The Clare People Archive

DYNAMIC, honourable and a pas- sionate supporter of the Irish lan- eAUeE Ton

They were just some of the tributes paid to the late Riobeard O’Ceallaigh by friends and former colleagues at last Tuesday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Mr. O’Ceallaigh, who served as Ennis Town Manager from 1985- 1994, died in Dublin last week. He had been suffering from a rare heart disorder for a number of years.

Leading the tributes Mayor of En- nis Tommy Brennan (Ind.) recalled Mr. O’Ceallaigh as a man central to the development of Ennis as a mod- ern town.

He said, “He had a great way about him, a great way of getting things

done. Without him the Ennis 750 celebrations would never have hap- pened. He was one of the first in- volved in the re-development of Par- nell Street. He was the first man to introduce wheelie bins in Ennis. He was way before his time”’.

A strong supporter of the Irish lan- guage, Mr. O’Ceallaigh was chair- man of Glor na Gael Ennis when the organisation scooped a major na- tional award last March. He was also chairman of Conradh na Gaeilge and of Clar na Gailge.

Town engineer Tom Tiernan said, “It’s hard to believe a man of such energy has died. You always felt his enthusiasm.

“T was always getting phone calls from him about little bits of Irish that were missing from a sign here or there. They were always glass-half-

full comments with Bob.”

Fianna Fail councillor Peter Con- sidine, a long time colleague and friend of Mr O’Ceallaigh said, “He was the most honourable man you could ever hope to meet.

“Without taking anything away from the current executive, he was the best public official I ever met in my life.”

Fianna Fail councillor Joe Reidy said Mr O’Ceallaigh was “nothing but a gentleman. He will be a great loss to the town of Ennis and the oot b nA ae

Fine Gael councillor Mary Coote Ryan said, “Bob was a thorough gen- tleman and a very good friend. What has happened in the town is testa- ment to his great work.”

Fianna Fail councillor Tom Glynn said Mr O’Ceallaigh was a “wonder-

ful person”. Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn said Mr O’Ceallaigh’s greatest skill was his ability to deal with others.

He said, “He had a dynamic na- ture and his energy was hugely ap- parent. He was very demanding. He expected the best of public servants because he expected the best of him- self…He was an extraordinarily de- cent person.”

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon said, “It’s apparent when you walk the streets and you hear about Bob Kelly, you hear what type of man he was.”

Town clerk Eddie Power said Mr O’Ceallaigh possessed a “terrifically positive attitude to life and work.”

Town mwanager Tom Coughlan said, “I never worked with Bob but I am sure I would have learned a lot.”

DECADES after falling into disre- pair Lisdoonvarna’s Pavilion Theatre re-opens its doors to the public this weekend. Revamped and expanded, the 300-plus seat theatre and new foyer space will make its comeback as part of this weekend’s Slow Food Fleadh.

“The Pavilion Theatre, or the Town Hall as it used to be called, has been here since the 1900s. Over the years, all the big-name theatre companies used to come. All the big names. I know that Eamonn de Valera had a huge rally here at one stage with thousands and thousands of people,’

said Marian O’Callaghan of Lis- doonvarna Failte.

“It was in use up to 1930 and 1940 when it fell into disrepair. A few at- tempts were made to revive it over the years but nothing major hap- pened with it.”

After receiving €1.27 million in funding from then arts minister, Sile de Valera in 2000, big plans were made for the building.

“Work started around September of last year and now it’s just about finished. One of the main purposes of the venue will be as a theatre, the focus will be on the arts first and foremost. We can sit more than 300 people fairly comfortable – we have

a huge stage which has everything that a travelling group could desire,” continued Ms. O’Callaghan.

“We have a special floor so we can have dance and some life music. The Lismorahaun Singers will be using it quite a lot for practice and for re- citals. We have a new entrance and foyer area which can quite easily be used for exhibitions or for smaller musical events and even parties.

“This is going to be an evolving process. We really want to get as much as we can going on here over the next years and develop its usage as much as possible. There is a really strong tradition of arts in the area. We would love to have all the local

groups involved but it will be a com- mercial enterprise and we will be hoping to bring touring groups here from around the country.”

This Sunday, May 25, The Pavilion Theatre will host an evening of sup- per theatre in association with the Meridian Theatre Company and the Slow Food Fleadh.

Tickets, which include drama, food and wine are available from Jordans in Lisdoonvarna at €27 or from 086 2328257.

MEMORIES of times and music past have been brought back to life in anew CD marking both the Clare Festival of Traditional Singing and the life of Tom Munnelly.

The festival, which took place each year from 1990 to 2002 in En- nistymon’s Teach Ceoil, drew vocal- ists from all over the world to north Clare. The festival was organised by folklorist and song collector, Tom Munnelly, who had the foresight to record the festival performances as they happened.

