Lawlor laughs off Wikipedia report that Wexford twinned with Ethiopian capital

The Mayor of Wexford Cllr. George Lawlor laughed heartily when he heard it.

'No way is Wexford twinned with Addis Ababa,' he said.

'I've never heard that. Someone must have added that in as a joke.'

'I know I haven't been on any official trips there anyway.'

For the record, Wexford has been officially twinned for over 30 years with Coueron in France and since last week, with Lugo in Italy. The town also has 'sister city' status with Annapolis in Maryland USA where the American Naval Academy associated with Commodore John Barry, the Wexford-born 'father' of the U.S. Navy, is located.

A number of councillors have visited Annapolis over the years.

The Coueron twinning which is still active, was initiated at a time when towns throughout Ireland were encouraged to embrace Europe by forging links with continental towns of a similar size.

Wexford Swimming Club has maintained strong connections with the French town.

Down through the years, there have been various tentative attempts under different Mayors to arrange other twinnings.

Many years ago, there was an aborted plan to twin with Achirelle in Sicily, with Bangor in County Down and more recently with a town in Wales.

On the Wexford Wikipedia page, readers are told the town is also twinned with Staten Island.

This is not as far-fetched as the Addis Ababa connection as Wexford did have an association with Staten Island through former Mayor, Dominic Kiernan.