Irish connection for twin town

Porthmadog has a rich maritime history

Visitors to a popular tourist destination in Gwynedd could soon be greeted with trilingual road signs.

Porthmadog has taken its first steps to strengthen the Celtic connections between two harbour towns on opposite sides of the Irish Sea.

The town council is in the process of coming to a formal twinning arrangement with the town of Wicklow in Ireland.

The Mayor of Wicklow, Councillor Dennis Teevan, and the town council's chief executive, Frank O' Toole, travelled to Gwynedd at the invitation of Porthmadog town councillors last weekend.

Both have harbours with an industrial heritage and both towns have a magnificent mountain terrain as a natural backdrop

Bethan Rees Jones, Porthmadog Town Council

Later this month, a delegation from Porthmadog Town Council will travel to Wicklow in return.

"It's apparent that both towns have a lot in common," said Porthmadog Town Council's chair, Bethan Rees Jones.

"Both have harbours with an industrial heritage and both towns have a magnificent mountain terrain as a natural backdrop," she added.

Wicklow county lies on the east coast of Ireland and is often known as "The Garden of Ireland".

Like north west Wales, its rolling hills, valleys, mountains, forests and farmland make it a popular destination for tourists and outdoor pursuit enthusiasts.

Golf clubs

Porthmadog Yacht Club and Wicklow Sailing Club have already had a long and happy relationship with regular exchange visits taking place.

Now golf clubs in the two towns are discussing the possibilities involved in arranging fixtures.

"Twinning the towns could provide us with an excellent opportunity to co-operate on cultural, economic and social levels," explained Wicklow Mayor Dennis Teevan.

"It is important that we bring communities like ours together as there are so many advantages and opportunities for those which co-operate and work as a team within a European framework."

Ceremonies

Wicklow, which has a population of 10,000, is the larger of the two towns but both enjoy a thriving tourism industry.

"Although we're separated by the Irish Sea Wicklow and Porthmadog are only a mere 70 miles apart," said Councillor Bethan Rees Jones.

"But to make the twinning a success everyone in both towns must join in the fun and benefit from the experience," she said.

The next stage will include formal twinning ceremonies in both towns.

Signs will then be put on the oads entering Porthmadog and Wicklow in Irish, Welsh and English heralding the new partnership.