A special cultural event celebrating the growing friendship between Ireland and Romania will take place in Kilkenny on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, bringing together local authorities, diplomats, artists, and members of the Romanian community for an afternoon of culture, literature, music, and theatre.
Organized by the Twilight Community Group, “Kilkenny’s Romanian Connections” will be hosted at The Set Theatre, Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny, beginning at 2:30 PM.
The event highlights the strong cultural and community ties between Romania and County Kilkenny, particularly within the framework of the European Union Presidency cultural partnership programme, which pairs EU member states with Irish counties.
The programme will feature official addresses from representatives of local government and the Romanian diplomatic mission in Ireland, including: Mary Hilda Cavanagh Chairperson of Kilkenny County Council, John Coonan, Mayor of Kilkenny and Andrew McGuinness, Chairperson of the Southern Assembly . The attendance will also hear from H E Laurențiu-Mihai Ștefan, Romanian Ambassador to Ireland
The afternoon will also include a presentation of the celebrated travel book “Transylvania and Beyond” by acclaimed Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy, an exhibition of sculpture and painting by Valeriu Cazacevski, pottery by Oana Alexandra, flowers by Daniela Bogdan, cakes by Cindarella and presented by Stefan J Doyle, alongside speeches from community representatives.
Music
Guests will also enjoy a musical performance by Irish band “Trei Prieteni” followed by a theatre production of “Emigranții” (The Immigrants), an extraordinary play exploring migration, identity, and human connection.
The event is open to invited guests, members of the Romanian community, local residents, and cultural supporters.
Good wishes
Mr. Martin Brennan, the founder of Twilight Community Group speaking before the event said:
“As I retire from the Twilight Community Group to focus on my health and family, I look back with pride at the inclusive, international network we have built since 2014. I am deeply grateful to our Romanian attaché, Mr. Liviu Iftime, for strengthening our European ties. I step away knowing that with Nicoleta Chiorean as Chairperson, our ethos of ‘Stronger Together’ will lead this organization to even greater heights.”
Ahead of the event, organizer Liviu Iftime said: “This event is an opportunity to celebrate friendship, cultural exchange, and the important contribution and opening of the Romanian community to life in Kilkenny and Ireland. We hope it will strengthen the bonds between our communities and create lasting cultural connections.
