Cork council refuses to commit to twinning ‘flagship event’

Council officials have refused to give a firm commitment for a Cork “flagship event” to highlight the Government’s announcement that Ireland is to be twinned with France for the duration of this country’s presidency of the EU.

A motion proposing the flagship event for Kinsale was put forward at a meeting of the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District Council recently by Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan, who is also head of the Irish delegation to the European Committee of the Regions.

Ms Coughlan suggested hosting an educational and cultural event in Kinsale, showcasing the region’s cultural, culinary, and maritime links. She also suggested that invitations be sent to the mayor and officials from Antibes in the southeast of France, which is twinned with the Cork town.

Her motion was seconded by Independent councillor Alan Coleman who thought it an ideal opportunity to showcase the area, as did Independent Ireland councillor John Collins.

However, Ms Coughlan was disappointed with the response received from municipal district officer Brian Dunne, who said that within the Bandon–Kinsale Municipal District, four international twinning arrangements exist.

Of these, the link with Newport, Rhode Island in the US, is currently the most active twinning Kinsale has and is marked by annual civic and community events on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Any future events or commemorations relating specifically to the Antibes partnership would, similarly, require annual funding through the general municipal allocation, in line with other active twinning initiatives,” 

he said.

The town was twinned with Antibes, which is on the French Riviera, in 1990, and Mr Dunne admitted that since its inception, the twinning has promoted meaningful cultural exchange, tourism development, and opportunities for economic collaboration.

Both Kinsale and Antibes share strong similarities, including renowned harbours, culinary traditions, and vibrant community life. Mr Dunne agreed that these make the twinning a particularly well-aligned partnership. But he would not confirm that the municipal district council would fund a flagship event for the town.

Ms Coughlan urged that the county council’s executive would have a rethink. Municipal district chair Fine Gael councillor Marie O’Sullivan, who owns a restaurant/café in Kinsale, said she and Mr Coleman are members of the council’s tourism special purposes committee, and would bring Ms Coughlan’s suggestion before it.