Munnelly was in the process of compiling a CD of the festivals when he passed away last year. His task was carried on by brother in law, Gerry O’Reilly culminating in the CD launch last Saturday.

“This thing really has been pro- duced to honour my husband, be- cause he was the one who ran that festival. He was involved right from the very beginning and they have dedicated the CD to his memory,’ said Annette Munnelly

‘He wanted to take the best from each years concert and make them into a CD. He was in the process of

finishing this off when he got ill and died last year. What you have on the CD is 17 singers from all over the country and abroad. It’s men and women, but they are traditional sing- ers. There 1s one man, Stan Scott, who sang traditional Bengali singing on the CD. There is a great collection of music in it.”

The CD includes some of the best singers of traditional song in Ireland and beyond, such as Roisin Elsafty from Connemara, the late Con Gre- aney of Limerick and Nonie Lynch from Mullagh. Many of the sing- ers who appear on the CD attended

it’s official launch in Spanish Point on Saturday night. “It’s very nostal- gic. It’s a really marvellous CD. My brother and a man from Cork called Pat Ahern, who took on finishing the CD. They have done a great job of bringing the whole thing together,’ CLoyNLDOLOC ere MPa W NTO CeLA Ko

“The CD is available from vari- ous shops in Dublin but it will also be available from the Kilfarboy So- ciety and from local outlets around the county. We will also try and get them into the music shops in Ennis and in all the usual outlets of tradi- tional music.”

AWARDS fever swept Ennistymon last week with both the CBS and Scoil Mhuire paying tribute to the students who excelled in the last Nose m Ko uITe

Up in the CBS the main award of Student of the Year was won jointly by Joseph Kelly and Darragh Con- neely while in the convent Kilfenora writer, Cora Harrison, presented awards to Head Girl Samantha Houl- than and to Student of the Year, Sha- ron Kierce

Achievement in sports was also high on the agenda in both award

ceremonies with Clare hurler Tony Griffin and Kerry football manager Pat O’Shea speaking and presenting awards at the CBS and Scoil Mhuire respectively.

O’Shea presented the sports person of the year award to second year N1- amh O’Dea, while the girls from the Muster title winning football team all received their medals.

Meanwhile, in the CBS Tony Grif- fin presented Cillian Malone with the Senior Sports person of the year and to Ronan Linnane for Junior Sports person.

Other sports awards were presented Damien Conway for his achievements

in surfing, Ciaran Devitt on making the National Junior Basketball panel and Sean McConigley and Michael McDonagh on being chosen for the Clare Minor Hurling panel and Clare Minor Football panel respectively.

Scoil Mhuire also presented awards to Deirdre Egan for getting 11 A’s in her Junior Cert, Jacqueline Nagle for winning the Law society essay com- petition and a bronze medal in the Science Olympics, Aisling Davies, Stella McGlennan, Rhian Rice all got awards for their contribution to the musical.

In the CBS mention was given to Declan O’Loughlin, who won the

national title in the Senior Academic section of The Bank of Ireland Na- tional Student Awards 2008.

Scoil Mhuire’s Marguerite O’ Dwyer Award for musical achievement was awarded to Grainne Curtin and Eimear Howley while principal, Se- osaimhan Ui Dhomhnallain, praised both students and teachers for a very successful year for the school.

Opening at the CBS awards, Vice Principal Mary Lyons highlighting the importance of acknowledging achievement and effort in all aspects of school life. She also thanked the teachers for their strong commitment throughout the school year.

SEVEN months into existence and Scou Mhainchin National School in Ennistymon has found the perfect way to bring all of it’s 145 students together. The amalgamation of the convent primary and CBS schools into one school has been marked with the creation of a special student garden.

The garden – which includes a veg- etable, insect and bird section – has been worked on by all pupils and teachers at the school over the last Kayes selon laetce

“We were looking for a whole school project that would involve all the students from baby infants right

up to sixth class. So we started off talking about planting a tree but fair- ly soon the that idea spiralled into the garden,’ said school principal Helen Sheridan.

‘Now we have an insect garden, a vegetable garden and a bird garden. It’s a work in progress – the garden will grow with the children and with the school.”

The garden has been constructed with the principles of organic farm- ing and sustainability at heart. The school has reused old twigs to make fencing, used moss to make special habitats for insects, used seaweed and sand to make fertiliser and prop- agated much of the plants that they are SOWIng.

“Tt like another classroom, it’s like an extension to the school. Every class goes out, does their work and then they do a lot of follow-up work in class. It’s really practical science” continued Ms. Sheridan.

