With the Ironman event heading to Ireland for the first time this year, a ‘Celtic connection’ could be formed with Tenby, with the possibility of two ‘Iron Towns’ twinning being explored.

Coverage of Tenby’s Ironman Wales made it across the waters to The New York Times last year - where the seaside resort was dubbed ‘Iron Town’ - after the sporting event quickly became a favourite stop on the global triathlon circuit, with the impact of one of the world’s toughest endurance races also transforming the fitness regimes of the local population, which now claims to have more triathletes per capita than anywhere else on earth.

Speaking at a meeting of Tenby Town Council on Tuesday night, the town clerk, Andrew Davies, told members that he’d recently embarked on a trip to Cork in Ireland with representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council to provide some feedback to the the ancient 5th century town of Youghal which will host the country’s first ever full distance Ironman event on June 23.

“It was a very interesting trip and they were all very keen over there in Youghal to work on the Celtic connection as there is lots of synergy between their town and Tenby,” he explained.

“Like Tenby, Youghal is a medieval walled town, at a quayside location too, added Mr. Davies, who suggested that they were keen to perhaps see the the two towns twin, and become two twin ‘Iron Towns’.

“There is no reason why we can’t have discussions on the idea,” said the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, who is also chair of the town council’s ‘twinning committee’.

Ironman Wales will take place in Tenby this year on Sunday, September 15.