Bon Voyage! Longford group are looking forward to French adventure
A group of eleven young people and two leaders from Ballinamuck will set off on their Twinning Visit to Essert, France
In the very early hours of Tuesday, July 23, a group of eleven young people and two leaders from Ballinamuck will set off on their Twinning Visit to Essert, France.
Now in its 27th year, this annual twinning event is an exciting part of the Ballinamuck Enterprise Group’s calendar.
The young people have prepared for the visit by fundraising, doing a First Aid course, a swimming assessment and engaging in conversational French.
The young people will stay with host French families and the whole group of young people – Irish and French will engage in a range of activities organised by Passados programme (Essert Youth Service).
To raise awareness of Olympic values and sporting activities the young people and leaders will participate in activities at the Malsaucy Water Sports Centre.
There will be a focus on environmental awareness: getting around by bike, on foot or by bus. Keeping waste to a minimum etc during the exchange. Artistic creativity will not be forgotten: a large graffiti painting will be created by the participants under the direction of Belfort graffiti artist Katka. The painting will display words in French, English and Irish chosen by the participants in relation to the twinning and/or any subject that is important to them.
In the meantime, the young Irish guests will be able to explore Essert and Belfort with their partners and enjoy a day at Fraispertuis City amusement park.
The adult contingent travels to France on July 27. They too will stay with French host families.
They have a packed itinerary including: The programme for the following days includes:
- A day in Besançon, capital of the Franche-Comté Region with a guided tour of its citadel, a Unesco World Heritage Site, overlooking the city centre and its fortified walls built by Vauban. A visité Le Musée du temps, located in a superb Renaissance building, the museum pays tribute to Besançon’s watchmaking history and tradition.
- A day in Epinal, capital of the Vosges, nicknamed “The city of prints” including a visit to the Musée de l'Image, which displays the largest collection of popular prints in Europe. There will be a guided tour of the old town and the Basilica of St Maurice
- A Franco-Irish cookery workshop at the Logis d'Amitié, an introduction to the game of Pétanque with a local group.
There will be an official reception in the Town Hall which will include representatives from Longford County Council (Paddy Mahon, CEO and Cllr Gary Murtagh, Granard MD Cathaoirleach) and Essert local council.We wish them all the very best and thank them for representing Ballinamuck.
If you or your child would like to get involved in next year’s twinning, please email ballinamuckcommunity[email protected]
CAPTION: Well done to this year's Ballinamuck twinning group, who as part of their preparation for next week's 27th Twinning with Essert, completed Basic First Aid and also Hands for Life CPR. Safe travels to this dedicated bunch. Front row l to r; Micheal McKenna, Cathal Tully, Sarah McEvoy and Lauren McKenna; middle: Patrick McKenna, James Hilton, Clodagh Tully and Grainne McKenna; back: Paddy Howe (leader), Emma Gantley and Chantelle Connell (leader)