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