‘The insect garden has native grass- es and flowers that attract insects and we have also built some ‘insect ho- tels’ using mosses and sticks to cre- ate somewhere where insects collect and we can observe them.

‘The site was extremely steep, you couldn’t actually walk on it because it was so steep. So the kids learned how to make wattle fencing and they made terraces for the vegetables to erow. They have also used seaweed in that area as a natural fertiliser. It’s

been great and the kids have done all the work.

“The junior infants have made feeders for the bird garden by get- ting pine cones and rubbing them in peanut butter. The older classes are weaving a willow tunnel which will be bird hive and we are planting na- tive trees like ash and birch to attract the birds.”

When the garden becomes more established, the school plans to har- vest the vegetables produced for oc- casional treats for the students.

THE oldest resident in the Drum- geely area of Shannon was the toast of the local primary school last week. Louis Quinlivan was chosen by the students and staff at St Sen- an’s National School to raise their green flag, much to the delight of everybody.

The school had the unique honour of obtaining its fifth green flag from An Taisce following an intensive ef-

fort to do their bit for the environ- ment. Mr Quinlivan was one of the original residents of Corrib Drive and over the years has played a key role in the tidy towns committee in the town. He and his wife Margaret are well-known in their local area.

According to school principal Sally O’Neull, it was appropriate that Mr Quinlivan would raise the flag.

“The last time we invited Eanna Ni Lamhna to the school and this time we decided to keep it local,” said Ms

O’ Neill.

The flag was won as a result of ef- forts from all 102 pupils at the school, under the guidance of green schools co-ordinator Margaret Murphy.

“It’s not just the green flag. It is linked up with everything that’s go- ing on here,” said Ms O’Neill.

For each flag a different theme prevails and this year’s theme was focused on reducing our carbon footprint. The themes of the previ- ous four green flags were also part

of this year’s campaign – ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ was the theme for the first flag; “Reduce, reclaim’ was the second flag’s theme; ‘Energy – save a little, it means a lot’ was the theme for the third flag while the school won its fourth flag two years ago on the theme, ‘Water is light, protect it’.

A NEW initiative which encourages young children to do their homework is proving a phenomenal success in Shannon.

The local family resource centre has set up a Kool Kids Club, which is also known as a Homework Club.

It is the first time that the centre, which was set up eight years ago, has organised an initiative like this. It is also one of three local groups in Shannon nominated for the AIB Bet- ter Ireland Awards, which presents an opportunity to win €10,000.

The club runs two afternoons every week, on Wednesdays and Thurs-

days. It is funded by the Health Serv- ice Executive through the traveller health initiative and is organised by Debbie O’Halloran-Browne.

The co-ordinator of the fam- ily resource centre, Marie Rowland, pointed out that it was the children themselves who saw the need for this facility.

‘An evaluation was done with chil- dren in our activity club and from that evaluation we decided to run a pilot programme. It is very success- ful. It is very well attended,’ said Ms Rowland.

On arrival, the children are provid- ed with healthy snacks, after which they do their homework and then

play games. This ensures the project is a combination of education, health NCO Moot U Kee

“They are encouraged with their work and are supported by a number of volunteers,” said Ms Rowland.

“We find that the children are here from 3.15pm wanting to do their homework,” she said.

‘This is the first time the family re- source centre has done this and the feedback in the local community has been great,” she added.

Given that this initiative is support- ed by the Traveller Health Initiative, integration is key to its success.

“Tt is all about integration,” said Ms Rowland.

Fifteen young children attend the club and other spaces could be made available if additional volunteers are KOMEDI KCC

SUsloeel elem mclen enc tl bap DON senercam Vole unteers to assist them with their activities. Full training in childcare protection will be provided to volun- teers, who will be just asked to com- mit to a few hours a week.

Anyone interested in _ helping out should contact Debbie on 061 Uroue

SRO VOlrem Kem NsleROllomsmsNewAUEs maior ter Ireland Awards, text SHANNON, followed by B to 53099. The voting lines opened on May 6 and remain active until June 6.

THE fundraising towards a major project at Scoil na Mainistreach in Quin is reaching its final stages fol- lowing a hugely successful Who wants to be a Thousandaire? event. More than €60,000 was raised as a result of the evening which was held at The Clare Inn hotel last month. The event was the culmination of

much work by the school develop- ment committee. Proceeds go to- wards development of a school field. The overall project is costing more than €200,000, most of which has been pledged. The school is encour- aging those who have pledged money to honour their commitments, so that the project can come to fruition. While the thousandaire evening was mainly geared towards the

adults the pupils were not forgotten. The school organised a children’s Who wants to be a Thousandaire? show. Contestants Mr Lynch, Emer Moynihan, Siobhan Frain, Conor Mahon and Dearbhla Holohan all played a role in ensuring everyone savoured the atmosphere.

