Sixteen students from two Cleveland high schools who were on a visit to Achill returned home last week
Achill-Cleveland exchange a resounding successAnton McNultySO successful was the student exchange programme that saw 16 students from two Cleveland high schools travel to Achill last week that plans are already in motion to ensure a return visit to the Ohio city as soon as possible.
“I hope that within the next year we can open our homes to you as you opened yours to us,” said 17-year-old Drew Damm from St Ignatius High School in Cleveland on Saturday night, when expressing the thanks of the American group to their local hosts. His feelings summed up the overwhelming positivity felt by everyone who had been a part of the four-day adventure and, earlier, Terence Dever, the CEO of Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla (CFÁA), promised that his organisation would do everything possible to fulfill the desire of all the students to deepen the bonds of friendship that had developed between them.
“This has been a tremendous success and I can assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the seeds sown through this trip grow into something enduring between our two communities and that the local students who put so much into it will benefit from a return visit to Cleveland in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
The students from Walsh Jesuit and Ignatius high schools, and four accompanying teachers, arrived in Achill on Wednesday evening, where they were greeted by the Dookinella Pipe Band before being accorded a formal reception presided over by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley. Over the following four days the students – aged 16 to 18 – were treated to a myriad of activities, tours and entertainment sessions by local host students and adult volunteers.
Cycling on the Greenway on Friday afternoon was one of the highlights, as was the historical and cultural tour of the island given by local expert TomΡs Mac SheΡin. Attending the gala ball at the annual Féile Bia na Mara festival on Friday night, where the visiting students were taught how to waltz by their Achill counterparts, was also considered a significant high point by all, while surfing at Keel was another group activity that attracted much positive feedback.
In bidding farewell to the Cleveland students on Saturday night, Terence Dever also paid a warm tribute to the local students for their efforts.
“You are a credit to yourselves, your parents and your community and have proven yourselves to be wonderful ambassadors for Achill,” he said.
The Chairman of CFÁA, Pat Kilbane, said the first impressions made by the students on each other were very positive and this boded well for the future of the long-running links between Achill and Cleveland.
“Warm ties have always existed between our two communities and we have been the net beneficiaries of most of the activities and transactions that have taken place over the years. We thank you for that and are delighted that you have got to see the community to which Cleveland emigrants have contributed so much,” he said.
The students left Achill on Sunday afternoon, following a special Mass in Pollagh church – where, fittingly, a plaque commemorates the role played by the people of Cleveland in building it – in which the students from Achill and Cleveland participated in the liturgy, the offertory procession and the music.
WHAT THE STUDENTS THOUGHT
Stephen Sigmier (18), St Ignatius High School
“I was surprised when we came because everyone had put up American flags. We saw more than we do at home and we were just very warmly welcomed. I didn’t know that Achill had so many ties to Cleveland and that it was so important, but now that I’m here I see that the communities, even though they’re an ocean apart, are very closely linked due to emigration.”
Emma Klein (17), Walsh Jesuit
“I don’t have any Irish ancestry. I had the typical romantic view of Ireland – hills, sheep, sea cliffs. In reality it is really beautiful and I loved everything about it.
“One of the biggest differences here is that the students are into music and singing, which are not really that big at home. All the people here know the words of all the Irish songs and I just love that; it shows what a rich culture you have in Ireland.”
Brenna Haag (17), Walsh Jesuit
“Cleveland is a melting pot of different cultures; even in my are we have so many different cultures around. It’s interesting to think that as Americans we have so many different cultures in our blood but when you come over to Ireland they’re all just very Irish and it’s interesting to see how all the families are so close-knit.”
Morgan Wajda (17), Walsh Jesuit
“The students here have taught me to be thankful for what I have. What we take for granted they don’t and what they take for granted we don’t. I think they would like Cleveland a lot and it would be good to show them all the things we take for granted – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, the football museum and the zoo, because there don’t seem to be zoos in Ireland.”
Claire McNamara (16), Scoil Damhnait, Achill
“My grandfather was born in Cleveland and went to St Ignatius, so I’ve always been aware of the connection with Cleveland.
“When I heard about it [the exchange] I definitely wanted to take part, there was no doubt about it. I was signing my name up straight away. It’s been even better than I expected; we’ve made such great friends and we will definitely stay in contact.”
