Picture LCC: (L-R) Nicola Burrini, Mayor of Nettuno and Cllr Jim Tenanty, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Ardee, sign the formal twinning agreement at a ceremony in Ardee Civic Offices in the presence of Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council
More than 20 years of friendship between Ardee and the Italian town of Nettuno has been reaffirmed with the formal renewal of their twinning agreement.
The milestone was marked by the recent visit of Nettuno Mayor Nicola Burrini and President of Nettuno City Council Roberto Alicandri to County Louth, where they joined local representatives to celebrate the long-standing partnership, which has fostered cultural exchange, friendship and cooperation between the two communities for more than two decades.
During the visit, a renewed declaration of twinning was formally signed at the Ardee Civic Offices, reaffirming the strong bond between the two towns and setting a clear vision for future collaboration. Mayor Burrini was also welcomed to County Hall, where he signed the Council’s visitors’ book and met with elected members and Council officials.
Picture LCC: Roberto Alicandri, President of Nettuno City Council; Cllr Andrea McKevitt, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Dundalk; Nicola Burrini, Mayor of Nettuno; Joanna Kelly, Director of Services with Louth County Council; Cllr Jim Tenanty, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Ardee; Bernie Woods, Director of Services with Louth County Council; and Cllr Kevin Callan, Chair of the Twinning Committee of Louth County Council pictured at County Hall, Dundalk
Like Ardee, Nettuno, which is located on the west coast of Italy near Rome, shares a vibrant civic life and a commitment to community development. The enduring relationship began in the early 2000s following initial visits from representatives of Nettuno to Ardee, which sparked a shared ambition to build a lasting partnership. Since then, the twinning has facilitated regular exchanges, with delegations travelling between Ireland and Italy to foster connections across culture, education and tourism.
Cllr Jim Tenanty, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Ardee, welcomed the renewal of the twinning agreement, stating: “This twinning arrangement has stood the test of time and continues to be a source of pride for Ardee and the wider county. Over the past 20 years, it has created lasting friendships and valuable exchanges between our communities. We were delighted to welcome Mayor Burrini and the Nettuno delegation to Ardee to reaffirm our shared commitment to partnership and cooperation for many years to come.”
Nicola Burrini, Mayor of Nettuno, also highlighted the significance of the occasion: “It was a great honour to be in Ardee to renew this important bond between our two communities. Our twinning is built on years of friendship, cultural exchange and mutual visits, and we have reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening these ties further. We look forward to continued cooperation, particularly in the areas of culture, education and tourism, and to building new opportunities for our citizens.”
Cllr Kevin Callan, Chair of the Twinning Committee of Louth County Council, emphasised the importance of the initiative at a local and county level: “The twinning between Nettuno and Ardee is an example of how international partnerships can enrich local communities. Through student exchanges, cultural programmes and civic engagement, this relationship has brought real benefits to people across Louth. The renewal of this agreement ensures that future generations will continue to build on this strong foundation and deepen connections between Ireland and Italy.”
