Douglas City Council to advance bid to twin with Dublin

Majority of council vote to submit formal application

A formal application is to be submitted in an attempt to twin the Island's capital city with Dublin.

Douglas City Council voted in favour of the move at its monthly meeting held earlier today (Wednesday 10 July).

It means initial discussions between the two councils will continue, and potential benefits and costs will be determined.

Twinning generally promotes cultural and commercial ties between towns and cities, and it's hoped a partnership with Dublin City Council would provide 'opportunities for mutual learning; the potential for education, cultural, and sporting exchanges; the potential for commercial benefits for Douglas-based businesses; and greater numbers of visitors from Dublin and Ireland'. 

Additionally, a twinning or other partnership is said to have the potential for benefitting not just Douglas as the Island’s capital, but 'the Isle of Man as a whole'.

A formal Twinning Agreement application will now be submitted to Dublin City Council, and relevant staff in Ireland will be consulted, to provide feedback and support.

Douglas is currently twinned with Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

That relationship was officially recognised at a ceremony in Douglas town hall on 24 November 2006.