20 March 2015

Simon Harris TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced that OPW will offer guided tours in French at Kilkenny Castle today.

Speaking this morning, Minister Harris said:  "I am very pleased to announce that my office, the OPW, will celebrate International Francophonie Day at Kilkenny Castle.  Journée internationale de la Francophonie celebrates the French language and Francophone culture annually and it is fitting that we join in these celebrations, along with the 77 member states in the International Organisation of La Francophonie".

International Francophonie Day celebrates the signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger on 20 March 1970.  

The Minister concluded: "I would like to invite French speakers to attend the guided tours and to enjoy all that the iconic surroundings of Kilkenny Castle have to offer".

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For further information or if you wish to interview Minister of State Harris please phone Colette Davis (Press Officer) at 087 947 5552 or  email opwpressoffice@opw.ie

Notes to Editors:

To celebrate International Francophonie Day, Kilkenny Castle will offer free guided tours in French on Friday 20 March at 12.00 and 3.30pm.

Pour célébrer la Journée Mondiale de la Francophonie, le Château de Kilkenny offrira des visites guidées gratuite en Français le Vendredi 20 Mars à 12:00 et à 15:30.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited. 

Réservation est essentielle en raison du nombre de places limité.