Pictured at the twinning arrangement signing in Providence were front row, l-r, council representative Jo-Ann Ryan, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Athlone Mayor Frankie Keena and Councillor Paul Hogan. Back row, l-r, State representative Mary Mercier, Patrick Griffin chairperson Providence Twinning committee, John Henson secretary Athlone Twinning committee, Pat Murtagh Westmeath County Council, Jim Mulkerrins chairperson Feile na Sionnaine, State representative Scott Slater.

Athlone now twinned with Providence in Rhode Island

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Informal links between Athlone and Providence in Rhode Island have been officially formalised following the twinning of both towns in Providence City Hall on March 6.

The official twinning took place two days prior to the hosting of the St Patrick's Day Parade in Providence, to which a delegation from Athlone were invited.

Musicians from Athlone Comhaltas and Féile na Sionnaine and representatives of the Athlone Municipal District Festival and Events Committee, the Féile na Sionnaine committee, Athlone River Festival and the Military Police Association of Ireland along with Mayor of Athlone/Moate Municipal District Cllr Frankie Keena and a senior Westmeath County Council official comprised the Athlone group.

Speaking on his return to Athlone, Mayor of Athlone, Cllr Frankie Keena welcomed the twinning arrangement.

"As Mayor of Athlone, I was honoured to join the Athlone delegation in signing this formal twinning agreement with my colleagues Cllr. Paul Hogan, John Henson and Pat Murtagh.

"Mayor Brett Smiley, together with Council representative Joanne Ryan and her team, signed the formal declaration on behalf of Providence.

"The Feile na Sionnaine group, led by Jim Mulkerrins and the Athlone Comhaltas Eireann group, led by Ellen Glennon, provided excellent performances through music, song and dance and were rapturously received by our American friends.

"Our representatives from the Military Police of Ireland, Paddy Fitzpatrick and Des Ruane also represented their unit with great pride and honour, while Morgan Fagg captured the essence of the trip with his photography," the Mayor said.

On behalf of the visitors, Mayor Keena expressed his warm thanks to the Providence twinning group which was very well led by Ballydangan native Patrick Griffin and council representative, Jo-Ann Ryan.

"They and their team provided us with a very warm welcome to their beautiful city.

"This twinning agreement will bring significant benefits to Athlone over the coming years in the areas of education, business, culture, tourism, music and community," Mayor Keena added.

An open invitation was extended to Mayor Smiley, Patrick Griffin, council representative Joanne Ryan and the entire Providence twinning committee to come to Athlone later this year.

"We are looking forward to their visit," Mayor Keena concluded.

Ronan Fagan
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