Nugent. They were joined by Madame Valérie Sinople Duroyaume and Madame Catherine Van Goethem from the French association, as well as French mayors Christian Bornigal (Fresnoy) and Bernard Lavesseur (Sery-Magneval). Meath councillors Mike Bray, Sean Drew and David Gilroy also attended, alongside Dara McGowan, Director of Services for Tourism.

The Navan Silver Band provided a lively soundtrack, while the 8th Meath Athboy Scouts, fresh from a visit to Autonne, raised the flags.

Masters of Ceremony Lucy and Thierry Grillet guided the proceedings.

Speakers reflected on the success of the partnership and the many exchanges and friendships it has fostered. Mr Leavy paid tribute to the committees and volunteers past and present who have supported the twinning, along with Meath County Council, Boyne Valley Tourism, Ireland’s Ancient East and Fáilte Ireland. “We hope future generations will continue to build on this relationship and keep the twinning alive,” he said.

The Twinning Oath was read in French, English and Irish by Lilou Michel, Léna Jouade, Clodagh Miggin and Réaltín de Búrca, before a native oak tree was planted in memory of deceased members of both associations.

The weekend featured a packed programme of workshops including St Brigid’s cross-making, bodhrán playing, weaving, Irish dancing, découpage and crêpe-making. A gala dinner took place on Saturday night at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, followed by a céilí and singsong on Sunday morning. Some of the French visitors also attended Mass, where they received a warm greeting in their own language from Fr Padraig McMahon PP.

Entertainment on Saturday included a flashmob dance led by the Reel Deal School of Dancing, live music from French performers Nathalie Neuvic and Alain Pievic, and a petting zoo from Dunderry Fair which delighted younger guests.

Before departing on Sunday afternoon, the French delegation enjoyed lunch and social time in the CCC Hall. Host families are already looking forward to welcoming them back for future visits, including this year’s Púca Festival which has become a regular fixture on the twinning calendar.

The Athboy Twinning Association described the celebrations as “an outstanding success”, helped by fine weather and huge local support.

They thanked the community for their fundraising efforts, local businesses who decorated their shopfronts in a spirit of “Bienvenue”, and schoolchildren who took part in an art competition on the theme of twinning.