Call made to restore Kilrush’s French connection

CALLS are being made to revitalise the inks between West Clare and North Western France, on the 40th anniversary of the Kilrush-Plouzané twinning initiative. 

Councillor Ian Lynch proposed that the local authority would reinvigorate the long-standing connection with the Britanny town, which shares historical links to St Senan.

The Independent member outlined to the recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District (WCMD) that the twinning had been established in 1982, under Kilrush Town Council’s auspices.

Links between the two towns had been unearthed in the late 1970s by a Breton historian who was looking into the history of Plouzané. The settlement, close to the major French city of Brest, looked at the origin of the name ‘Plouzané’, which means ‘church of Zane’.

He then established that Zane was the Irish monk, Senan, whose home was Scattery Island. St Senan established churches in Cornwall and Brittany 

“As this would be the 40-year anniversary, now is the right time to reinvigorate the twinning,” Councillor Lynch said. He paid tribute to those who initiated the link, including the late Councillor Michael Flynn who was Chair of Kilrush Urban District Council at the time. 

Councillor Lynch also contrasted the fortunes of the twin towns in the 40 years since the link was formed between them.

“Because of the downturn/recession in Ireland in the late ‘80s, most young people in Kilrush were leaving for Dublin, London, New York or Sydney,” he said.

“Meanwhile Plouzané was growing from a town the size of Kilrush to its current population of 12,000, helped by its proximity to Brest, a city that is now the size of Belfast. Brest is a 15 to 20 minute drive away, so Plouzané is obviously popular with commuters working in the city. Kilrush does not have that luxury, so we have to fight to keep the town relevant.

“The Mayor’s Office in Plouzané is responsible for the twinning, and in France, the mayor has power, permanent positions and funds to make things happen. As we know in Ireland, local power was taken from us and with that a gap in how we interact with local authorities in France.

“Plouzané now has twin towns in Germany, Italy and Wales also, sadly realising that the link to Kilrush was not thriving, most likely down to the lack of new young people in our town with an understanding of the link and how to keep it active.”

The Kilrush man has now called for action from Clare County Council to resuscitate the French connection.

“Our Urban Council is gone, more is the pity,” said Councillor Lynch, “but we must find a way to revive the connection, particularly given that the association is now in its 40th year.

Anything that draws positive attention to the town must be encouraged and there is no large money outlay required here – just a wish to re-establish communication and friendship.”