Bray Municipal District welcomed a delegation from its twinned city – Dublin in California – to Bray last week.
A warm welcome was extended to the visiting delegation by the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy and Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Melanie Corrigan.
The delegation, which was led by the Mayor of Dublin California Cllr Melissa Hernandez and Vice-Mayor Michael McCorriston, included County Supervisor, David Haubert and Dublin California Council Members and Officials.
Dublin, California, which has a population of 72,932 has been twinned with Bray since 1985. This Partnership was reaffirmed in March 2023.
Wicklow County Council took the opportunity of showcasing some of the county’s prime tourist attractions taking the delegates to experience the newly renovated Avondale House and the major tourist attraction Beyond the Trees in Rathdrum. Visitors also got to visit the beautiful village of Avoca and the Glendalough monastic site.
The visiting delegation met with the Senior Management Team of Wicklow County Council where the Chief Executive, Emer O Gorman, gave the delegates an overview of the strategic projects the Council is involved in, followed by presentations from the Head of Enterprise, Vibeke Delahunt; Tourism Officer Fred Verdier and the Manager of the Council Screen Office, John Powderly.
Welcoming the delegation, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, 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 that can benefit both communities around Tourism, education, business and film.”
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, added: “This visit is the continuation of a new chapter in the twinning relationship between Bray and Dublin City California which would see the development of a deeper mutually beneficial relationship into the future.”
She thanked Eugene Finnegan, Chairman of Bray Tourism, for his contribution to the twinning relationship since its inception back in 1985 and presently and also to everyone involved in putting the programme of events in place.
A business meeting took place in the Town Hall on Sunday morning Chaired by Cllr Corrigan and attended by Bray Municipal District elected members; Bray District Manager, Lorraine Gallagher; Bray Rotary Club and the Chair of Bray Chamber of Commerce.
At the conclusion of the meeting, delegates experienced Ireland’s biggest air festival, the Bray Air Show, which marked the end of a very successful and productive Town Twinning visit.