An Offaly big night in the capital at 52nd Offaly Association Dublin annual dinner dance
PRIDE, treasured memories and incredible atmosphere were the words of Offaly Association Dublin Chairperson Martin Delaney as he described the elevation of Brian Cowen to Taoiseach last May and the huge voluntary effort of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann organising committee spearheaded by the dynamic Attracta Brady.
Mr Delaney was addressing a banquet hall overflowing with Offalians at last Saturday's Offaly Association dinner dance in the Regency Hotel, Dublin where Mr Cowen became the first recipient of a Lifettime Achievement Award and the Fleadh Committee were honoured as 'Person of the Year' winners 2008.
Mr Delaney said the Association had every confidence that Mr Cowen, winner of the Person of the Year in 1992, would 'lead Ireland out of recession' and said the success of the Fleadh over the past two years in Tullamore simply 'couldn't be ignored'.
MC for the gala occasion for RTE's Brian Carthy and An Taoiseach was joined by many party colleagues including Chief Whip Pat Carey, outgoing MEP Eoin Ryan, Seanad Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan and Leonie Reynolds, daughter of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.
Banagher native Kieran Sullivan was present, representing the Offaly Association London and Mr Cowen said the Association were vital in maintaining networks and contacts with people in Dublin, London, New York and elsewhere.
The Clara native jokingly quipped, "You better watch out when people are giving you a lifetime achievement award before you even reach the age of fifty." But added, "It is a great privilege to be accorded this honour. Much of what I achieved in life, I didn't do so on my own, based on my own merit or ability. It was through a tremendous team of people through many walks of life over a long period of time."
Mr Cowen, as always, relished the opportunity to be among the people from his own county and commented, "I can't stay all night and some of you know I have been known to say all night. I've an important meeting in Prague tomorrow morning and President Obama is attending and I want to reciprocate the courtesy he showed our country on St Patrick's Day."
An Taoiseach commented, "These are difficult times but the can do approach of Irish people brought us unprecedented success and it can be achieved again. When things pick up and this recession passes, like others have before, I'm confident we'll be well positioned to pick up on the up turn."
He also congratulated Comhaltas and the local organising committee on bringing Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann to Tullamore.
Offaly GAA Chairperson Pat Teehan, County Manager Pat Gallagher and CCE CEO Senator Labhrs O'Murch paid tribute to the award winners.
Senator O'Murch said Mr Cowen is going to lead Ireland out of this recession and he referred to the support An Taoiseach gave to CCE's development pro-gramme.
He hailed the Fleadh committee as true patriots and thanked the Offaly Association for recognising the voluntary effort and putting Attracta Brady and her committee on a pedastal. He also hinted that the Fleadh could be in Tullamore for a fourth consecutive year in 2010.
Mr Gallagher said it was a proud time for Cowen family with Brian as leader of national government and his brother Barry at the head of local government.
Cllr Barry Cowen, Chairperson Offaly County Council, complimented all the award nominees and said the Fleadh brought great pride to the county.
And of his of his 'Big Bro' he said, "There is nobody in Offaly that doesn't have faith in the leadership he is offering and will offer. We found ourselves in tougher situations in the past. We got ourselves out of them and we'll do so in the future."
2007 Offaly Person of the Year award winner Stephen Grant remarked, " If we work hard and are diligent, be clever and come up with ideas that we can come out of these bad times. When Irish people have their backs to the wall we come out fighting and we'll rise to be the country we were and still are."
On accepting the person of the year award, sponsored by Noel Tynan of the Celt Lodge & Bar, Attracta Brady, Chairperson of the Fleadh organising committee, asked all her fellow committee members to join her centre stage.
"We're honoured and privileged and we are looking forward to 2009. It is going to take an awful lot of money. It takes n750,00 to run the Fleadh and we do this in our spare time. We are immensely proud of Tullamore and our county. We married the idea of our favourite town with our favourite music." She also thanks Taoiseach Cowen for his huge support.
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Weather for Tullamore
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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Sunny spells
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