Laois town to celebrate its French connection

A delegation from France will visit Portarlington to further strengthen its historic bonds when they sign a town twinning agreement this weekend. 

French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E  Vincent Guérend and the Mayor of the French town of Redessan in the South of France, Mme. Fabienne Richard-Trinquier will both be in Portarlington for the event.  

In around 1690 a large group of French Huguenots came to Portarlington to avoid religious persecution in France. They settled in the newly established town and built houses and had a vibrant community in the area.

As a result, Port has a unique connection with France. At one time more French was spoken on the streets than Irish or English. Some direct descendants are still living in Portarlington.

This year a committee was formed with the intention of twinning with a French town to have closer links with the location where many of these original people came from.

After a meeting with the French Ambassador, it was suggested to Cathal Berry TD that the town of Redessan in the South of France would be an ideal match.

Contact was made and the first delegation of representatives of Redessan are coming to visit Portarlington for a three day stay beginning this Thursday, July 13. The delegation consists of eight people who will stay in the houses of local families. One of the guests is the Mayor of Redessan, Mme. Fabienne Richard-Trinquier.

Chair of the Portarlington Committee, Siobhan Higgins said she believes the French Ambassador had suggested Redessan as it’s where some of Portlarlington’s original Huguenot families had arrived from while escaping religious persecution in their native France. 

Ms Higgins said the French delegation will be brought to places of historical significance during their visit. She said Portarlington still has some of the original buildings and locals have surnames which are associated with the Huguenots.  

“It is nice to keep up the French connection,” she said.

It’s hoped that by twinning Portarlington and Redessan those historic bonds will become even stronger and result in increased connection and see student exchanges between the historically linked areas. Ms Higgins said she hoped that in the future a delegation from Portarlington could go to Redessan.  

The visit of the French delegation will culminate in the signing of a charter of agreement in Solas Eco Garden Centre in Portarlington on Saturday, July 15 at 1 pm. The French Ambassador and his wife will attend on the day. 

Solas Eco Garden Centre is organising a weekend of activities to celebrate French culture and heritage.

The French delegation will visit Portarlington's French Church, Emo Court, Derryounce and learn about the history and heritage of Portarlington and its environs.

It is hoped to forge cultural, educational, business and sporting links with Redessan in the coming years. The visitors will also be able celebrate Bastille Day in Portarlington on Friday, July 14.

Dr Cathal Berry TD said he was @delighted to be welcoming the French Ambassador, H.E Vincent Guérend, the Mayor of Redessan, Mme. Fabienne Richard-Trinquier and the accompanying Redessan delegation to Portalington this weekend. We are looking forward to officially twinning Portarlington and Redessan in the South of France. We are proud of our strong Huguenot history here in Portarlington, so it is a fantastic opportunity to continue to build our unique French connections.

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Throughout the visit, it will be great to showcase all we have to offer in Portarlington such as the French Church and other local Huguenot architecture within the town, Emo Court, Derryounce and the deep history and heritage of Portarlington with the French visitors," he said. 

The twinning will have a really positive impact from an educational, cultural, heritage, sporting and business links point of view for the people of Portarlington and the surrounding areas,” added Deputy Berry.  

He thanked Solas Eco Garden Centre for hosting the main event on Saturday, July 15, where they will co-sign the twinning charter in the presence of the Ambassador and Delegation. The community is invited to come and enjoy the various activities planned on the day.