Wicklow Winners at Gala Ceremony

Saturday night 10^th December was the night when Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin outperformed the rest of the country and brought home not one, not two but THREE national awards.  There are nine categories – best hurling/camogie initiative; best football promotion; best handball/rounders promotion; county website/publication of the year; annual fixtures/information booklet; small school of the year and large school of the year.  Each county is permitted to enter three categories.  The Garden County took honours for its website, and for the promotion of our national games through the local media.  To the surprise of many of those present, its excellent fixtures and information booklet did not feature among the winners. However St. Patrick’s BNS in the county town were runners up in the best large school category.  This was indeed just recognition for the tremendous work being carried out by the staff of St. Pat’s, and it was a very proud coiste and staff who looked on as Andrew Cornyn accepted this award from Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael.

Special guest on the night was her excellency Mary MacAleese who took time out from her busy schedule to be present on the night.  Indeed such is the regard in which the president holds this ceremony, that it was her second time to attend the awards.  On her previous visit she made a wonderful speech.  This year the president once again captivated all those present as she spoke passionately about our national games.  She is privileged to be able attend Croke Park finals every year, but she noted that for those who are lucky enough to be present on big match days should never forget the passion, dedication and commitment of the hundreds of teachers the length and breadth of the country who voluntarily give of their time to instil a love for gaelic games in their pupils.  Those of us who drink at the well, she said, must never forget those who dug that well.

Other speakers on the night included Seán Ó Ceallaigh, Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Frank Byrne, managing director of Roadstone Provinces and Cathaoirleach of Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta Jim O’Reilly.  Master of Ceremonies on the night was RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey, and Ronnie Delaney once again ensured that the whole evening went without a hitch.  Indeed Marty reminded those present that in 2006 it will be fifty years since Wicklowman Ronnie Delaney won that memorable Olympic gold medal.  Entertainment on the night was provided by the Dublin Secondary Schools’ Girls’ Choir, champion Irish Dancer Michael Donnelan, You’re A Star runners up last year, girl band Jade and singer Tommy Flemming, but perhaps the biggest applause of the night was reserved for an Teashock, a.k.a. Alan Shortt.

In order to mark Seán Ó Ceallaigh’s presidency of the GAA Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin presented the outgoing president with a watercolour depicting four scences from Wicklow by Kilcoole artist Vincent Hunt.