QUIMPER - Brittany, France

• 25th Anniversary - Twinning of Limerick and Quimper
• Visit to Limerick of Mederien Penhars, Quimper

Limerick City has long been at the forefront of establishing strong cultural and business links with peoples of other nations. In an effort to foster and encourage bonds of friendship and understanding between our city and other like-minded cities, Limerick City Council has established a Twinning Committee to nurture the existing relationship between Quimper and Limerick.

Limerick's first twin city lies a few miles inland from the sea in Brittany, France. Located in the heart of traditional Brittany and flanked by the Odet and Steir rivers, historically speaking Quimper is the capital of the Cornouaille region.

The old quarters of Quimper, with the cobbled streets, immediately suggest the medieval period. The fine half-timbered and corbelled houses line the main streets and squares. The quays of the Odet are dotted with hundreds of bridges and footbridges, thus it is a beautiful place to walk.

Quimper also has characteristic industries - potteries, weavers, lace and pancakes. The most famous of these is Faience pottery.

Faience is a tin-glazed earthenware and skilled craftsmen have produced its hand-painted decorations, using a paintbrush, since the 17th century.

There are many monuments built of the local Breton granite including Saint Corentin's Cathedral, the City Walls, Bishop's Residence, old houses and hotels, and the lively shopping area in the city centre. The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Corentin is renowned for its exceptional 15th century stained glass windows

Quimper is also a great cultural centre having a theatre, exhibitions, galleries, concerts and its recently renovated Fine Arts museum. The event of the year is the annual festival of Cornouaille, held during the third week of July, in which over 1,000 musicians and 3,000 dancers in Breton costumes participate.

Quimper has a population of 70,000 thus is similar in population size to Limerick City. Twinning committees in both cities have, as their objective, the strengthening and broadening of the bonds of friendship between both cities, in every possible way.

Cllr. Maria Byrne is Chair of the Quimper Twinning Committee.