Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
Celebrating 17 years — 2009-2026
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
Celebrating 17 years — 2009-2026
happy 17th anniversary, chandler-tullamore sister cities
Congratulations to Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities who are now celebrating 17 years of twinning! Beginning with the connection with Thomas Bracken's The Bracken School of Irish Dance, and over the past 17 years, Chandler and Tullamore have celebrated their Sister City relationship. Successes have included several business exchanges at the private and public levels over the years; the publication of a collaborative cookbook, “A Desert Fare,” between Sacred Heart School in Tullamore and Seton Catholic Preparatory in Chandler; many fund-raising events to support Student Ambassador Exchanges since 2013; participation in the SCI Young Artists and Authors Showcase - resulting in 10 years of Grand Prize Winners at the national level; and CTSC hosting the 2013 Annual Arizona Sister Cities Conference. Cultural/Arts exchanges occurred in 2017 with the Postcard Exchange, and most recently the "Ceangal/Connections" exhibition, a collaboration between professional artists, photographers, authors and videographers in both cities showing our sameness and uniqueness. The Ceangal collaboration was recognized by Sister Cities International as the 2025 winner of the Innovation in Arts and Culture Award for population 100,001-300,000!
The original Chandler Sister Cities Committee, even in its informal stages, had long felt that Tullamore and Chandler would be a good “fit” for a Sister City relationship. Thomas Bracken, native of Tullamore and resident of Chandler, owned the Bracken School of Irish Dance, and hosted the Annual Feis in the Desert Dance Festival, which had been part of the Chandler cultural scene since its early days in the mid-‘90s. With over 400 Irish step-dancers from the United States, Canada and overseas, the event attracted over a 1,000 visitors to Chandler, and was highlighted as an integral part of Chandler’s Multi-Cultural Festival. As that event grew, so did the passion and desire to take our love of Irish culture and opportunities for our Chandler community one step further. Out of a handful of passionate individuals, linked by their deeply-rooted Irish heritage, came a sophisticated structure made up of specialized planning teams to bring our Sister City project to life.
Our efforts to “twin” the two cities began in economic times of uncertainty. But we believed, the City of Chandler believed, the Town of Tullamore believed, that this “twinning” would be a good investment for both communities. A Sister City relationship with Tullamore provides opportunities for officials and citizens to experience and explore Irish culture through long-term community partnerships. In addition, over three-fourths of the 400-500 Intel workers imported to work at the Chandler fabrication plant lived in Chandler from 2011-2013, creating an unexpected boon to the local economy. The formation of Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities began in 2007, and over two years the affiliations explored the possible connections and benefits to both communities. In June 2008, a formal presentation was made to the City of Chandler, which was approved. Chandler and Tullamore officially signed the Proclamation declaring a "Sister Cities" status on February 9, 2009 at Downtown Chandler's Murphy's Law Irish Pub. Our Mission Statement, “to cultivate and maintain a strong reciprocal relationship between the City of Chandler, Arizona, and Tullamore, Ireland, to encourage cultural understanding, community involvement, economic development, and educational exchanges,” encompasses the wishes of the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities (CTSC), a non-profit organization, to bring to fruition the first Sister City relationship to the City of Chandler. We are official members of Sister Cities International (SCI) and the non-profit Arizona Sister Cities.
We continue to explore opportunities and ways to share education, culture diversity, history and economic development. We give thanks to our many partners, sponsorships, members, and volunteers over the years! We are excited to experience the future relationships and where they might lead us!
young artists & authors showcase 2026
2026 Theme: Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow
This year’s theme invites young artists and authors to raise their voices during a historic moment as the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, and Sister Cities International honors 70 years of building global friendships and cultural understanding. It reflects the ongoing journey from the country’s founding ideals toward a more interconnected, peaceful world.
About Us
Chandler, Arizona
Chandler is located in the East Valley, in the southeast part of the Greater Phoenix area. It was named for a veterinarian, Dr. A. J. Chandler, who settled in the area in 1891. The town of Chandler began in 1912, with the opening of the Hotel San Marcos in 1913. In 1920 the Town of Chandler incorporated, with Dr. Chandler as its first Mayor. The City of Chandler has worked diligently to make the downtown area a dining and entertainment destination, and their efforts are paying off as boutique shops, art spaces and eclectic cafes have steadily increased their presence. The downtown storefronts have been restored to a modern version of their original turn-of-the-century look, and the plaza has been redesigned and named after the City's founder.
Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
Located in the Midlands of Ireland, Tullamore boasts a unique geographic location. The Slieve Bloom Mountains lie to the south, while north of the town are the Arden Hills, a gravel ridge which is a product of the Ice Age. The boglands, for which this part of County Offaly is known, lie to the east and west. Beyond the boglands on the eastern side lies Croghan Hill, an extinct volcano. The River Shannon flows to the southwest of the town, while the town itself is divided by the Tullamore River.
The capital town of Offaly and the powerhouse of the Country, Tullamore has a population of 250,000 serving a 30-mile radious. Tullamore is the administrative capital of County Offaly, and is linked with the main cities through excellent road, rail and telecommunication networks.
Help Our Cause
Your generous donation helps us maintain the Chandler Irish connection through exchanges, events and more. Your donation is tax deductible.
