This Friday 20th September, Letterkenny will once again welcome a group of visitors from the town of Rudolstadt, Germany.
The visit is the latest chapter in the ongoing relationship that began back in 2018 when Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh first proposed the idea to twin Letterkenny with the town from the state of Thuringia in Germany.
Letterkenny man, Karol Kerrane has been a resident of Rudolstadt for a number of years and it was his friendship with Jörg Reichl, the local Mayor that started the connections between the towns.
Since that first meeting, many friendships have developed between the civic leaders and local people in the two towns with students from Colaiste Ailigh, St Eunan’s College and Errigal College all involved in exchange programmes with schools and colleges in Rudolstadt.
A delegation from Letterkenny travelled to Rudolstadt for St Patrick’s Day celebrations in March this year highlighting the deep connection between the two towns. The weekend was filled with a colourful program that was organised by the Rudolstadt city administration in cooperation with local partners.
A delegation of 55 visitors from Rudolstadt will arrive in Letterkenny on Friday 20th September 2024 for a long weekend visit.
The group will get an immediate opportunity to immerse themselves in all aspects of Irish culture, arriving just in time for Culture Night 2024.On Saturday the group will visit Inishowen to see Dunree Fort and Military Museum and then the Famine Village on the Isle of Doagh before returning to Letterkenny.
On Sunday the group will visit the Fanad peninsula and will take a tour of the Lighthouse at Fanad. They will visit Portsalon Beach before moving on to Rathmullan and finally returning to Letterkenny where the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will provide an evening’s entertainment at Dillon’s Hotel.
There will be an opportunity to visit local schools on Monday.
The Mayor of the Letterkenny & Milford Municipal District Cllr Gerry McMonagle will host a reception for the delegation on Monday evening.
The visitors leave for Dublin on Tuesday for a meeting with the German Ambassador before flying home.
