As our Breton trip continues we arrive at a port town which happens to be one of the biggest seaweed exporter centres in Europe.

And so we have reached part five of our week long Breton trip in August/September.   We begin with the very picturesque setting where there was an ancient cross where one was encouraged to rub one’s  back to rid one of back pain!    Then it was onwards to the seaweed centre where we witnessed the transfer of the seaweed from trawler to lorries.   Our excellent tour guide soon left us having guided us on this particular section of our tour just before we crossed one of Brittany’s most impressive bridges.  (S.R.)

Our Guide gives us an excellent tour of a most interesting Museum - Le Musée des Goémoniers - when for two days we left Pommerit le Vicomte to visit Western Brittany. This Museum paid tribute to the very important Seaweed Harvesting Industry in that area and of the highly regarded people who worked in that industry.

Our Breton feature continues as we complete our visit to the local festival of St. Fiacre with its exquisite Church and superbly maintained Cemetery (features which exist throughout Brittany).   On the Monday we set off on a two day visit of Western Brittany on one of the Nicolas coaches with a most helpful Driver.   We were so blessed with wonderful weather.  (S.R.)

Enjoying the wonderful sunshine and magnificent setting of Pontrieux after Mass on the Sunday.

Our Sunday begins in Pommerit le Vicomte where we assemble before driving to nearby beautiful Pontrieux where we attend Mass followed by a very enjoyable stroll through the charming town which has the river flowing through making it a truly exquisite setting.   In the afternoon Yves and Josiane took me to a very interesting bazaar (or car boot sale) which happened to be taking place in Pommerit le Vicomte.   Then we proceeded on to the historic village of St. Fiacre where a splendid local cultural festival was taking place.   Here we got to meet some great friends whom we had got to know over our twenty-five years of twinning.   Our visit was blessed with excellent weather throughout the week.   We shall later continue our feature on our trip to Brittany.   (S.R.)

The very beautiful home of Yves and Josiane Allain where I was privileged to stay during our recent week in Brittany.

As promised, we begin our special feature on our recent visit to our twin town, Pommerit le Vicomte in Brittany where celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of our Twinning took place on the Friday evening (2nd Sept. 2011) …. But we begin on the previous Saturday (27th Aug.) when twenty of us left The Square, Millstreet on Darren Kealy’s bus driven by William Fitzgerald.   Leaving Cork Airport we soon arrived at a wonderfully warm Rennes Airport to be greeted by Yves Allain and our friendly driver from the Nicolas Coach Co..   Arriving at the Community Centre in Pommerit le Vicomte we were very warmly welcomed by so many of our wonderful Breton Friends including Monsieur Jean le Floch (who 25 years ago officially unveiled the first twinning plaque at Millstreet’s Carnegie Hall) as well as Irish Friends like Maureen (originally from Pound Hill, Millstreet) and the Buckley Family from Laught, Rathcoole.    Tomorrow we shall share images from our Sunday in Brittany.   (S.R.)

Photographed at the official unveiling by the Mayor of Pommerit le Vicomte of the very impressive plaque commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Twinning of Millstreet with Pommerit le Vicomte in Brittany on Friday, 2nd September 2011 - from left: Yves Allain, Le Maire, Anne Keane and Joseph Crom. A full comprehensive feature on the superb week of twinning activities for the twenty Millstreet Representatives so wonderfully welcomed by the Breton Twinning Committee and the many very cheerful and sincerely friendly people of this great region, will follow in a few days time. We are presently in the process of preparing the highlights from thousands of images we have taken of this past historic week in Brittany. (S.R.)

