In Search of an All-Ireland
Corofin Dramatic Society swept the boards at the Scariff Drama Festival at the week-end and in so doing qualified in style for the All Ireland Open Championships taking place in Athlone during the first week in May. The local group also finished in second place at both Glenamaddy and Cavan festivals. In all Corofin had three firsts and four seconds from the eight festivals they contested. In addition to winning at Scariff, John Clancy was awarded Best Director, Martin O’Donohue, Best Actor, Maura Clancy, Best Actress and the inseparable Alan McGuire and James Raleigh, Best Supporting Actor. Their production also collected an award for Best Stage Management. John Clancy was also named Best Director at Cavan where Martin O’Donohue collected a second Best Actor award while Maura Clancy was also named Best Actress at Glenamaddy. The play also won an award for Best Stagecraft at Cavan while the backstage crew were rewarded with trophies for Best Special Effects and Best Sound at Glenamaddy. The local group have scheduled a return performance at GLOR in Ennis on Saturday April 25th prior to competing at Athlone.
Eyes Down at Kilnaboy
A fun bingo event will be held at Kilnaboy School Hall on this Good Friday night commencing at 8.00pm. The event is being run to raise money for the Kilnaboy Defibrillator fund and everyone is invited to come along and support this worthy cause.
Tourist Information
A meeting of Corofin Tourism Association held last week dealt with a number of issues including how best to promote the Burren National Park Information Office at the Clare Heritage Centre which it is felt is a resource missed out on by many visitors to North Clare. The meeting also heard that Trisha Nash will operate a local tourist information point at her business Solas Mo Chroi in the Main Street in the village which should prove of great benefit to both locals and tourists alike as the shop will be open seven days. Final touches are also being put to the 2015 Festival of Finn programme which should be announced in the next week or so.
Athletics Success
Kilnaboy woman Rita Kierce claimed two Gold medals at the AAI National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships which took place recently in Athlone. In the 800m Rita led the field home in a time of 2.41.04 and later on she doubled her Gold medal tally when she was victorious in the 1500m. Her winning time was 5.34.08 and so capped a wonderful day for Rita who was representing her home club of St. Marys.
Pilgrim Paths Day
This Saturday April 4th is national Pilgrim’s Path Day with the tradition of pilgrimage being celebrated at several locations throughout Ireland. The only event to be held in county Clare will take place at Rath and Dysart. The walk begins at 13 30 from Rath. Parking is at Dysert O’Dea Castle from 12 15 – 13 15. From there transport will be available to the starting point at Rath. Local walkers are especially welcome to join the walk. Booking and further details, contact Pius Murray at 0879828173.
Fashion Show
A number of local organisations will benefit from a Fashion Show being organised at Kilnaboy School Hall on Friday April 17th. Several well-known shops have been lined up for the event with Kilnaboy History & Heritage Group, Doolin Sea Rescue and Corofin Senior Citizens the beneficiaries of all money raised on the night.
Cyclists Wanted
The Corofin and Kilnaboy areas have been well represented over the years in the annual 250 Mile Cycle around the county which takes place in May each year. This year’s event is scheduled to take place over the week-end of May 16th and 17th and the organisers are looking to recruit a number of new participants this year. Anyone who might like to take on the challenge should contact Corofin’s long time representative Martin O’Donohue for further information.