Rowallane and Slieve Croob entertains Lalorlaye group

Rowallane and Slieve Croob entertains Lalorlaye group

21 June 2023

THE continued link between Ballynahinch, Drumaness and Spa with Lamorlaye in France – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary – continues to go from strength to strength.

A delegation from the leafy French town just north of Paris visited the district last week as guests of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group.

The visit was a great success and took place as the district basked in a glorious heatwave with the twinning group grateful for the help and support of many people, including host families, those who assisted with driving, catering and those who accompanied the visitors to some or all of the events. 

The French guests were hosted in Ballynahinch, Drumaness, Loughinisland, Newcastle and Killyleagh and were able to enjoy a unique experience with their host families, while coming together with the group for the comprehensive programme of activities. 

The group enjoyed a delicious meal in the Primrose Bar and Restaurant in Ballynahinch and the Mulberry Tree in Seaforde, with both restaurants showcasing local food, with Abi Campbell playing beautiful harp melodies in the Primrose. 

Kevin Smyth visited Lamorlaye in October 2022 and found the visit to SIAL, the International Food and Beverage Trade Fair, to be informative and worthwhile, with Michael Rooze suggesting a gardening focus for the visit and the local gardens could not have looked any better in the amazing summer sunshine. 

The first garden visit was to Castlewellan with the French visitors delighted to walk around the beautiful lake and Peace Maze, also marvelling at the splendour of the Annesley Walled Garden and arboretum. 

It was then off on a fantastic scenic coastal tour which included Killough, St John’s Point lighthouse and Ardglass harbour and golf club, with some guests expressing an interest in visiting the final resting place of Saint Patrick at Down Cathedral. 

The visiting delegation, committee members, hosts and local community groups, were treated to a visit to Downpatrick racecourse with a delicious summer picnic prepared by Wrap and Roll and a Prosecco reception. 

Throughout the afternoon the guests were entertained by traditional Irish music band Clann Ui Huiginn, with the highlight of the afternoon the parade of a Connemara Show Pony by Paula McCarthy. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council vice-chairman, Gareth Sharvin and Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews, supported the work of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group and attended the picnic hosted by the Board of the Downpatrick Racecourse and organised by course manager Richard Lyttle.

He visited Lamorlaye and Chantilly last October and it is hoped to establish links with the Downpatrick course and the one on Chantilly and also set up golfing exchanges between the Golf club du Lys in Lamorlaye and the Spa Golf Club. 

Patrice Bonnargent from Lecale Harvest had planned to arrange a food tasting of his gourmet food range but, unfortunately, he had a previous engagement. Patrice would like to export his local produce to the north of France and also visited the recent SIAL event.

Mairead Sweeney delivered an informative and enjoyable walking tour of Belfast for the French visitors helping them work up an appetite for a Belfast Bap in St George’s Market. 

Lesley Herron, Head Gardener at Montalto Estate, accompanied the group to the Lost Garden and provided a commentary about the garden trails and the estate.

Lesley was also in Lamorlaye last October visiting gardens in the town and in Chantilly and Paris. 

Some guests enjoyed a leisurely Sunday morning in Killyleagh and a healthy stroll around Delamont Country Park and a trip on the Strangford ferry. 

Gerty McCaugherty kindly offered some tickets to the twinning group’s musical guests for the Sunday afternoon Jazz session in the Orangerie at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel, with Lorraine Lawson opening her Kingfisher Arts and Crafts Gallery in Killyleagh to some of the French visitors. 

Twinning group committee member, Kathleen Clark, hosted a cocktail reception at her “home bar” in the Dromara Hills and also opened her cottage garden to the guests.

Also during the visit, Brigid McDonald opened her private garden near Drumaness, while Violet and Hugh Hawthorne showcased their secret garden and Dairy Lake House Bed and Breakfast, with guests able to enjoy as stroll around the garden after enjoying an Ulster Fry brunch before heading to Belfast International Airport. 

The twinning group would like to thank Mr Robert Burgess for his “unwavering support”

over the years and introduced the group to Mark Kent from Choice Housing, Ireland, who was able to provide generous funding.

In addition, the twinning group said it is important to recognise the continuing friendship and commitment to the International Partnership Agreement between Lamorlaye and the Newry, Mourne and Down area.