County Cavan and Kürnach in Germany 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, welcomed his counterpart, Bürgermeister René Wohlfart and the 44-strong delegation, which also included Cavan native and Kürnach Councillor Colette Herrmann.
Cllr Feeley 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". Cllr Shane P O'Reilly says it is wonderful to have this important connection with the area and Kürnach.
