Local Notes: Sliabh gCua dance their way to Liverpool, Ballymacarbry golf classic, cúl camp and more
The Sliabh gCua Set Dancing Club members, family and friends, that travelled to the Irish Liverpool Centre recently.
Sliabh gCua set dancing tutor Meadhbh Houlihan and a contingent of members of the Sliabh gCua Set Dancing Club, along with their families and friends, recently travelled to the Liverpool Irish Centre, which was their first exchange trip since 2018 due to Covid-19. For 46 years now the club has been on exchange trips with the Liverpool Irish Centre, all of which commenced with the legendary Sliabh gCua Set Club founder, Monnie Hallahan.
This year the group had an early 4am start from the meeting point at St Mary’s Church, Touraneena for the tour bus that would transport them to Dublin Port. The group consisted of 49 people in total.
Docking in Holyhead at 10.30am, the group were back on the road again. Their first stop was at the Chester Oaks Shopping Village in Wales to stretch their legs, get a bite to eat and have a browse around the shops.
On arrival in Liverpool later that day, the group was warmly greeted at their hotel by Kathleen Cunningham and her family. Kathleen's late father Tommy Walsh (RIP) first met Monnie in Cahir House Hotel 50 years ago and that was the beginning of the exchange trips.
After checking in to the hotel, everybody got ready for ‘Jersey Night’. After a short bus trip the group arrived at the Liverpool Irish Centre where there was a small music session, dancing and food available. Towards the end of the night there was a girls versus boys soccer game played by Sliabh gCua and the Bolger Cunningham Irish School of Dance. The girls won in the end! At around 10.15pm, everyone was back on the bus and heading back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep before a busy Saturday.
The next morning was a free morning where people could go shopping, sightseeing etc. and despite the rainy weather everyone still had a great day before getting ready for the ‘Big Night’ at the Irish Centre.
The evening started with a lovely three-course meal, then it was on to dancing, music and singing. All the dancers from Sliabh gCua and the Bolger Cunningham side wore their costumes. The dance of the night was waltzing, then onto the Siege of Ennis followed by the Bolger Cunningham beginner dancers. The Sliabh gCua musicians played a few tunes, followed by Sliabh gCua tutor Meadhbh Houlihan making her first speech of the weekend.
Next up was a performance by the Sliabh gCua U12 mixed set, followed by a few more dances from the Sliabh gCua side and our U15 Aoibhe Burke sang ‘Red is the Rose’. A big round of applause was given to our over 18 mixed set. Our U18’s performed ‘The Three Tunes’ next and our last dance of the night was the 16-hand reel.
A presentation was also made to Meadhbh from the Bolger Cunningham School of Irish Dance. There was then some more dancing from the Liverpool side, followed up by ‘The Walls of Limerick’ and music provided by Michael Coyne and a few more tunes from our musicians and by the Liverpudlian music group.
The very last item of the night was ‘The Step About’ where every dancer big or small, in ones or twos, danced their own solo step. To end the night, the Bolger Cunningham teachers made an entrance to a huge round of applause.
On Sunday morning, the group left the hotel for the 20 minute walk to the church. However, the group were somewhat distracted and the 20-minute walk to the church ended up in an unplanned detour at the Liverpool train station. After resetting their Sat Navs, and concentration!, they arrived at their destination and attended a lovely mass followed up by a group photo outside the church.
Afterwards, some people decided to go to Knowsley Safari Park to see a variety of animals and the brave dancers amongst them went on some daring theme park rides. It’s safe to say that some of the dancers were a different colour coming off the rides than when they went on! After the fun of the day they got ready for what was to be the final night of their memorable weekend.
Back on the tour bus to ‘Mason’s’ where a beautiful meal was had and there was dancing from both sides along with a few more tunes from the younger and older musicians. Then there was a joint music session with Irish and Liverpudlians musicians playing together. A duet from siblings Joseph (singing) and Caoimhe Connors (on guitar).
Meadhbh Houlihan made a presentation to Kathleen Cunningham of a painting of the quay in Dungarvan by local artist Simone McGoldrick from The Nire, along with a Sliabh gCua top and a photo album put together by Meadhbh and Monnie with pictures from the past trips.
There was also a presentation of a Waterford GAA jersey made to Maureen Morrison on behalf of the Liverpool Irish Centre. The club would like to wish Maureen all the best in her semi-retirement from the Irish Centre. Then it was onto the last dance of the evening, ‘The Step About’ and before they knew it the evening was over and all too soon Monday arrived and it was time to leave. They waved goodbye to Kathleen and friends, already thinking of their next wonderful gathering.
On the way to the ferry they stopped off in James Pringle Weavers shop in the Welsh town of LlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwIIIIantysiliogogogoch, which is the second longest town name in the world, to get the essentials (sweets). Then it was on to the ferry, where the card games of UNO and Dobble were heard by the whole boat. They arrived back in Touraneena at 8.30pm. It was a brilliant weekend enjoyed by all.
