Trim singers to bring sounds of Boyne Valley to Boyne City
FORTY local schoolchildren are preparing to travel to America for a special visit that’s part of a plan to officially twin the Boyne Valley with Boyne City in Michigan.
Award-winning music group Gluais from Scoil Mhuire, Trim are taking part in an initiative that will see the first regional twinning for Ireland come to fruition. Gerry Meade who has been involved in the initiative since its inception explains how the idea took off.
“The twinning idea of uniting both Boyne Valleys came about four years ago when some visitors from there were touring here and explained that they were from a place near Boyne City. Boyne City was founded by Irish immigrant John Miller in the early 19th century. The idea was born and both regions are looking forward to coming together considering that there is such an important association with their founding father naming the settlement and local river after his own river Boyne back in Ireland.”
Last year, Trim Tourism Network received a visiting delegation to the town from a visiting school group of singers and dancers from the American Boyne Valley who presented a twinning proposal on behalf of the Boyne City and Boyne Valley authorities.
Fundraising efforts have been underway with €90,000 needed to fly the forty schoolchildren to America for the event. Gluais, a voluntary run group and has been organising a number of events this year in Trim in order to finance the trip.
“A donation scheme has been set up for anyone who wishes to contribute or help further sponsor this historic trip to support the very talented children on such an important occasion and this is an excellent promotional opportunity for businesses to be associated with as well if they would like to get involved,” commented a spokesperson for the initiative.
All the primary schools along the river Boyne are being asked for an A4 image of the river created by a pupil from each school which will be displayed during the twinning event and then presented to the mayor in a portfolio to be on view permanently at their city hall.
Gluais will be also be performing soon at a fundraising concert for the trip on the evening of Sunday 12th May in the Knightsbrook Hotel, as part of teh 'Dear Dot' celebrations for Courtney Kennedy and Sydney Kennedy Lawford. Tickets are available at the hotel reception and the Stockhouse restaurant.
For further information visit www.facebook.com/twinboynevalleys or contact Gluais on 086 0611061.