The Normans’ welcome return

Last Thursday saw the arrival of 30 visitors from East Rouen, Normandy to Granard to mark the next phase of the towns’ twinning celebrations.

Despite the torrential rain, the Norman visitors enjoyed food and refreshments in Abbeylara parish centre and did not let the inclement weather put a dampener on their good humour.

The following morning, the guests enjoyed a talk at Corlea Interpretative Centre and viewed the Iron Age track way. This was followed by a beautiful Bogwalk around Corlea. That evening, the official reception was hosted by the Longford and Granard Town Councillors.

Turlough McGovern presented a framed linen photograph with the official town motto of Granard embroidered on it: ‘Féile, Flúirse, Fáilte’. Meaning hospitality, abundance and welcome it proved a fitting motto as host families and town committee members upheld these principles over the weekend.

The beautiful gift was organised by Sr Maeve Brady and Padraig McNamara. Daniel Dominique and Daniel Hue, president of East Rouen’s twinning Association, presented beautiful landscape prints by Normandy painter, Michele Ratel. Barbara Heslin, Director of Services from LCC spoke of the importance of continuing the partnership between both towns.

The visitors later enjoyed Sean Nós dancing and traditional music provided by Máiréad Farrell and Comhaltas members after a buffet dinner and refreshments.

On Saturday morning, Robert Pakenham facilitated a historical walk through Granard town and the visitors were delighted to see the mural was specifically designed and painted for their arrival. Thanks to Cnoc Mhuire’s Art teacher, Charmaine Hetherton and a team of TY students who worked very on the project. The wall was kindly donated by Séan Donohoe and prepped beforehand by volunteers from the Tidy Towns committee. Organisers were delighted by the support of local businesses for the town twinning events, and many had decorated their shop fronts with a French theme.

Filming of a short commemorative piece re-enacting the arrival of the Normans, specifically Richard De Tuite, 837 years ago was shot at the Motte and Bailey. The Norman guests had brought their traditional costumes and dressed up for this short pageant.

Knights and Conquests provided the backdrop for the remainder of the day as festivities occurred to mark the Grian Ard festival. There were market stalls, tours of the interpretative centre, sword demonstration, archery, bouncy castle, music and dancing culminating in the procession and lighting of the bonfire.

On Sunday afternoon, the Norman contingent and hosts visited the Seven Wonders of Fore, the Benedictine Monastic ruins and Fore Distillery and shop. Here, they were treated to a personal tour and tasting event. After dinner they were treated to live music courtesy of Stephen Brady in Fay’s Pub.

On Monday morning, the French visitors headed to Dublin for a day’s exploring.

A spokesperson for the Town Twinning committee said: “We would like to acknowledge the funding and support for this project which we have received from Longford County Council and Granard Town councillors. A special word of thanks to Moira Mahon, chairperson of the Town Twinning Association and its members for working behind the scenes to keep the spirit of our twinning alive.

“We have plans to extend our twinning programme with a student exchange involving a collaboration between both Cnoc Mhuire and Ardscoil Phádraig in the near future.

“To continue to celebrate our shared cultural bonds, we are planning a return visit in June 2027 for Millennium: The European Year of the Normans, a massive, year-long, continent-wide celebration honouring the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth. We will be so honoured to be part of these festivities.”