Ballinrobe Lithuanian links strengthened by Town Twinning ceremony

The strong links between Ballinrobe and Lithuania will be boosted still more this month, when a delegation from the south Mayo town and Mayo County Council visits the Baltic country to initiate a Town Twinning partnership.

The first formal steps in the twinning of Ballinrobe and the town of Jonava will take place at a festival in the Lithuanian town on June 21st.

Ballinrobe and Lithuania have been linked since 1935, when Lithuanian pilot Felix Waitkus made an emergency landing just outside Ballinrobe. He was the only pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic in that year, and only the sixth ever.

In recent years, the influx of Lithuanians to Ireland has brought renewed interest in Waitkus’ story, and for the past three years Ballinrobe has hosted Ireland’s Lithuanian community for an annual festival.

“Ballinrobe has become the unofficial hub for Ireland’s Lithuanian community. The Lithuanian Ambassador to Ireland, and some Government Ministers from Lithuania, have all visited Ballinrobe for official functions, including the 2007 unveiling of a permanent memorial to Felix Waitkus in the town,” explained David Hall of Ballinrobe Tourism Committee.

David and Patsy Murphy – another tireless promoter of the Ballinrobe-Lithuanian relationship – will visit the town of Jonava for a formal ceremony on June 21st. “This is the first step in the twinning process, and the second will be taken at our Fly Mayo Festival in Ballinrobe on September 24th, 25th, and 26th,” said Patsy.

“The Fly Mayo Festival will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Felix Waitkus’ flight, and it promises to be a huge occasion in Ballinrobe. We are expecting about 600 Lithuanians to visit the town, including the Ambassador to Ireland and some representatives of the Lithuanian Government.”

The June 21st visit will also include a delegation from Mayo County Council, who have been strong supporters of the Ballinrobe-Lithuanian link. This will include local Councillors Michael Burke, Damien Ryan, Patsy O’Brien, and Richard Finn.

Some members of Ballinrobe’s Lithuanian community will also travel for the ceremony.

A website to mark the relationship is currently being constructed.

Some facts about Jonava

  • It is the ninth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 35,000 people
  • It is located in Central Lithuania at co-ordinates 55° 05′ N / 24° 17′ E
  • Popular sports there include football, basketball, and volleyball
  • The town is built on both banks of the Vilia River, along the Libau-Rumanian rail line
  • In 1905, almost the entire town burned down. The buildings were soon reconstructed from brick and stucco
  • It is believed Ireland has a Lithuanian community of approximately 150,000 people

Jonava links

Jonava
Jonavo’s Museum
www.lokespeda.lt
Jonava District Municipality