99th year Battle of Somme commemorations

A delegation of 10from Grandvilliers and Athy went to attend these commemorations. We were 8 people of our group with 2 youngs (Sean and James of the Athy Town F.C. At 7.28 sharp we were at Lochnagar Crater in La Boisselle where began the battle. Very moving place !
Then we went to Albert for a short breakfast.where we met David Walsh, Mr Brennan and his son,. At 10.15 we  was in Thiepval where British Legion made things well. Every one could have a seat but due to the heat (around 40°) people were attending under surrounding trees.
The ceremony was,  as usually, very moving, and our youngs (french and irish) laid, on behalf of our two towns, a wreath (coloured as our both flags) at the required place this year, because of refurbishing works for 2016 commemorations. hanks to the British Legion, C.W.G.C, Lancers regimental fanfare.
We took notice at that time we were the lone franc-irish  twinning committee attending and laying a wreath, that since numerous years we attended.
After lunch we visited Albert Museum and trenches located in Auchonvillers.

2015 visit to ATHY

A strong delegation of 47 Grandvilliers's people travelled to Athy from 8th to 11th May. Among them where youngs of G.A.C Football, Grandvilliers Judo Club, Swimming Club and older of our local Photo society (Objectif Photo).
Saturday was mainly for sports (judo and kempo, U.15 football match, meeting at K Leirure swimming pool...
During the saturday evening diner, Christian (vice-chair of our twinning committee) and Joel (chair of Photo society as local councillor), after speeches, gave to Tom Kearney, chairman of the Athy Twinning Group, an old french post office box, specially refurbished. All members of the Athy group received a small present from our committee.
Sunday, they travelled by bus to Wexford, then to New Ross where they visited the Dunbrody Famine Ship. One day is short and they had not enough time to visit the Hook lighthouse.

On Monday morning, all french were going back to Dublin airport to flight back to Paris Charles de Gaulle. They met in Dublin local staff of W.F.S.
See you all next year in Grandvilliers !
All youngs of french clubs thank very much the Fondation d'Entreprise W.F.S for its help !

Grandvilliers, le départ

Football chairmen meeting 

Kempo and Judo meeting

Dancing after diner

Cllr Joel receiving Athy Town present

Tom receiving Grandvilliers twinning committee present

Adults on Dunbrody Famine Ship 

Saying "au revoir" on tha back Square Athy

Youngs with Dublin W.F.S staff

Saint Patrick 2015

On past 21th march, we enjoyed very much, as usually, the evening.
Musicians were "Clonakilty" group from Paris and after the meal, they trained the attendance to irish dances. Adter and till 2pm, D.J was there for youngers.

WE'RE ALL CHARLIE !

After past week disaster, we have to pray for all those who were murdered in Dammartin and Paris. They were anyone as we could be. Just they were at the wrong place at the wrong time, no politic, no religion in that.
Freedom is a gift of life, we have to be carefull to keep it for us and our children as their children... !

Christmas

The board, all members of La Balad'Irlandaise wish to everyone in Athy a merry Christmas ans a very happy and peaceful year 2015 !

Summer University youngs visiting our town, Grandvilliers

On Th. 15th July, all youngs attending the 2014 Summer University visited our town.
Morning : they saw the film "the Paths of Glory" and after the necessary break for the picnic, they've been meeting Mr Flament (historian) at Sarcus cemetary where 2 soldiers were shot at dawn and buried there.
Next day, they'd visited Paris... Saturday evening : the end...unfortunately !
For our 4 youngs (Ciara, Declan, Conor and Sarah), we've been sponsored by Fondation d'entreprise W.F.S and Rotary Club. Thanks to them !

EUROPEAN YOUTH SUMMER UNIVERSITY 2014

Four youngs of Athy and Grandvilliers started on Monday the 2 weeks stay at Pierrfonds. They are a part of a group (german, englaish, franch, italian and irish) of 29.
They'll visit Grandvilliers on next 15th where they'll meet our sponsors and have picnic.
Morning : shot at dawn film, afternoon : history about same subject.
Welcome to them !