This article is from page 35 of the 2007-06-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
A GROUP of young Danish people will visit Sixmilebridge next week, as part of a cultural exchange with locals.
The group of 56 young people and nine leaders will travel from Had- erslev and will spend five days with families in Sixmilebridge and Kil- TOU AA
They will be treated to local per- formances in hurling and camogie, while they will get the opportunity to travel around the county.
They are scheduled to visit Bunrat- ty Folk Park, John’s Castle in Limer- ick, while a trip to the sights in north Clare should take in Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher and Ailwee Caves.
An exchange has been ongoing be- tween Sixmilebridge and Haderslav since 1988. Last year, 45 members of the Sixmilebridge variety group spent nine days in Denmark, where
they enjoyed a major festival and mingled with locals.
One of the organisers of the ex- change in Sixmilebridge, Kevin O’ Loughlin, is hopeful that the event will pave the way for a twinning be- tween the two areas.
“An unofficial twinning has been taking place between the two ar- eas since 1988. Next year will be 21 years and we hope to formalise it in some way and maybe look at a for- mal twinning,” he said.
“We will be trying to give those who arrive here a flavour of Irish culture, including Irish dancing. We are also putting on a camogie match and we will give them the chance to participate in camogie and hurling,” he said.
“The important thing is that they spend time with families and en- joy the Irish lifestyle,” added Mr O’ Loughlin.
Over the years, several trips to Den-
mark have been enjoyed by members of the Sixmilebridge variety group. Many members of the group have visited Haderslav on a number of occasions, such was their love of the people and the place.
“The main benefits that come out of this are the lasting friendships. The bond is not just a five day won- der, but a lot of solid friendships are formed,” said Mr O’Loughlin.
The group will arrive in Sixmile-