This article is from page 26 of the 2007-04-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
THE people of Kilmurry Ibrickane are planning to buy the election, and the news is unlikely to lead to any controversy or tribunal.
The plan is all legal and above board – as the election is the local mayoral election and buying the position 1s all part of the fundraising for the Leon XII celebrations later this year.
The Leon Committee in Quilty are moving full steam ahead with a number of projects in the run up to the centenary celebrations of the Leon XIII rescue.
The main event of the year, the Leon festival, will be held during the last weekend in September. One of the highlights of the festival will be
the open currach racing competition, with teams from Connemara and Kerry providing strong competition for the local crews who are practic- ing hard. Some of the local people, including their priest, never even sat in acurrach before they started train- ing for the event.
Another part of the build up to the festival is the Mayor of Kilmurry Ibrickane and Deputy Mayor “elec- tion”.
Once elected both dignitaries will act as the official representatives of the area for the centenary year.
With attendance of other dignitaries from far and wide already confirmed for the festival, the new mayor and deputy will be responsible for pro- viding the Céad Mile Failte.
The Leon Committee are now look- ing for nominations for the office.
All nominations are to be placed in the official nomination boxes by April 15. The nomination forms and nomination boxes are located in shops in Kilmurry Ibrickane and anyone can enter.
Once nominated the candidates must buy their way into office, with the help of friends and generous pa- triots.
The “election” will be decided by the number of tickets each candi- date sells for the June Bank Holiday weekend fundraiser in the Quilty Tavern.
The candidate who sells the most tickets will be elected the Mayor of Kilmurry Ibrickane for one year.
A comedian and live music have been lined up for the fundraiser on June 2, before the mayor is presented with the chain of office.
The official mayoral candidates will be announced in the local media and will start selling tickets as early as April 16. The funds raised will go towards the running costs of the OORT Ee
Full details are available from members of the Leon Committee or on official nomination forms in- Store.