November 1st 2024, marked the 25th anniversary of signing the Partnership Agreement between the City of Würzburg, Bray and County Wicklow. This very successful partnership has grown from strength to strength over the years, bringing our communities together through arts, culture, sport and education.
A delegation of over forty citizens of Würzburg, led by Bürgermeisterin, Stadt Würzburg, Judith Roth-Jörg visited Wicklow from 30th October to 3rd of November and participated in a programme of events hosted by Wicklow County Council, the Irish German Society of County Wicklow and Bray Municipal District. Upon their arrival in Bray on Wednesday evening, the delegation enjoyed local hospitality, providing an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new acquaintances.
The visiting delegation received a warm welcome from the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O’Brien, and the Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Dermot O’Brien. The delegation was led by Bürgermeisterin, Stadt Würzburg, Judith Roth-Jörg and Matthias Fleckenstein, Deutsch-Irische Gesellschaft, Würzburg and Stadt Würzburg Council Members and Officials.
Wicklow County Council showcased some of the county’s tourist attractions with a short tour on Thursday morning, including a visit to Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese, where the delegates learned about cheese-making and the challenges facing a business in County Wicklow.
The visiting delegation also met with the Senior Management Team of Wicklow County Council. Deputy Chief Executive Michael Nicholson provided an overview of the strategic projects the Council is involved in, followed by presentations from various Council staff members.
Welcoming the delegation, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O’Brien, said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today to hear about the work the Council is involved in and explore ways of expanding the twinning relationship to capitalise on opportunities and friendships which exist. This twinning arrangement has been very dynamic over the last twenty-five years, and it is brilliant to see it continue to flourish.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman said ‘An integral part of this twinning has been the role played by young people on school and cultural exchanges. I would like to thank the schools who facilitated and promoted these exchanges along with the Wicklow German Society.’
As part of the programme, there was an official reaffirmation of the partnership agreement between Stadt Würzburg and Bray and County Wicklow. This ceremony was attended by elected representatives, members of the Irish German Society, and local community members. Following the reaffirmation, delegates had the opportunity to visit St. Killian’s School and the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray Town Twinning
Bray is twinned with Bègles in France, Würzburg in Germany, and Dublin, California. Each year, delegates from Bray travel to and host representatives from these twin towns, fostering meaningful cultural connections and community engagement.
- Bray’s first European Twinning Partnership was with Bègles, France.
- In 1999, Bray formalised its twinning with Würzburg, Germany.
- Bray established its relationship with Dublin, California, in the late 1990s, leading to several visits and collaborative exchanges.
Bray’s town twinning programme is designed to encourage friendship, cultural understanding, and shared growth across borders while also promoting tourism and trade. Bray enhances its role as a welcoming, globally connected community through these partnerships.