Elsewhere, the school has contin- ued to earn plaudits in sporting cir- cles. Most notable among these was

Quin winning the community games swimming competition which was held at the Ennis Leisure Centre. Wins were achieved by Aoife Deane, Hannah O’Brien, Briana Fennell, Cathal Browne, Sarah O’Reilly, Or- laith O’Neill, Michael Corry and Eoin Beirne.

The enrolment evening for new stu- dents to the school will take place on May 29.

DETAILS of the up-coming county fleadh, which will be held in Tulla were unveiled to a huge crowd of musicians and guests at the fleadh launch last week.

Toes were tapping as performers gave everyone gathered in the court- house a sneak preview of the talent that would be on display in more than 80 competitions and concerts.

A gala concert on the gig-rig on Sunday, June 22 will feature both the Tulla and the Kilfenora Céili Bands and there are concerts planned for the courthouse as well as informal sessions in the village all weekend.

It is 5O years since Tulla hosted its last county fleadh and plans have

been laid to make the event from June 18 to 22 unforgettable.

Amongst those present for the launch were Liam Cleary of Liam Cleary Motors, Ennis and Damien Siggins of Roche (Ireland) Limited who were representing the main Sponsors.

Breda McNamara, Chairperson of Tulla comhaltas welcomed everyone and introduced the various speakers including Pat Brosnan, Chairman of Clare County Board of Comhaltas, Joe O’Connor, Comhaltas Reachtaire and Tom Conheady the fleadh chair- yretenee

Pat Brosnan accepted presentation of the cups which will be awarded as prizes. These were the Leamy Cup, the Kitty Leyden Cup, the Molo-

ney Cup, the Jack Murphy Cup, the Maureen O’Connell Cup, the Pat O’ Halloran Cup and the Andy Mac- namara Shield.

Joe O’Connor told the gathering that he was “delighted to be back in Tulla again. Last year, they celebrat- ed 50 years of comhaltas in Tulla and if that was anything to go by, we can look forward to a fantastic fleadh.”

Tom Conheady thanked the spon- sors. “We are very grateful to them. Without them, we couldn’t provide the programmes we will be provid- ing in June and again in September for the trad festival.”

After speeches and presentations, the gathering was treated to per- formances from the Tulla Under 15 Céili Band, Sorchadha Costelloe the

current under 12 fiddle All Ireland Champion, Andrew MacNamara on accordion and Mark Donellan on fid- oR

Concertina player Kate McNamara who is to launch her first CD at the fleadh, played along with her brother Gearoid, sister Amy and Michael Landers.

Also on stage were Seamus Buglar on accordion, Paddy O’Donoghue on flute and Pat Mullins on fiddle accompanied by Joan Culloo on pi- ano, Vincent Griffin, Mary Corry and John Lyons accompanied by his daughter Aisling on harp.

There was also music performed at the event by the Trad for Teens group and songs from Robbie and Sean McMahon.

MOUNTSHANNON is the desti- nation this coming week for lovers of arts and culture as the Inisceal- tra Festival of the Arts kicks off on May 24. The official opening of the week long event will be officiated by Theo Dorgan, renowned poet, writer, broadcaster and member of Aosdana and the Arts Council

With music, drama and dance per- formances from local and visiting groups, some of the highlights of this year’s festival include musical

performances by Eoin O’Neill, Orla Harrington and John Feely to name but a few.

Also on the agenda for the festi- val is a family boat-building course with the completed kit-boats be- ing launched at the end, a riverside sculpture trail with free boat-trips to view it, concerts, an art exhibition, sean-nos dancing, pub sessions, and film presentations from the Midnight Court film society.

There will be a free storytelling family event as well as dance and music presentations and a creative

writer’s workshop.

This year’s theme of “Community / Muintir” invites the whole com- munity to become involved in the activities which run from May 23 UNOS UM LUDO loaen

Announcing the programme, fes- tival director Nicola Henley said, ‘This year we have a fantastic vari- ety of events; hot air balloon making, African drumming workshops, riv- erside sculptures and boat building.

“We also have the reopening of the old village forge, and some wonder- ful pieces of art on loan from the

Outsiders collection at IMMA.”

On Sunday, June 1, the Aistear in Mountshannon will come alive with a Green Fare hosted by members of CELT, the Irish Seed Savers, and the Alfa project. Metalwork, stone carving, wood and willow skills will mingle with African drumming, Salsa, Capoeira, Bellydancing and nee) Ree

Full details of all then events on the 2008 Iniscealtra Festival of Arts pro- eramme are available on the official website www.iniscealtra-artsfestival. Outs