German students visit Sligo to celebrate 35-year twinning link that has built lasting friendships
Sligo Champion
The enduring bond between Kempten and Sligo, twinned since 1990, witnessed a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship as Kempten university and secondary school students visited County Hall recently.
The students were warmly welcomed by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Bree, who highlighted the significance of the exchange programmes in fostering international understanding and cultural appreciation.
'Our friendship with Kempten has truly enriched our community,' stated Cathaoirleach Bree. 'These exchanges provide invaluable opportunities for our young people to experience different cultures firsthand, build lasting friendships, and broaden their horizons,' he said.
Also in attendance was Ms. Dympna Gorman, President of Sligo Town Twinning, who brought a poignant reminder of the long-standing relationship: the original town twinning charter, bearing the signatures that cemented the bond over three decades ago.
Ms. Gorman spoke of the numerous benefits derived from the twinning agreement, emphasising its role in promoting cultural exchange, educational links, and economic cooperation.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Bree spoke of the Erasmus Programme which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between Kempten and Sligo, with Sligo County Council proudly welcoming students from Kempten in recent years.
He said this exchange program has not only enriched the educational experiences of the students but has also deepened the ties between the two communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect.
The friendship between Kempten and Sligo has been a source of enrichment for both communities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
The visit to Sligo County Council served as a reaffirmation of this enduring bond, highlighting the value of international partnerships in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation.
During their stay in Sligo, the students attended Mercy College, Sligo and enjoyed various activities while in Sligo, one of the highlights was Surfing in Strandhill. This is one of several exchanges between both towns, Third level students from ATU Mechatronic Engineering Department have also an annual exchange between their counterparts in Kempten, facilitated and promoted by Sligo Town Twinning.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Excavation in Co Sligo recovers over 1,000 artefacts from 17th century
More than 1,000 historical artefacts have been recorded during a three-week excavation of a seventeenth century fort in Co Sligo led by ATU archeologists. One of 65 bastioned forts in Ireland, the Green Fort located on Fort Hill in Sligo town is the last visible reminder of the seventeenth-century town fortifications. The Green Fort which was in existence during the Williamite Wars and the Confederate Wars is thought to have been built during the Nine Years War (1594-1603). The archeological excavation involved opening an excavation trench in the fort interior. Recorded discoveries included military artifacts as well as other artifacts which display evidence of the food, drink and smoking habits of those once stationed at the Green Fort. Dr Fiona Beglane who led the excavation told RTÉ News the artefacts recorded "include clay pipes for smoking tobacco". "We also have glass, pottery and animal bones, which are evidence of food. On the military side we have found musket balls, buttons and part of a mortar bomb." Dr Beglane also said the dig found "evidence of historic drainage works, destruction and renovation of the interior of the fort". The excavation was carried out by ATU students of the Certificate in Archaeological Excavation and Post-Excavation and the Certificate in Archaeological Field Studies. Students also came from USA, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Kosovo and the Ukraine as well as community volunteers funded by Sligo County Council. The team hoped to gain an insight into the nature of the buildings, structures and features that once occupied the fort, thus shedding light on the lives of those stationed there. A fort's primary function was to mount artillery and protect a garrison during periods of warfare. The spear-shaped bastion fort was a strategic base during the Williamite Wars as Sligo lay on the main passage between Ulster and north-west Connacht. A copy of a commemorative medal of the 1691 capture of Athlone, Galway and Sligo held in the British Museum depicts Sligo, with the Green Fort on the lower right of the medal. In 2017, Sligo County Council commissioned a conservation plan for the Green Fort in Rathquarter townland to address the long-term preservation of the monument. As part of the conservation plan, the council commissioned geophysical surveys of the Green Fort, one of seven such sites in the county. A circular feature, about 25 metres in diameter, was identified in the centre of the monument, possibly an early medieval ringfort mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, which recorded the presence of an early medieval ringfort known as Ráith dá Briotócc at the location where the Green Fort now stands within O'Boyle Public Park. Since the 1980s, different community groups have celebrated the Green Fort through enactments of Williamite attacks, public lectures, guided tours and conservation works. The Green Fort Archaeology Project was conceived two years ago following discussions between the ATU archaeologists, Dr Fiona Beglane and Dr Marion Dowd, Sligo County Council, and the National Monuments Service. The Green Fort which commands a 360-degree view of Sligo town is recognised as a national monument and it is protected under the National Monuments Act.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Sligo's Lucie Cawley breaks Irish Schools Intermediate record at just fifteen years of age
