Visit to Wurzburg 19th - 23rd May 2010

19th May 2010

Jim O’Neill and Geraldine Cole travelled as part of the Wicklow Delegation to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Twinning of Wurzburg with the County of Wicklow.

First Official Engagement was a Civic Reception to mark the 10th Anniversary. The Wicklow Delegation was led down the Main Street of Wurzburg by Brass Band and into the City of Wurzburg Council Chamber where the Anniversary papers were signed and the Mayor of Wurzburg, George Rosenthall, made a speech committing his City to the continuance of the partnership with Wicklow.  Chairman of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Pat Vance spoke and included in his speech Wurzburg’s new relationship with West Wicklow.  The evening concluded with presentations and a Civic Reception in honour of the Wicklow Delegation. 

Thursday 20th May 2010

4pm.    Visit to Volkach. 

The Mayor of Wurzburg had the Dunlavin delegation chauffer driven from Wurzburg to Volkach, accompanied by his International Affairs Officer.

We were met by Mayor Kornell in the Rathaus (Town Hall and Tourist Centre) who was accompanied by a Tour Guide.  We did a walking tour of the town which has approx. 9,200 residents. The town is a very popular tourist attraction, situated in the loop of the River Main, 30km from Wurzburg. It is the centre of Lower Franconia’s wine growing region.

The town has a Late Gothic Parish church which has just been recently renovated to the tune of over €1 million.  This, along with the Renaissance Town Hall and other feature buildings make Volkach a very attractive town.  There are a number of small hotels and wine bars.

Mayor Kornell is keen to develop a partnership with other European towns, and despite his best efforts, local Councillors have, to date, rejected each proposal.

7pm.    School Concert

The Wicklow Delegation attended a concert by the local secondary school, which is linked with St. Killian’s School, Bray.  The concert included mime performance by the special needs students of the school, dance, big band music and traditional Irish music.

 

Friday 21st May 2010

1pm.   Visit To Theilheim.

The Dunlavin Delegation was met by Dr. Bernd Schmidt, Director of IT at Wurzburg City Hall, who is also a resident of Theilheim.  He drove us to his town which is about 12 km South West of Wurzburg and has a population of approx. 2,000. 

Theilheim is a very picturesque small town which has its own town Council.  We were greeted on arrival by both Deputy Mayors and the Theilheim Wine Princess who spent the entire afternoon, and early evening with us.  We first visited some vineyards surrounding the village and then went on an intensive walking and driven tour which included the catholic church (including the bell tower), the Town Hall, library, fire station, primary school, indoor and outdoor sports facilities including tennis, soccer etc.  Finishing the day with a visit and dinner at an award-winning organic winery.

There are no hotels, guest houses or pubs in Theilheim.  However, each club or sports facility has its own club/bar (including the fire station).

Recommendations: 

Volkach would be more suited to entering a Partnership with West Wicklow – and this is something that should be pursued. Eva Maria (Wurzburg International Affairs Office) recommends that Mayor Kornell and a delegation from Volkach join the Wurzburg delegation on the next trip to Wicklow with a view to meeting with the three West Wicklow Forum.

Theilheim would be delighted to twin with Dunlavin and it has been recommended to Mayor Rosenthall that Dr. Bernd Schmidt, who has been part of an official visit to Bray in 2006, would be included in the next Wurzburg visit to Wicklow with a view to visiting Dunlavin.

Tourism: 

Mr. Fred Verdier, Wicklow County Tourism, was part of the delegation and has offered to meet with the Dunlavin & District Forum. 

Recommendation:  That this offer be taken up by the Officer Board of the Forum and the Dunlavin Business Organisation.

 

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