Latest news with #DeclanBree
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
German students visit Sligo to celebrate 35-year twinning link that has built lasting friendships
Sligo Champion The enduring bond between Kempten and Sligo, twinned since 1990, witnessed a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship as Kempten university and secondary school students visited County Hall recently. The students were warmly welcomed by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Bree, who highlighted the significance of the exchange programmes in fostering international understanding and cultural appreciation. 'Our friendship with Kempten has truly enriched our community,' stated Cathaoirleach Bree. 'These exchanges provide invaluable opportunities for our young people to experience different cultures firsthand, build lasting friendships, and broaden their horizons,' he said. Also in attendance was Ms. Dympna Gorman, President of Sligo Town Twinning, who brought a poignant reminder of the long-standing relationship: the original town twinning charter, bearing the signatures that cemented the bond over three decades ago. Ms. Gorman spoke of the numerous benefits derived from the twinning agreement, emphasising its role in promoting cultural exchange, educational links, and economic cooperation. Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Bree spoke of the Erasmus Programme which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between Kempten and Sligo, with Sligo County Council proudly welcoming students from Kempten in recent years. He said this exchange program has not only enriched the educational experiences of the students but has also deepened the ties between the two communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect. The friendship between Kempten and Sligo has been a source of enrichment for both communities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The visit to Sligo County Council served as a reaffirmation of this enduring bond, highlighting the value of international partnerships in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation. During their stay in Sligo, the students attended Mercy College, Sligo and enjoyed various activities while in Sligo, one of the highlights was Surfing in Strandhill. This is one of several exchanges between both towns, Third level students from ATU Mechatronic Engineering Department have also an annual exchange between their counterparts in Kempten, facilitated and promoted by Sligo Town Twinning.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sligo doctor's nine nephews and nieces killed in devastating Gaza attack
Sligo Champion Today at 00:00 The Israeli regime has stooped to an unimaginable level of depravity, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree, when he expressed condolences following the deaths of nine children from one family in Gaza on Friday last. The children were the nieces and nephews of a Sligo based doctor, Dr. Ali Al Najjar. His nieces and nephews were killed in recent days in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sligo Fleadh to welcome over 400 talented competitors for plenty of ceol agus craic
This year's Fleadh was officially launched by Junior Minister Marian Harkin at a function in the Mercy College, Sligo, on Saturday evening last. Following an opening address by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Declan Bree, County Board Chairman, Tim Mulcahy, outlined the programme of events for the weekend which includes an opening session at the Riverside Hotel on Friday night and a full programme of competitions on Saturday and Sunday at the Mercy College, with up to 400 competitors taking part. Thanking Minister Harkin for making herself available at short notice, due to a family bereavement of Minister Dara Calleary, he went on to outline the events that Sligo County Board were promoting this year, including Ceol an Gheimhridh and the many local Comhaltas festivals throughout Sligo. Mr. Mulcahy thanked Eamon Scanlon TD, all the elected members that attended and was generous in his praise for the Local Authority and their continuous help and support it gives Comhaltas. He wished all the competitors the best of luck in their endeavours and thanked his fellow County Board officers for all their hard work in preparing for the Fleadh. He also thanked all the volunteers who had committed to help run the Fleadh over the weekend. The evening finished off with some refreshments and some great music from branch members throughout the county. The MC for the night was Bartley Gavin.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Hundreds march through Sligo to show solidarity with Palestine – ‘We stand on the right side of history'
Well over 500 people attended the IPSC protest which saw local politicians and activists lead the crowd on a march from the GPO through Sligo town centre before finishing at Sligo City Hall. The demonstration was centred around the message 'Stand with Palestine – Stand against Genocide'. Following the march, a number of speakers addressed the crowd assembled at City Hall, including Councillor Gino Boyle who chaired the event; Councillor Declan Bree, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council; Niamh Sullivan, North-West Mothers for Social Justice (NWMSJ); Chris MacManus, former Sinn Féin MEP; Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit; and Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC. The keynote comments was delivered by Yazan Odeh, a Palestinian resident of Sligo and an ATU research student. Mr Odeh told the crowd that he celebrated his wedding last month in the West Bank where his family reported taking hope and encouragement from Irish protests against Israel's destruction of Gaza. 'The Palestinian people are still here because free people are supporting us. I am strong because of you,' he told the crowd, adding that Irish people's kinship with Palestinians is felt strongly in return. 'We are Irish as you are Palestinian.' Addressing the crowd, Councillor Declan Bree outlined the devastation that Israel has inflicted on Gaza and said pressure must be applied to Sligo-Leitrim TDs Marian Harkin, Frank Feighan and Eamon Scanlon to ensure that sanctions are imposed on Israel. 'Talk to them, phone them, write to them and, if necessary, plead with them to ensure that the OTB is enacted without any further delay,' he said. Niamh Sullivan of NWMSJ pointed to the thousands of children killed by Israeli military actions in Gaza. 'We know now that the killing of children isn't a red line. We have a duty to the children and people of Gaza to create hope. That's why we are calling for people to take action and join the IPSC,' she said. Former Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus said ordinary Irish citizens' protests against South African apartheid in 1984 is what set the stage for Ireland's sanctioning of South Africa in 1987. The episode, he said, provides a model for action against Israel. 'Just as Ireland led by sanctioning Apartheid South Africa in 1987, it must again take the lead today by sanctioning apartheid, genocidal Israel,' he said. 'The ordinary people of Ireland have stood resolutely with the Palestinian people during this onslaught. 'We stand on the right side of history, and we call on the government to the stand on the right side of that line by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill,' he said. Brian O'Boyle of People Before Profit referenced the media storm over Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap's vocal opposition to the war. 'There's more anger at Kneecap for telling the truth about genocide than the genocide itself. We punch through the lies by coming out and protesting,' he said. Davina Utting of Sligo IPSC offered tips on what consumers can do to register their objection via their own consumer choices. 'We can hit companies who won't divest in the back pocket,' she said.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
County Sligo Fleadh to welcome over 400 talented competitors for plenty of ceol agus craic
This year's Fleadh was officially launched by Junior Minister Marian Harkin at a function in the Mercy College, Sligo, on Saturday evening last. Following an opening address by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Declan Bree, County Board Chairman, Tim Mulcahy, outlined the programme of events for the weekend which includes an opening session at the Riverside Hotel on Friday night and a full programme of competitions on Saturday and Sunday at the Mercy College, with up to 400 competitors taking part. Thanking Minister Harkin for making herself available at short notice, due to a family bereavement of Minister Dara Calleary, he went on to outline the events that Sligo County Board were promoting this year, including Ceol an Gheimhridh and the many local Comhaltas festivals throughout Sligo. Mr. Mulcahy thanked Eamon Scanlon TD, all the elected members that attended and was generous in his praise for the Local Authority and their continuous help and support it gives Comhaltas. He wished all the competitors the best of luck in their endeavours and thanked his fellow County Board officers for all their hard work in preparing for the Fleadh. He also thanked all the volunteers who had committed to help run the Fleadh over the weekend. The evening finished off with some refreshments and some great music from branch members throughout the county. The MC for the night was Bartley Gavin.
