Congratulations to AF de Cork President Valérie David-McGonnell for being awarded the Chevalier medal of the "Palmes académiques" for her significant contributions to French language education and culture at local and national level in Ireland.

The Palmes académiques Order was created by Napoleon in 1808 and is the oldest non-military French decoration.

The medal was presented by our French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Céline Place, last night at the Cork City Hall, in the presence of Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle, Mayor of the Cork County Cllr Joe Carroll, Hon. Consul of France in Cork Josselin Le Gall, M. Josselin Le Gall, Laura Le Cléach, French Language Attachée with the French Embassy in Ireland, President of the Cobh & Harbour Chamber Toddy Stafford, AF de Cork Board Members, AIPLF Committee Members, and a number of other distinguished guests.

Article in French: https://lepetitjournal.com/dublin/les-palmes-academiques-decernees-une-figure-cle-de-la-langue-francaise-en-irlande-397573

H.E. Céline Place, Ambassador of France to Ireland.

Cllr Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork.

Toddy Stafford, Cobh & Harbour Chamber President; Valérie David-McGonnell; H.E. Céline Place; Cllr Joe Carroll, Mayor of the County of Cork.

Eoin Carroll, Irish Defence Forces Army Officer; Valérie David-McGonnell, AF de Cork President; H.E. Céline Place, Ambassador of France; John Mullins, former President of AF de Cork.