Tullamore on the June bank holiday weekend is the place to be for athletics enthusiasts as the cream of the crop take centre stage for the most prestigious event of the juvenile athletics calendar. Coming through the provisional competitions, Connacht's athletes go on to Nationals where it's all straight finals with the best from each region are on show. For Sligo, over 20 athletes graced that start line and did not disappoint. The Championships kicked off on Friday night where Mercy College student Lucie Cawley once more made jaws drop as she lead from pillar to post in the Intermediate girls 1500m steeplechase. Streamstown's Lucie, at only 15 years of age, was running as a new year intermediate so will be in this category again next year. This didn't stop Lucie slicing 8 seconds off the schools record. What a 2025 so far for the Streamstown athlete! Alice Belo again from the Mercy College jumped a massive personal best in the Junior girls triple jump landing herself a top 6 finish. It was the same for Francis Donghue of Summerhill College when he finished 5th place in the senior boys 5000m. The night was capped off by a brilliant run from Ross Campbell in the Inter boys 1500m steeple, with the Sumnerhill student will eligible for this age and event next year. Onto super Saturday with Briain Cullinan getting the day kicked off in style in the Inter boys 400m hurdles. Briain a Summerhill stalwart and serial medallist, took over half a second off the Irish schools record only to find one better on the day and finish with a brilliant silver, what are the chances of 2 breaking one record on the same day! Mila Clancy ran her guts out for 6th place in the inter girls 300m hurdles while Nicole Flanagan was jumping her way to a brilliant 4th place. Clancy also took part in the inter girls long jump finishing in 7th and just missing the final by 9cm. Ruby Cunnane was moving up an age where she ran an exceptional race to finish in 3rd place in the Junior girls 75m hurdles. Crissie Doohan hit PBs in both discus (6th) & shot putt (7th)—amazing progress! Conor McDonagh was third place for St Attracta's over the 400m in the Senior boys category, Conor will be back next year hungrier than ever. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more St Attracta's pair Erin Walsh and Arlin Barrett had a great tustle over at the senior girls long jump with Walsh coming out on top for 7th place and Barrett in 9th. Back on the track, Sinead Evans of Mercy College produced her best ever moment in the u16 mile where she ran a massive personal best of 5min 37seconds and leave her in a great position going into the Summer season. With only a couple of events to go, Mercy College teacher Eimear O'Brien was closely watching the intermediate girls section as the Sligo school were looking to seal the top accolade here. Riona Luse and Nicole Flanagan worked wonders for this to happen as they finished 2 & 3 in the triple jump with Flanagan getting the better of her school team mate for that silver. Luse quickly ran to the high jump and pulled in a further 4 points landing 5th place here and the Mercy girls sealed victory with a point in the 4x100m relay and the return of Emily Hession adding to the talented team of Ruby Cunnane, Nicole Flanagan & Lucie Cawley. There was brilliant runs by Summerhill relays with the inter boys in the mix all the way but getting disqualified for running out of their zone on the final leg. The senior boys got a well deserved bronze when Darragh Burke sprouted wings down the homestraight to edge the medal on the line. And the St Attracta's senior girls filled 8th place. Out on the throwing fields, Ruairí McLoughlin in the inter boys hammer threw out over 35m for 6th pace while Kelley McHugh(discus) sealed 8th place and got a valuable point for the Mercy intermediate girls. The week prior to Irish schools, Sligo athletes made the trip to Brussels to compete at the star struck IFAM meet. On the Saturday, PBS a plenty with Conor McDonagh posting a swift 49.3 in his now favoured distance the 400m, while his sister Caoimhe McDonagh swapping her jump spikes for sprints posting a brilliant personal best over 100m in 12.57. Lucie Cawley dropped down the distances getting a swift 800m in, winning her section in a personal best time of 2min 17 seconds and plenty in the tank crossing the line too. Mila Clancy ran a cracker on the Sunday over 200m posting a seasons best and a great return to form.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Irish Independent
German students visit Sligo to celebrate 35-year twinning link that has built lasting friendships
Sligo Champion The enduring bond between Kempten and Sligo, twinned since 1990, witnessed a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship as Kempten university and secondary school students visited County Hall recently. The students were warmly welcomed by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Bree, who highlighted the significance of the exchange programmes in fostering international understanding and cultural appreciation. 'Our friendship with Kempten has truly enriched our community,' stated Cathaoirleach Bree. 'These exchanges provide invaluable opportunities for our young people to experience different cultures firsthand, build lasting friendships, and broaden their horizons,' he said. Also in attendance was Ms. Dympna Gorman, President of Sligo Town Twinning, who brought a poignant reminder of the long-standing relationship: the original town twinning charter, bearing the signatures that cemented the bond over three decades ago. Ms. Gorman spoke of the numerous benefits derived from the twinning agreement, emphasising its role in promoting cultural exchange, educational links, and economic cooperation. Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Bree spoke of the Erasmus Programme which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between Kempten and Sligo, with Sligo County Council proudly welcoming students from Kempten in recent years. He said this exchange program has not only enriched the educational experiences of the students but has also deepened the ties between the two communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect. The friendship between Kempten and Sligo has been a source of enrichment for both communities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The visit to Sligo County Council served as a reaffirmation of this enduring bond, highlighting the value of international partnerships in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation. During their stay in Sligo, the students attended Mercy College, Sligo and enjoyed various activities while in Sligo, one of the highlights was Surfing in Strandhill. This is one of several exchanges between both towns, Third level students from ATU Mechatronic Engineering Department have also an annual exchange between their counterparts in Kempten, facilitated and promoted by Sligo Town Twinning.
