This article is from page 30 of the 2007-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
THE village of Sixmilebridge liter- ally bent over backwards last week in welcoming a team of Danish gym- nasts for the Irish leg of the recipro- cal exchange with the local commu- nity.
The team, which specialises in rhythmic gymnastics, put on several acrobatic displays and a workshop as well as visiting many of Clare’s most famous attractions.
Joergen Madsen, one of the team leaders with the party of 60 from Haderslav, said that the trip was “a great experience and fun” as always.
“Our group wanted to make spe-
cial contact with another group and Kevin and Dolores O’Loughlin re- sponded over 20 years ago. People have been coming from Denmark since then and we have seen a lot of Ireland. Our two countries like sing- ing and music and performance and everyone loves the visits.”
He added that the young people got the genuine Irish experience staying with host families in Sixmilebri- dge and Kilmurry and had enjoyed events such as a special camogie match, social evenings and tours of the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty and Ailwee Caves.
Even the cold and showery condi- tions had not put a dampener on the
nat oy
‘The weather has not been the best but we had some very good days. They still liked it very much and we will look forward to the Irish visit next year or the year after. We have a big festival every four years and our Irish visitors like this very much,” he Sr nLG
Over 45 members of the Sixmileb- ridge variety group spent nine days in Denmark last year.
The exchange has been going on since 1988 and according to Mr O’Loughlin, a formal twinning ar- rangement could be on the cards for the 21st anniversary next year.
‘Hundreds from the village have
participated over the years and they all learned about new customs and had the challenge of adapting. Peo- ple from the first visit are still friends today. It’s a big voluntary effort lo- cally and Dolores and the committee do a lot of work to organise it.”
He paid tribute to all involved and thanked everyone for helping with the huge fundraising effort to cover 40. ene