Höchstadt mayor visits Mayo Peace Park during first official Castlebar visit
German mayor and his wife lay wreaths at the Garden of Remembrance to honour those who died in conflict
The newly elected mayor of Castlebar’s German twin town of Höchstadt, Alexander Schulz, has paid his first official visit to Castlebar, including a visit to the Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance.
Mayor Schulz was accompanied by his wife, Heike, and German journalist Johanna Blum and her husband, Bernhard, who are regular visitors to the town. Members of the Mayo Peace Park committee and the Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women (ONE) were present to welcome the delegation.
Kevin McNally delivered a formal welcome in German, while former Mayo Person of the Year Michael Feeney also addressed the group.
Mr Feeney explained that the Peace Park was a place of reflection for the families of Mayo soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians who died in the world wars and other conflicts around the world, including those who lost their lives while serving on United Nations peacekeeping missions.
He emphasised that the park did not glorify war, but provided a place to remember those who had lost their lives.
Mayor Schulz responded by expressing his appreciation for the longstanding friendships fostered through the Castlebar–Höchstadt twinning relationship.
He said the warm welcome he had received during his visit reinforced his confidence in the future of the twinning arrangement. He also spoke of his delight at visiting Castlebar and learning more about the town’s rich history.
During the ceremony, Mayor Schulz and his wife laid wreaths in memory of those who died in the world wars. Seamus Bourke, representing the ONE, laid a wreath in remembrance of Mayo people who perished in conflicts at home and abroad.
The German and Irish national anthems were played, and the ceremony concluded with the poignant sounding of the Last Post.
The visit comes as Castlebar and Höchstadt continue to develop their cultural relationship, including a proposal by sculptor Cathal McCarthy for Friedensbaum (Peace Tree), a public artwork celebrating peace, friendship and shared European values.