Rotary Club welcomes Danish delight to the Déise

Waterford Rotary Club was delighted recently to welcome members of the Danish Slagelse / Antvorskov Rotary Club and members of the Harald Bluetooth Guild, to Waterford.

The trip strengthened ties between the two clubs, marking two years of effort by both organisations to build on their shared Viking heritage.

During the visit opportunities to collaborate with each other were explored with the aid of Danish Embassy support in Dublin and the Irish Embassy in Denmark. Waterford Rotary Club members were delighted to host the Danish delegation and have the opportunity to showcase Waterford’s wealth of history and Viking legacy in the city.

The visit culminated in a gala dinner in the Medieval Museum where special guests included the Metropolitan Mayor Councillor Jodie Power, Rosemary Ryan, Acting Curator and Manager, Waterford Treasures, and Eamonn McEneaney, former Museum Director, who shared little known insights on local Viking ancestors.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to get to know our Danish colleagues and look forward to strengthening relationships between the two clubs and regions in the future” said Brian Tynan, the current President of Rotary Waterford.

“Indeed the Waterford club intends on reciprocating the visit, with one to Denmark this coming September,” he added.

Both areas are steeped in Viking history, with a Viking ring castle situated in Trelleborg, just outside Slagelse, while Waterford offers its Viking Triangle and the Woodstown Viking site.

A key feature of the newly forged relationship between the two Rotary clubs is a mutual student Danish / Irish exchange. 

Last June marked the inaugural exchange, when Ben Leahy from St. Pauls Community College had the opportunity to visit Denmark for a week-long trip, while Alexander Noort Hansen, from Slagelse was immersed in Waterford life, culture and history. 

This year marks the second visit when De La Salle student Liam Nolan will depart for Denmark.