Members of Cork County Council, along with members of the Dáil and Seanad, locals and visitors from Newport, attended a function at The White House Kinsale last night to mark the 20th anniversary of the Twinning between Kinsale and Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
To celebrate the anniversary and 20 years of friendship between the two towns, The White House unveiled their new Whiskey Cabinet, a tipple favoured by many of our visitors from Newport, according to Michael Frawley Jnr of The White House.
A true collaboration of local craftspeople, the cabinet was designed by Rob Jacob and crafted by Fachtna O’Mahony. Ronan Daly of Kinsale Crystal created and cut the decanter and tumblers and finally, the most important piece of the puzzle, the whiskey comes from Blacks Brewery & Distillery.
Keys to the Cabinet will be provided to selected Newporters, who have provided outstanding friendship to Kinsale through the years and who were in attendance last night. Mr. Rick O’Neill, as well as opening his heart, has on many occasions, opened his home to visitors from Kinsale. Paul and Janet Shea have also gone beyond the call of duty to take wonderful care of students and others travelling to the US for holidays, work experience, etc..
A third key was presented to John Twomey, who was instrumental in establishing the twinning all those years ago and who has maintained the connection between the two towns ensuring the continuation of the great relationship between the two.
What a lovely way to celebrate the twinning between Kinsale and Newport, Rhode Island, made all the more special by the fact that all local trades and craftspeople brought it to fruition.
Well done to the Frawley family, no doubt many a good night will be had with the contents of the new whiskey cabinet!

Pictured: Michael Frawley Sr., The White House; Rick O’Neill, Newport Twinning Committee; John Twomey, Kinsale Twinning Committee; Michael Frawley Jr., The White House; Deputy Margaret Murphy O’Mahony TD and Paul Shea, Newport Twinning Committee pictured at the official unveiling of a new Whiskey Cabinet in The Fifth Ward Bar at The White House Kinsale to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Twinning of Kinsale and Newport, Rhode Island.
Picture. John Allen