DONEGAL’S influence on Rudolstadt continues to blossom with two more Letterkenny men now putting down roots there.
Eighteen-year-old Luca Villamajna and Cian Mulligan, who is 19, moved to the town on a whim five months ago. Since then they have secured accommodation, found themselves jobs and begun making plans for a future in Germany.
Rudolstadt has been twinned with Letterkenny since 2018 following discussions between its Mayor Jörg Reichl, Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh and another Letterkenny man, Karol Kerrane.
Along with his wife Selena, Karol has lived in Rudolstadt for over a decade and together they run the hugely popular Letterkenny Irish Pub. It has become a magnet for locals keen to enjoy Irish hospitality, culture and music.
Luca and Cian first visited Germany two years ago as part of an exchange programme through their school, St Eunan’s College.
They were so taken by Rudolstadt that they decided to return there to live.
“I mentioned it in transition year to Luca, do you want to go to college in Germany. And that’s how it started really,” said Cullion Road man Cian.
Prior to packing their bags, Cian did have a preliminary job offer of a lifeguard. Other than that though it was all about taking a chance.
“We knew a good few people from the exchange and we had a rough idea of the lay of the land. We knew Karol too who owns the pub. But we didn’t really have a plan, no accommodation, no job,” revealed Trentagh native Luca.
Five months on though and Cian is working in the local swimming pool while Luca has secured two jobs – in a car dealership and in Letterkenny Irish Pub.
The short term plan is to stay in Rudolstadt. Later this year though they hope to go to college in Germany, Luca to study neuroscience in Leipzig and Cian to Munich to study mechanical engineering.
Rudolstadt does St Patrick’s Day in style and the Letterkenny Irish Pub was packed solid for the town’s three-night festival. Unfortunately for Luca and Cian they had to watch it from a distance after contracting Covid.
Letterkenny Irish pub owned by husband and wife Karol Kerrane and Selena Mowat.
“We were shattered because we were really looking forward to it. But it happens. With me working in a pub and Cian a lifeguard, it was probably going to happen at some stage,” according to Luca.
Since moving the pair have been working hard on their spoken German. They both studied the language at St Eunan’s under teacher Mary Burke. Another big help was Kevin Bowdren who organised the initial exchange visit.
“Kevin is a fantastic man and his German is excellent. He planned the whole exchange and got funding for it,” they said.
Respective mums and dads, Gian and Caroline Villamajna and Des Mulligan and Ann Matthewson, haven’t made the journey yet although that is likely to be rectified in the not too distant future.
For the time being Luca and Cian are focused on finding their feet and enjoying their new lives.
“Since we’ve arrived we’ve been in one setting that was like the Pulse. It’s not really a party town but it is beautiful and quiet and the people are lovely.”
Both men say they owe a debt of gratitude to Karol Kerrane, someone who has enhanced greatly his adopted town.
“We couldn’t make any of this happen without him,” said the friends.
“He get us set up, introduced us to new people. He’s made it feel like home.”
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