Cleveland Achill Twinning at WSIAC West Side Irish American Club October 28, 2023
In 2003 the city of Cleveland Ohio USA was twinned with Achill Island in County Mayo Ireland. A delegation from Cleveland travelled to Achill Island in September 2023 and a group from Achill Parish and County Mayo visited Cleveland in late October 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the agreement. There were many events to celebrate the occasion.
On October 28, 2023 a sold out gala celebration was held at the West Side Irish American Club. It began with Mass and then a reception and dinner. Then various speeches and recognitions followed by music. dancing and craic.
The program began with Mistress of Ceremonies Anne Mulloy Hodge introducing Orla Cafferkey to lead the Irish national anthem and Tiffany Schaefer the US national anthem.
Anne Mulloy Hodge - MC for the evening
Orla Cafferkey
Tiffany Schaefer
Next, Sister Catherine Walsh CSA offered a prayer before dinner.
Sister Catherine Walsh CSA
3 bagpipers from the WSIAC unit played a few songs to lead into dinner.
Watch a video of the above.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
After dinner, Mistress of Ceremonies Anne Mulloy Hodge told about the history of the WSIAC and how her father Steve Mulloy worked with Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell to make the twinning a reality. She then called up Mayor Jane Campbell.
Note: In 2015 Steve Mulloy was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of fame posthumously. He was inducted by Mayor Jane Campbell and Steve's son Thomas.
Tom Mulloy and Jane Campbell in 2015
Mayor Jane Campbell
Anne Mulloy Hodge and Mayor Jane Campbell
Next, current Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb spoke and told of his recent trip to Achill and Mayo.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
Mayo County Council's Cathaoirleach Michael Loftus
Colleen Corrigan Day gave some remarks and then introduced Cuyahoga County Council president Pernel Jones Jr. who told of his recent visit and had the crowd laughing as he described the Irish breakfast and the blood sausage (black pudding.)
Colleen Corrigan Day
Cuyahoga County Council president Pernel Jones Jr.
He was followed by Honorary Irish Consul Mark Owens
Honorary Irish Consul Mark Owens
Anne Mulloy called up committee members Mary Quinn Griffin, Andy Devers and Judge Sean Gallagher to be recognized. Sinead Ni Fhatharta, Head of Enterprise & Employment - Údarás na Gaeltachta, spoke next.
Mary Quinn Griffin
Mary Quinn Griffin and Sinead Ni Fhatharta
Sinead Ni Fhatharta
Next, committee member Kathleen Mangan was honored by Galway Chamber CEO Kenny Deery who also gave Margaret Lynch an award.
Kathleen Mangan and Kenny Deery
Kenneth Deery
Margaret Lynch and Kenneth Deery
Then Terence Dever gave an award to Andy Devers and gave his remarks.
Andy Devers and Terence Dever
Terence Dever
Enjoy these other photos from the event.
Gerry and Nellie Quinn and children
Cleveland Mayors #58 and 56 - Justin Bibb and Jane Campbell
John Myers and Mary Anne Baucco
Ryan Puente, Anne Mulloy and Mark Owens
Gerry Quinn, Dan Chambers and Pat Leneghan
Quinns and Fitzpatricks
John Myers, Gerry Quinn, John O'Brien Sr. and Mayor Bibb
Michael Loftus and Jane Campbell
Jane Campbell and Gerry Quinn
Judge Gallagher, Michael Loftus and Pernel Jones
Jane Campbell and John O'Brien Jr.
John O'Brien Sr. and Mayor Justin Bibb
Kenneth Deery and Gerry Quinn
Dan Hanson, Jane Campbell and Gerry Quinn
Andy Devers
Marc Owens and Michael Loftus
Brian and Colleen Day with Gerry Quinn
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