CONTACT: Cassandra Earle (401) 845-9112
Communications Director/Discover Newport
CEarle@discovernewport.org
Newport, Rhode Island Celebrates 25 Years
as Sister City with Kinsale, Ireland
Newport (R.I.) January 22, 2024 – Newport’s relationship with Kinsale, Ireland celebrates 25 years of sisterhood in 2024. Known as the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, Kinsale became a ‘twinning city’ of Newport in 1999. Much like The Classic Coast here in Newport, this quintessential Irish city on the southern coast of County Cork boasts renowned restaurants, brightly painted village, rich military history, charming shops and a captivating harbor.
“This Twinning/Sister City relationship has been wonderful for the entire Kinsale Community. Businesses, sports organizations, schools, cultural attractions, the culinary scene and community have embraced this twinning fully,” stated, John Twomey, Chairmen of the Kinsale, Ireland Twinning Committee. “The people of Kinsale and Newport equally feel at home in their visits to the others City. Great friendships, and even a marriage or two have developed from The Twinning. We now look forward to the next 25 years,” added Twomey.
The twinning of the two cities was initiated by the late Paul Crowley, a RI state representative, local restauranteur, and Chairmen of the tourism bureau formerly known as the Newport County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, (now known as Discover Newport), in conjunction with Rick O’Neill, and David Kerins of Newport.
Nurtured by Newport’s own Irish community and heritage, the two cities quickly formed a strong bond that included many cultural exchanges, from sharing cuisines during the Annual Kinsale Festival of Fine Food, to forming relationships between the harbor masters, fire, and police departments, educational institutions, all who learned from each other’s infrastructure progress in their home city.
“Over the last 25 years, the relationship with Kinsale has been a true partnership, and one that has created lifelong friendships with many of our hospitality partners. We are honored to be celebrating 25 years of sisterhood with Kinsale and look forward to many more years to come,” stated Rick O’Neill, head of the Twinning Committee in Newport, Rhode Island.
Along with Kinsale, Newport has five other sister cities: Shimoda, Japan; Imperia, Italy; Ponta Delgada, the Azores; Skiathos, Greece; and St. John, New Brunswick Canada.
ABOUT DISCOVER NEWPORT
Discover Newport is the official destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to promoting the City of Newport and the eight surrounding coastal townships in Newport and Bristol counties, Rhode Island. These include Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Warren. As a non-profit organization, Discover Newport partners with stakeholders throughout our tourism and hospitality industry to market the region as a premier destination for business and leisure travel.
###
