Council pays tribute to local achievers
THOSE from the Gorey District who distinguished themselves in a variety of fields at national or international level over the past year were honoured at a special ceremony at the Gorey civic offices recently.
They were congratulated by the Cathaoirleach of the Gorey Municipal District Pip Breen and his fellow Councillors and Council officials.
Among the recipients were: Kyle Murphy, who became the European 8-Ball champion; Gorey Choral Group, who were crowned national choir champions; and Dara Tunistra of Gorey Educate Together, who was last year’s national Spelling Bee champion.
Also honoured was young pool player Jordan Doyle, the U23 All-Ireland Pool champion, who has set a record as being the only player to win all the All-Ireland singles titles at U15, U18, and U23 level.
There were awards too for the talented pupils of Craanford National School, who won the prestigious Walton’s Music for Schools competition,.
There was recognition for Go- rey Community School teacher Eleanor O’Reilly who won the RTÉ Radio 1 Francis MacManus short story competition.
Also acknowledged were three members of the Gorey Venture Scout Group who last November came to the assistance of a walker in serious difficulty on the top of Lugnaquilla mountain in Wicklow.
Winners at Bloom 2016 were also honoured, including: Clologue NS who were commended by the judges for their postcard garden entry; local nurseries that received gold medals for their displays in the Floral and Nursery pavilion, including Camolin Potting Shed, Springmount Garden Centre, and Kilmurry Nursery; and Landbarn Nursery which was awarded a silver medal.
A special presentation of a painting was made on the evening to Gorey Credit Union to mark its 50th anniversary, while local Methodist Minister Rev Steven Foster, was presented with a Robert O’Connor wood turned bowl. Rev Foster is leaving Gorey for a new post in Co Fermanagh, and he was thanked for his contribution to the town.