Ceol agus craic at 'Rambling House' get together in Offaly

OFFALY Older Person’s Network celebrated Positive Ageing Week with a very successful and entertaining Rambling House event, on Thursday last, October 3, in Tullamore Rugby Club.

The Rugby Club function room was an excellent location for this event which aimed to recreate the old rambling house where people enjoyed an evening of music, song, stories and craic.
The evening started off with Molly Buckley welcoming everyone on behalf of Offaly Older Person’s Network and handed over to Bean an Ti, Margaret Guinan.

First up was Alice Carroll who recited a very appropriate poem about a Threshing. Next to entertain was Frances Kawala, with some songs and a poem. Chorus Connections Choir followed with a melody of songs – very well received.
During the break Beth Wogan from Family Carers Ireland outlined the caring supports that are available in Offaly. Beth thanked Barney Cuskelly and Mary Egan for the lovely hampers as excellent prizes for the raffle.

After the break Fear an Ti Johnny Butterfield and friends entertained with music song recitations and jokes. Many of these songs, recitations and music were played throughout the years in rambling houses throughout the county with most of the performers continuing to do so monthly in The Thatch, Crinkill and Dan & Mollys in Ballyboy. Long may they continue to do so and this event shows that there is an appetite for similar rambling house style entertainment

The great entertainers included, Johnny Butterfield, Richard Casey, Joe O Shea, Robert Spain, Danny Guinan, Sean Brown, Joe Kearns, Paddy Guinan, Sean Kennedy, Paud Mulhare, Rosie and Paddy Lohan, who travelled from Roscommon to entertain us with their brilliant stories. Laughter rang out throughout the evening – such good medicine!

Alice Carroll recited ‘Corinagh Long Ago’ written by Tom Murtagh which received great applause.
As the evening drew to a close Molly Buckley thanked all the musicians and entertainers who eagerly expressed interest to take part of this Positive Ageing Week event.

Thanks, were also extended to doormen Johnny Carroll and Jim Buckley. Thanks also to Tullamore Rugby Club were also excellent partners in providing the venue and supports to host what was a most interesting and entertaining event. Thanks was also extended to sound engineer Dave Peyton who ensured that everyone could hear the entertainers.

Molly thanked fellow Offaly Older Persons Network members who organised the event, Alice Carroll, Frances Kawala, Ann Teahan, Bridie Costello Hynes, Beth Wogan and the supports from Age Friendly Alliance and Declan Costello, Offaly Local Development Company, Finally if you wish to find out more information about Offaly Older Person’s Network please feel free to contact: Declan at 087 6991226 or dcostello@offalyldc.ie.