Mayo Cleveland twinning celebrations begin with Civic Reception

AN honour and a privilege is how the founder of the Mayo Society of Cleveland, Gerry Quinn described the civic reception by Mayo County Council which was bestowed in his honour.

Mayo County Council hosted a civic reception in Áras an Chontae, Castlebar this afternoon in honour of Mr Quinn which kicked off a weekend of celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the twinning of Mayo County Council, Achill and the city of Cleveland.

The official twinning of Mayo County Council, Achill and Cleveland occurred in 2003 when the then Mayor of Cleveland, Jane Campbell travelled to Achill for the former twinning ceremony.

A delegation of over 30 people from Cleveland have travelled to Co Mayo for the celebrations which will include a 20th anniversary celebration dinner in Óstán Oileán Acla in Achill tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Mr Quinn is a native of Garracloon outside Ballina and one of the leading figures among the sizable Irish community in Cleveland. As well as being the founder of the Mayo Society of Cleveland, Mr Quinn was one of the founding members of Cleveland's Irish American Club in 1978.

Mr Quinn told the large attendance at the Civic Reception that when he left Mayo for the US in 1962 he did not imagine he would be given the honour of a civic reception which is the highest honour Mayo County Council can give.

He said he was honoured to be back in Mayo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the twinning of Mayo and Cleveland.

“Arriving in the city of Cleveland a world away from where I left behind never in my wildest dreams did I believe that one day I would be accorded an official civic reception in the headquarters of Mayo County Council right here in Castlebar. I am truly honoured and privileged to be amongst this distinguished company. Mayo Society of Cleveland together with this wonderful county of Mayo and it will always be my home will remain together for the success and greater good for all,” he said.

His weekly radio show, Gerry Quinn Irish Radio is 31 years on the air and has received the Achievement in Radio Award (AIR) and was named Best Ethnic Program in Northeast Ohio.

This Sunday, he will broadcast his radio show live from the gteic digital hub in Achill Sound at 3pm on Sunday, September 10.

Among the highlights of the weekend's celebrations will be the unveiling of a bench and plaque along the newly opened Greenway in Achill Sound and on Saturday evening, September 9,  a 20th anniversary celebration dinner will take place in Óstán Oileán Acla.

The links between Achill and Cleveland extend back to the nineteenth century when Achill people emigrated in huge numbers to Cleveland to find work. They largely settled in an area known as 'The Angle' and the population flourished around St Malachi Parish in the later part of the nineteenth century.

Mayor of Cleveland Justin Bibb visited Achill in May while on an official trade mission to Ireland and a representative from his office was present for the civic reception.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne was among the delegation and gifts were exchanged between Cuyahoga County and Mayo County Council. He spoke of the influence the Mayo and Achill emigrants had on the city of Cleveland and how this will be honoured during the 200 anniversary celebrations of the building of the Ohio canal.

The weekend's celebrations will continue tomorrow with the unveiling of a bench and plaque along the newly opened Greenway in Achill Sound and on Saturday evening, September 9, a 20th anniversary celebration dinner will take place in Óstán Oileán Acla.