Glynn residents praised for hospitality at Giro

In his letter, team leader Richard Wallace spoke of the reception which his colleagues and the cyclists had received when they passed through the village on May 10.

In Glynn, several hundred people lined the main thoroughfare to watch some of the world’s top riders in action for the second stage of the race.

The rugby club had activities for villagers to enjoy.

In a letter forwarded to Diane Hawthorne, principal of Glynn Primary School, Mr. Wallace said: “I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to everyone in Glynn who made our job so much more pleasantr and easier while we waited around the village for the Giro d’Italia to arrive.

“It was great to see the enthusiasm of all the residents and I am sure the memories will remain with you all for a long time.

“In particular, can you also pass on my thanks to those who decorated the village, to the community association for their Italian food and to the musician who helped to keep the crowd informed, to Larne Rugby Club which provided entertainment and help with stewarding and to the number of people who rescued and rounded up the lambs so that potential catastrophe was avoided, to everyone who worked to keep the roads safe and to anyone else who contributed in any way to the success of the day.

“My team were also so pleased with the reception they received from the locals and asked me to say how much they appreciated the hospitality that was offered to them from a number of different quarters.

“For many of them, it was their first visit to Glynn and you all certainly made our job much more enjoyable.”

A number of East Antrim politicians have already praised local people across the borough for their support of the Giro.

Larne mayor Councillor Maureen Morrow has congratulated all those who put many hours of their time and effort into organising and co-ordinating all the community events that accompanied the world-class event.

East AntrimMLA Alastair Ross described the crowds of spectators as “spectacular”.

Mr. Ross, who had worked with officials in Italy and Northern Ireland during the past two years to bring the event to the province,said: “It was fantastic to hear such glowing comments from senior RCS officials and riders about the crowds in Northern Ireland, none more so, than in East Antrim were people lined the streets and partied in pink despite the wind and rain.”

Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan has highlighted a need to “build a legacy on the back of this opportunity by putting money into promoting tourism in the Glens and East Antrun area.” He called on the Tourism Minister Arlene Foster to ensure there is a “lasting legacy”.