Councillor Michael Loftus shares a selfie from the Albany parade where the Ballina and Pittsfield representatives marched together.

US city celebrates 25th anniversary of twinning with north Mayo town

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THE 25th anniversary of the twinning of Ballina and its sister city, Pittsfield, has been celebrated.

A delegation including Tom Gilligan, director of services, Mayo County Council, and Councillor Michael Loftus visited the US for the occasion.

The Ballina representatives were greeted by the Sister City committee members on arrival and were later guests at a civic reception with Mayor Tyer in the Pittsfield Council Chamber.

They marched in the Albany St. Patrick's parade with the Pittsfield committee and attended the Irish American Club dinner where John Bresnahan was honoured as Irish Person of the Year.

Their itinerary also saw them attending the 40 Shades of Green Art Show at the Liechtenstein Culture Art Centre.

Supporting Ballina 2023 with Massachusetts Congress Women Patricia Farley Bouvier were Councillor Michael Loftus, Tom Gilligan and Willie Nolan on their way to the Albany parade.

Councillor Loftus, on his social media, spoke about the friendships made and renewed, saying: “It was lovely to meet so many of the people of Pittsfield that I had met in 2016 and renew our friendship.”

He also confirmed that more than 60 people will be travelling from Pittsfield to Ballina to celebrate Ballina 2023 in July.

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