This article is from page 34 of the 2007-06-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
SDE still available to buy in local shops, the success of the inaugural festival should guarantee a continued early summer festival in Gort for years to Koya lon
“It was a great day, a day that Gort can be really proud of,” said Niamh Clune, managing director of GRACE and organiser of the Changing Colours.
“So many people contributed in
the festival, people like Anne Kelly who never flinches no matter what the task, the GRACE directors and volunteers, all our sponsors, the mu- sicilans and technical team, Garry Connolly for his help on the day, my husband, Doug who was always behind the scenes helping and my daughter, Aleisha, for the music and friendship.”
Giant puppets and jugglers walked the streets, the ICA arrived on pony and trap to signify the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1857, as the his- tory of Gort was depicted in graphic action.
The carnival atmosphere contin- ued with Marie Gavin’s dancers
who performed a war and fire dance, before Euro-Samba played some au- thentic samba from the San Paolo region and were joined by Brazilian CN eo ace
“There are too many people to thank, but I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the teachers and loop leaders for their brilliant guidance and participation; to Michael O’Grady, Frank Murray, Nilton De Viera Souza and Isaiais for helping on the day and with the Brazilian translations,’ she contin- tere
“T would also like to thank the Garda Siochana, the Court Serv- ices, Galway County Council Spe-
cial Events Licensing for Arts and Crafts Fair, the brilliant staff of the Lady Gregory, Dennis Corry and the Board of Trustees at Gort Com- munity School and the business people of Gort.
‘To Pat Howley and the Red Cross team, to all those who provided out- lets for ticket and CD sales, to James Lee and staff of the Gort Communi- ty Centre and to Mayor Mullins for helping us to launch the festival.”
The