Trad Fest Time
The 2015 Corofin Traditional Music Festival gets under way in the village on Monday night next March 2nd. Well-known musician and radio presenter Eoin O’Neill will perform the official opening at the Teach Ceoil at 8.00pm which will be followed by a recital. The main focus of attention throughout the week will be at the Teach where on Tuesday night there will be an album launch featuring the music of Mark, Donal and Conor McCague. On Wednesday a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Inagh musician Joe Rynne. This will be followed by concerts at the same venue on Thursday and Friday nights. On Thursday Angela Carberry and Brian Mooney will be joined by Noel Hill and Liam O’Connor while Friday’s event features The Yanks. There will also be sessions in local pubs throughout the week. The festival will continue over the following week-end with workshops, concerts and more sessions.
CHAF Draw
The Corofin Hall and Field committee will launch its new draw on this Friday night at Bofey Quinn’s. Having run a 500 Members Club over the past three years the draw has now been revamped to include just 400 members with four prizes on offer each week instead of three. The draw is crucial to the local group in enabling them to offset the debt on the redeveloped building and they have expressed their gratitude to everyone who has supported them to date. CHAF is currently working on the final phase of development at the hall and on the fit-out of the various facilities. Anyone who wishes to be included in the draw should confirm with any of the sellers that their name is in the hat.
Water Metres
Corofin has been a hive of activity over the past week as work crews working on behalf of Irish Water have been busy installing water meters in all areas of the village. Local people have been expressing surprise that a number of new housing estates including local authority estates have had to have new meters installed. They have nonetheless been impressed by the speed at which the work crews have undertaken the task and unlike other areas where such work has taken place there has been no public protest from anti-water charge campaigners.
Next Step Galway
Corofin Dramatic Society had a very successful two-night stint at GLÓR Theatre in Ennis at the week-end with their production of The 39 Steps, a hilarious take on the original Alfred Hitchcock thriller. The local group have very strong pulling power following recent productions and once again the Ennis venue was full to capacity. Next stop for the show is a one-night stand at The Taibhdearch Theatre in Galway City on Monday night next March 2nd before embarking on a seven-night festival circuit during March, in pursuit of All Ireland qualification.
Litter Louts
Corofin Tidy Towns committee has been very disappointed to note some indiscriminate disposal of household litter inside the wall of the local sportsfield between the hall and the school in recent times. They intend to monitor the situation and will take action against any offenders. They are also investigating reports of litter being dumped on the Clifden Hill road at Carrownagraun. On a positive note the local group is very thankful to local stonemasons Pat and Gussie O’Loughlin for the repair work carried out to the stone-walls at the entrance to the new cemetery in the village where laurel sapplings have also been planted.
David’s Day
There was a good turn-out of 22 players for the Corofin Golf Society’s first outing of 2015 at Gort Golf Club on Saturday last which was played in very cold but mostly dry conditions. David Quinn emerged winner from John Daly and Pat McCarthy. Brendan McDonagh and Connie O’Donohue won the nines. The next outing of the local club is to Portumna on Saturday March 21st. There is also a very good response to the club’s week-end away to Kilkenny City from April 16th to 19th and they would like to hear from anyone else who might like to join them for this social occasion. Full details can be had on the society’s Facebook page or from any of the committee.
Preparing for Festival of Finn
Corofin Tourism Association is meeting this week to advance arrangements for the 2015 Festival of Finn to be held over the May Bank Holiday week-end. It is expected that all of the main programme events will be included such as the World Stone-throwing Championships and Ireland’s Best Beard and Moustache Competition while some new events are also likely to be included. The group is also anxious to promote the Failte to Corofin Facebook page which provides a huge amount of information on local activities and events as well as promoting the beauty of the area. Meanwhile CTA member Martin Waldron of Burrenescapes at Cramoher House was one of those elected to the North Clare Tourism Forum at a meeting at The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon last week. He represents the Burren Ecotoursim Network on the new structure.
Youth Club News
Corofin Youth Club enjoyed a good run in the All Ireland Talent Show competition organised by the Youth Service in 2014 and the club intends taking part once again this year. The club has sent out a call to members to participate in this year’s event which will first mean competing in the county qualifiers. Members have options of competing in dance, music, singing and drama. Meanwhile Kilnaboy Youth Club is encouraging its members to participate in a Photographic Competition being organised by Clare Youth Service. The club is also planning a trip away for members to the Munster versus Connaught rugby match at Thomond Park on March 28th and needs to hear from any members who wish to travel.
Jim Harmon Trophy
Corofin GAA club has organised an u-16 football tournament in memory of former club stalwart, the late Jim Harmon, on an annual basis for several years. On Sunday last Corofin entertained Wolf Tones to decide the destination of this year’s trophy. In a game played in dreadful weather conditions the local side proved too strong for the visitors winning by a substantial margin. After the game sponsor presented the Jim Harmon Trophy to Corofin captain Liam McGrath while club President Donal Clancy presented medals to the members of both teams.