The club would like to sincerely thank Kathleen, Maureen and everyone at The Bolger Cunningham School of Irish Dancing for organising and planning such an important weekend. To Meadhbh Houlihan for her time and effort put into planning and teaching numerous dances and for her two great speeches. Thank you to all our dancers from the youngest to the oldest who all danced superbly and to some of our younger dancers who brought a smile to our faces. To our musicians, we were blessed to have some of the best musicians in the country with us, so to Orlaith, Conor, Tomás, Niall, Cian and Joseph, thank you all very much for showing your amazing talents. Thank you also to our bus driver Liam Devitt, for the early morning and the late night pickups.
A special mention to Monnie who started the exchange visits 46 years ago and they have brought so much joy to people from many parts of Waterford and Liverpool. You could feel the emotion from Meadhbh and Kathleen when they spoke about Monnie. As Kathleen Cunningham said: "What a special man!" The impact Monnie has had on her family, the Bolger Cunningham School and the Irish Community in Liverpool is immense. The club would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who travelled with them and to all at the Liverpool Irish Centre, go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Next up for the club is the Munster Fléadh Cheoil on July 17 and 18 in Thurles.
On Saturday, July 6, from 1pm both the community of Sliabh gCua and beyond came together to celebrate the official opening of the Sliabh gCua Playground. After the culmination of seven years of community prioritisation and voluntary involvement the red ribbon was finally cut by Deputy Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Adam Wyse. Senator John Cummins, who was instrumental in attaining the 50,000 Clár grant, and newly elected local Councillor Niamh O'Donovan were in attendance and offered us best wishes and support in the future of our playground and in further ventures.
Tara McGourty, Chairperson of the Playground Committee, gave the opening speech and welcomed Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adam Wyse, who went on to commend us on our superb community achievement.
Eoin from Healthy Waterford along with Jade and Edwina from Ready, Steady Play were keeping the children engaged, focused and explorative with the attendance of Playful Streets in Touraneena. They enthusiastically motivated the children with their lively music and upbeat child-centred games and equipment.
Aoibhe Burke ensured everybody's face was painted picture perfect! The continuous lengthy queue of children coming out of the marquee reflected the high quality of Aoibhe's workmanship.
Michael Kearney Gourmet Catering Fire & Feast provided top quality fresh BBQ food. Mr Softie supplied the creamiest ice-cream and sweets for all the kids to indulge in and Harvey's Coffee & Prosecco served up great quality beverages with a multitude of repeat customers.
The playground would like to extend a grateful thank you to all supporters and attendees on the day and to the long list of people that helped us set up and tidy up. Ní Neart go cur le Chéile!
If you would like to go on the Rome & Assisi Parish Jubilee Pilgrimage, 30th March – 5 April 2025, Spiritual Director: Fr Michael Toomey, tour guide: Mario Russo, please contact Joe Walsh Tours on 01 2410800 for booking before August 15. The price is €1,449pps (€390 single supplement) and includes bus transfers from Clonmel to Dublin / flights – three nights in Rome (B&B) and three in Assisi in a four-star hotel (half board) with all transfers.
Last week's riddle was: What do you throw out when you want to use it, but take it back when you don't want to use it?
Answer: An anchor
This week's riddle is: What goes up and down but does not move?
Answer in this column next week.
We are thrilled to announce that the building works on Panda Playground are starting this week! Our playground provider Kompan will begin preparing the site before the playground equipment is erected, and we'll soon see Panda Playground taking shape.
We have received great support in raising funds so far. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and donated. However, we are not yet at our target of €170,000. If you are in a position to donate, you can still do so. Please contact the Community Centre at 086 0328467 for donation details.
Our Tee times are booking up fast so contact us now to avoid disappointment. This epic golfing event will take place on Friday, July 19, in Clonmel Golf Club. Entry fee per team of four is €200 with every euro collected going directly to Panda Playground. Your entry fee includes a two-course meal and a goody bag for each participant.
We have secured some amazing prizes for this upcoming golf classic. Teams will battle it out for our three top team prizes of a four-ball in Trump International Doonbeg, a four-ball in Dundrum Golf Club or a four-ball in Faithleg Golf Club. The top ladies team will win a four-ball in Waterford Castle Golf Club. We will have a ‘longest drive’ for both men and women with four balls in Dungarvan and West Waterford Golf Clubs up for grabs. Finally our ‘nearest the pin’ competition will see the winner collect 12 golf balls. On top of these prizes we’ll be holding a raffle with many more great prizes. To register your four-person team and lock in your preferred tee off time contact Sean on 087 7712159.
Our next Ballymac Bingo event will take place on Friday, August 2, so mark the date in your calendar and make sure you don’t miss it!
Well done to all involved in the Sliabh gCua playground development for a fantastic official opening event last weekend. A wonderful facility has been delivered for all in the area to enjoy for years to come.
Parents are reminded that the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp comes to Ballymacarbry on Monday, July 29, and continues until Friday, August 2. This is always a great week of fun and play for local children. Remaining places are limited so parents are urged to book your child's place as soon as possible. The camps are open to children aged from 6 to 13 years. Places must be booked online via the Kellogg's Cúl Camp website.
