May 18, 2013
Twin Towns
Horse Power
Equine industry connects sister cities across the pond
Cynthia Barnett | 7/29/2010
Many Florida communities have sister cities programs that foster cultural exchange and international good will. But Ocala’s “twin town” program with Newbridge, Ireland, also has a strong commercial theme that’s beginning to pay off.
Newbridge is in County Kildare, in central-east Ireland southwest of Dublin. Ocala officials first became interested in the town because “thoroughbreds are such a way of life there, just like here,” says Donna Delahunty, who coordinates Ocala’s program along with her husband, Irishman Richard Delahunty. But they soon saw many other parallels. Like Ocala, Newbridge relies on manufacturing; it is home to the famous Newbridge Silver plant. It also has significant natural amenities to protect and promote tourism.
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