A delegation led by Galway City Council has returned from a successful three-day visit to Lorient, France marking the 50th anniversary of the Galway-Lorient Twinning. The milestone visit which took place from 20-23 March 2025 reinforced the strong cultural, economic, and maritime ties between the two cities, highlighting their shared commitment to sustainability, education, and innovation.
Since 1975, Galway and Lorient have enjoyed a rich and enduring partnership, built on a foundation of cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and maritime heritage. This anniversary visit provided a platform to celebrate past achievements while fostering new opportunities for cooperation in business, research, educational exchanges and community engagement.
Led by the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Peter Keane, the delegation included representatives from Galway City Council, Galway Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Portershed, Galway Harbour Company and the Galway Lorient Twinning Committee. The visit featured high-level discussions, site visits, and cultural events that underscored the deep ties between both cities.
Over the course of the three-day visit, the delegation visited key maritime and renewable energy sites, including Solid Sail, an innovative wind propulsion project, and Bretagne Power Ocean, an offshore wind initiative. Discussions with Audelor, a regional economic development agency to explore potential collaboration in business innovation and entrepreneurship. Meetings with Université Bretagne Sud’s hydrogen research department and a presentation at Ifremer, France’s national ocean research institute, highlighted ongoing cooperation with the Marine Institute in Galway, including the Tom Crean Project, a pioneering deep-sea research initiative.
The delegation visited a local secondary school collège Auguste Brizeux de Lorient to discuss potential exchanges to Galway, and participated in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Lorient, which included an exhibition on 50 Years of Twinning and an Irish Celtic Craft showcase highlighted the cultural ties between the cities. A formal reception took place in Lorient honouring the 50-year partnership, with speeches from Mayor Keane and Lorient officials. Both cities reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, including tourism, business development, education and environmental sustainability.
A delegation also met with the Lorient Cultural Executive at the Municipal Gallery to discuss programmes, operations and to view the exhibition Le Cinéma de Mon Pere by Guy Brunet.
Speaking about the visit, Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane stated, "This anniversary is not just about celebrating the past 50 years - it is about building on our shared strengths for the future. From maritime innovation to cultural heritage, Galway and Lorient will continue to work together for mutual growth and collaboration."
As part of the ongoing collaboration, Lorient’s delegation will visit Galway from 15-18 May 2025 during the Brittany Fest Galway celebrations. The upcoming visit will further strengthen ties in economic development, education, and cultural exchange.
Mayor Keane also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming visit, stating,"We look forward to welcoming our friends from Lorient to Galway in May, where we will continue the spirit of exchange and cooperation. The visit will allow us to showcase Galway’s strengths in business, culture, and sustainability while deepening our connections with our twin city. This is a relationship built on mutual respect and shared ambitions, and we are excited to see it grow even further in the years ahead."
Galway City Council thanks all partners and stakeholders involved in this landmark visit and looks forward to welcoming Lorient’s representatives to Galway in May.
