This article is from page 68 of the 2009-05-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
has learned that a team of runners will carry a flame from the birthplace of Michael Cu- sack in Carron to the birthplace of the GAA in Thurles for the Munster hurling final on July 12.
The torch will be handed to the Munster GAA chairman Jimmy O’Gorman on the pitch before the senior decider. O’Gorman will then light torches for all the heads of the
GAA in the province who will bring back the flame of Cusack back to their own county.
“In association with the Munster Council and the Clare GAA board we have planned the relay torch run- ning from the Michael Cusack Cen- tre to Thurles for Munster Final day. This would be symbolic of Cusack’s own journey to Thurles to found the GAA,” said Martin O’Loghlen of the Michael Cusacks Centre.
“The torch will then be taken from Thurles to all the counties in Mun- ster, again symbolic of the idea of the GAA spreading out from Thurles and the impact of Michael Cusack.”
The Cusack Centre was developed by Michael Cusack Development
Company, a not-for-profit voluntary group formed in November 2003 to restore Michael Cusack’s cottage which had fallen into disrepair.
“We feel passionate about the con- nection between the GAA, Carron and Michael Cusack. We feel that it is important to remember his legacy to the country, not just the foundation of the GAA but his entire legacy,” continued Martin.
‘We have a number of events com- ing up in the next few weeks to mark the 125th anniversary celebrations. We are trying to encourage as many people as possible into the centre during the anniversary so we are providing a special offer for all GAA clubs over the summer months.
“We are working closely with Clare GAA and the Munster Council and on June 20 we will also have a number of activities up at the centre as a special commemoration.”
The special offer will see all GAA clubs being offered a special reduced admission fee of €3 for adults and €2 for children between six and 16 years throughout the summer.