The official twinning of Achill and Cleveland took place in 2003 as a result of members of the Achill Diaspora, most notably Steve Mulloy (RIP), making contact in 2001 with Terence Dever, CEO of CFÁA. Terence said, "Steve approached me with a view to exploring if anything could be done to establish a formal bond between Achill and Cleveland. We had a long chat and within weeks a formal meeting took place in Mayo County Council offices to begin this process. I can safely say no stone was left unturned until we had a twinning agreement in place between the city of Cleveland and County Mayo."
"In August 2003 the Mayor at the time, Jane Campbell, led a delegation to Mayo, which included the late Steve Mulloy and the late Con Mangan. In October the presiding Chairman of Mayo County Council, Cllr Frank Chambers, led a delegation from Mayo to Cleveland. These were emotional times and I recall clearly Steve shedding many tears of joy," Terence added.
Since this initial twinning, there have been many return trips to and from both sides of the Atlantic. In October 2008 a framework for the future was developed under four headings: - Education
- Arts & Culture
- Business
- Tourism
This is an ongoing process, and both communities are committed to fulfilling the initial aspirations of Steve Mulloy, Con Mangan and all the other founding members of the twinning committee on both sides of the Atlantic. On October 10, 2013 a ceremony was held to recognize the 10 year anniversary of the twinning of Achill Island County Mayo in Ireland and Cleveland in Cuyahoga County Ohio as sister cities. The ceremony was held in Judge Patricia Gaughan's courtroom.  Tom Scanlon
Delegation from County Mayo
Next, Cleveland City Council President Martin Sweeney told of the influence that then Mayor Jane Campbell and Steve Mulloy had in the twinning process. Along with a few personal stories, Sweeney read a proclamation from Cleveland City Council.
Terence Dever, CEO of Comhlacht Forbartha Aitiuil Acla (CFÁA) presented a clock to Cleveland City Council President Martin Sweeney that shows the time both in Achill and Cleveland. 
Terence Dever
Martin Sweeney and Terence Dever
Comhlacht Forbartha Aitiuil Acla (CFÁA) Chairman Pat Kilbane and Councillor John O'Malley, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, also spoke.  Pat Kilbane
O'Malley said the clock that was given to Martin Sweeney represented the relationship between Cleveland and Achill: 2 times zones, 2 continents but 1 people.
Enjoy these other images from the event.
Andy Dever, Councillor John O'Malley and Chairman Pat Kilbane
Judge Patricia Gaughan
Erin Ryan and Gerry Quinn
Bill Conway and Meg McGarry
Gerry Quinn Jr., Maura McCarthy and JC Sullivan
Sheila and Bob Crawford
Achill and Cleveland clock
Back to Top
Back to Cleveland Irish | 
