Cavan and Kürnach renew friendship pact

County Cavan and the German Municipality of Kürnach have renewed their friendship pact, an affirmation of a historic relationship that dates back to the 7th century.

The links between Cavan and Kürnach – and its neighbouring city Würzburg – date back over 1,300 years, when Saint Kilian, a native of Mullagh County Cavan, travelled to the Franconia region of Germany where he converted the local population to Christianity. He was martyred in 689 but is still revered in the area to this day. In 2024, his relics returned to Cavan for a week of celebrations of his legacy, in what was a historic first and an example of collaboration between the two regions.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley, welcoming his counterpart, Bürgermeister (Lord Mayor) René Wohlfart and the 44-strong delegation, which also included Cavan native and Kürnach Councillor Colette Herrmann, said, “It is my great honour to welcome our friends from Kürnach back to Cavan. The return of St Kilian’s relics and those of his companions, Saints Totnan and Kolonat, marked a highpoint in friendly relations between Cavan and Kürnach and Würzburg, and I am pleased that we have continued to visit each other, and share our cultures, ideas, faiths, values, and friendships. In renewing this Friendship Pact, first signed in 2016, we are ensuring that this friendship will endure and grow for many years to come”.

1st Bürgermeister of Kürnach, René Wohlfart, said, “It was a great pleasure for me as the Lord Mayor of Kürnach being here again with you, our friends for many years. For me it feels like coming home! Thank you for the invitation, the time, and the commitment to supporting our relationship over the years. It is a special friendship and needs special treatment, therefore it’s good and necessary to declare the renewal by signing the friendship pact”.

The signing took place at the Council Chamber, Courthouse, Cavan on Thursday, 4th September, where the group was welcomed by Cathaoirleach, Cllr Feeley, Chief Executive Eoin Doyle, elected members, and members of the Senior Management Team. During their visit to County Cavan, the delegation from Kürnach also visited St Kilian’s Heritage Centre, where they learned about the life of Cavan’s intrepid missionary saint, and Cavan County Museum, where they visited the newly re-opened and renovated WWI Trench Experience.

Pictured at the signing of a renewed Friendship Pact between County Cavan and the German Municipality of Kürnach are (back row, left to right) Cllr Noel Connell; Cllr Clifford Kelly; Colette Herrmann, Kürnach Municipal Council; Cllr Niall Smith; Cllr Winston Bennett; Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle; Cllr Shane P O’Reilly; Manfred Dülk, Kürnach Municipal Council; Cllr Trevor Smith; Cllr Philip Brady; Matthias Heinrich, Kürnach Municipal Council. Front row, left to right: Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley and Bürgermeister (1st Lord Mayor) of Kürnach, René Wohlfart. PHOTO: Adrian Donohoe.
Pictured at the signing of a renewed Friendship Pact between County Cavan and the German Municipality of Kürnach are (back row, left to right) Cllr Noel Connell; Cllr Clifford Kelly; Colette Herrmann, Kürnach Municipal Council; Cllr Niall Smith; Cllr Winston Bennett; Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle; Cllr Shane P O’Reilly; Manfred Dülk, Kürnach Municipal Council; Cllr Trevor Smith; Cllr Philip Brady; Matthias Heinrich, Kürnach Municipal Council. Front row, left to right: Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley and Bürgermeister (1st Lord Mayor) of Kürnach, René Wohlfart. PHOTO: Adrian Donohoe.