Millstreet. Une délégation pour le 25e anniversaire du jumelage

Le comité de jumelage va recevoir une délégation irlandaise de Millstreet, du samedi 27août au samedi 3septembre, à l’occasion du 25e anniversaire du jumelage. Vingt-deuxIrlandais seront reçus dansdes familles pommeritaines. Le bureau, autour des deux présidents, Yves Allain et JosephCrom, a mis en place tous les détails du programme et des festivités. L’arrivée des Irlandais est prévue le samedi 27août. Durant leur semaine sur le sol breton, de nombreuses visites sont prévues (cap Fréhel, Dinan, découverte du Finistère, balade en famille, découverte du patrimoine local…). Le mercredi 31août, à 19h, à la salle socioculturelle, soirée galettes-saucisses et crêpes pour tous les membres du comité, pour les familles d’accueil et les Irlandais avec,auprogramme, danses traditionnelles bretonnes et irlandaises. Vendredi 2septembre, à 18h, cérémonie officielle à la mairie, puis réception et vin d’honneur à la salle socioculturelle. À 20h, soirée festive, repas et danses traditionnelles, ouverte à tous sur inscription (20 €, vin compris;tarif enfant). Inscription auprès d’Yves Allain, tél.02.96.21.71.66, Joseph Crom, tél.02.96.21.74.77, ou dans les commerces locaux l’Oasis, la boulangerie ou au Huit à Huit, avant le 28août.

Réunion lundi

Une réunion de préparation pour tous les membres du comité et de toutes les familles d’accueil aura lieu lundi, à 20h, au hall de la salle socioculturelle.

—– Translation from French to English ——

Millstreet delegation for the 25th Anniversary of the Twinning.

The twinning committee will be welcoming an Irish delegation from Millstreet, from Saturday, 27 August till Saturday, 3 September, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of twinning. Twenty two Irish will be accomodated by Pommerit families. The office, around both presidents, Yves Allain and JosephCrom, set up all details of program and festivities. The arrival of the Irish is envisaged on Saturday, 27 August. For their week on the Breton soil, numerous visits are envisaged (cape Fréhel, Dinan, exploring Finistère, trips with their host families, exploring local heritage). On Wednesday, 31 August, at 19 h, in the sociocultural room, a party with plain round flat cakes-sausages and pancakes for all members of the committee, for families of reception and Irish with, the programme, Breton and Irish traditional dances. On Friday, 2 September, at 18 h, official ceremony in the town hall, then wine reception of honour in the sociocultural room.

At 20 h, festive party, meals and traditional dances, opened to all on booking (20 €, including wine; child rate also). Inscription to Yves Allain, tél.02.96.21.71.66, Joseph Crom, tél.02.96.21.74.77, or in local shop the Oasis, the bakery or in Eight-eight, before 28 August.

Meeting on Monday
A meeting of preparation for all members of the committee and all families of reception will take place on Monday, at 20 h, in the foyer of the sociocultural room.

(apologies if my translation isn’t perfect)

—— Other Reading —–

Read all the Pommerit-le-Vicompte news on Le Télégramme.com

In Pommerit, they have been preparing for the 25th anniversary celebrations since the start of the year

Browse through our older articles on Pommerit-leVicompte

Included in the photo are: Doirean O’Sullivan, Ursula Pomeroy, Mary Cashman, ?, ?, Mary Lane, ?, Seán Radley, ?.

Shown left is the short article  that was attached to the above photo.

[Any chance someone could help translate this please]

Pictured at the 25th Anniversary of Millstreet / Pommerit-le-Vicomte Twinning Association on 18th September 2010 at Liscahane where a tree was planted and a plaque unveiled - wearing distinctive hats on the occasion (on left) Bernard, an Artist from Pommerit-le-Vicomte and Brendan Murphy of LTV2 Millstreet (Seán)

The international gathering attending the unveiling of the Twinning 25th anniversary plaque at Millstreet's Carnegie Hall on Friday, 24th September 2010.

Yannick Perrot unveils the special plaque at Millstreet's Carnegie Hall on Friday, 24th September 2010 marking the 25th anniversary of the Twinning between Pommerit-le-Vicomte in Birttany and Millstreet. Also included is Anne Keane (Chairperson, Millstreet Twinning Association) and Thierry Raffan of Brittany who acted as Interpreter. The plaque reads as follows: "25th Anniversary - Giorraíonn beirt bóthar (Company shortens the road) - 24th Sept. 2010." The historic occasion was also recorded by LTV2 Millstreet. (Seán)