CLOPPENBURG - Germany

• Cloppenburg Exchange Group 2004
• Cloppenburg Gospel Choir 2003

An exchange programme between St. Munchin's Youth Exchange Group, Limerick and Landkreis Cloppenburg in Germany has operated since 1970.

St Munchin's Youth Exchange group based in Thomondgate , is a voluntary organisation with energetic leaders, which provides interesting programmes of activity for the participating young people. This exchange was designed to foster friendships between the communities in Limerick and Cloppenburg. Through this program, young people from both communities have participated in the annual exchange, which involves a programme of cultural events sports activities and visits to places of historic interest over a 2-week period. Local families host the young people involved. Approximately 800 young people have participated in the programme to date and strong relationships have been established.

In May 2003 Councillor John Cronin who was involved in the exchange programme since the early 1970s visited Cloppenburg as Mayor where he was received by Hans Eveslage, Landrat, Cloppenburg and the German Irish Committee. In April 2003, a German Choir comprising members from the Cloppenburg area gave a performance in City Hall and in St. Munchin's Church, Thomondgate.