Harbour Grace and Carbonear teaming up to host Irish visitors

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Carbonear and Harbour Grace are teaming up to host a delegation from Ireland this fall and are putting out a call for volunteers to help with the duties.
The matter was raised at Harbour Grace council April 14 when the agenda turned to a letter from Carbonear councillor Danielle Doyle.
Doyle wrote that volunteers are needed to sit on a committee to host the Irish visitors who will be coming to the area in September as part of an exchange program.
It was noted by Mayor Don Coombs and councillor Gordon Stone that both Harbour Grace and Carbonear have separately hosted Irish visitors from this exchange program in the past. Doyle’s request would see volunteers from both communities comprising the host committee for the first time.
Coombs suggested that council post Doyle’s request on the Town’s website to see if anyone in the community, whether members of existing committees or other residents, responds with an interest in volunteering.
The mayor added that council representatives can later meet with Carbonear to discuss the joint hosting effort.
“It’s very interesting in terms of the opportunity,” agreed Councillor Stone, “but it’s also a lot of detail and a lot of volunteerism needed to make it a success.”
Councillor Peter Yetman asked whether the visiting Irish folk are tourists or students, noting that Doyle, who is a teacher at Carbonear Collegiate, has a lot to do with international students. Coombs clarified the visitors will be adults.
“It’d be nice if the two communities could host because both communities got a lot to offer jointly,” Coombs said, citing the area’s culture, amenities, and opportunities.
“It’s an adult exchange, and it’s based on sharing your home, and going to Ireland and sharing their home,” Stone said.
“You’ll have no problem for a Newfoundlander wanting to go over to Ireland!” Mayor Coombs said, garnering laughter from the other council members.