This article is from page 78 of the 2008-07-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 78 JPG
EVEN the weather was kind to Tua- mgraney on Friday when the Pride Of Place judges arrived in the vil- lage.
It was all hands on deck to make the two judges in the cross-border competition feel welcome and Tuam- graney residents showed they know how to lay out the red carpet.
“It couldn’t have gone better. Eve- ryone came together to make it a special day,” said Mary Cassidy, sec- retary of the Tuamgraney Develop- ment Association.
The day started with chairman of the association, Damien Heaney, Mary and a large group of local peo-
ple turning out to greet the judges, Tom Dowling and Alison Boyle.
They were brought to the East Clare Heritage Centre where Fr Brendan Quinliven and Alan Sparling greeted them dressed as Brian Bort and his brother and staged a small historical pageant.
Then Gordon Daly gave a power point presentation outling the local attractions and some of the history of the village.
The group then set off on a boat trip from Tuamghraney to Scariff harbour. On their return, the devel- Opment association representatives took the party on a walking tour of the memorial park and the proposed wildlife park before heading to Ra-
heen hospital.
‘At the hospital they met the staff and saw the facilities and then we introduced them to Paddy Gleeson, who turned 104 recently. He was able to talk to them about local his- tory and the the Black and Tans. It was fascinating,’ said Mary
After the hospital visit the judges went to the handball alley where youngsters put on a demonstration of handball skills.
Afterwards the winners of the anti- litter competition were anounced, be- fore the judges said their goodbyes.
Now the association and local peo- ple will have to wait until November to see if their hardy efforts will bear fruit.
“It was just fabulous that even the weather was good for that short while and they got to see Tuamgraney in the sunshine. The day was lovely and there was a lovely atmosphere, with the bouncy castle for the kids and face-painting — they were delighted,” said Mary.
She also stressed that simply win- ning is not the point in the competi- tion.
“Just to be nominated to take part for the first time was a great honour. And it was marvellous the way eve- ryone came together to lend support. The village looked lovely with all of the flags and bunting up for Clare as well. Maybe we’ll leave them up un- til November, just in case.”