Macra debaters win national senior final

What a weekend it has been in Freemount Macra! Our senior debating team of Sinead Guiney, Cian Daly, Kate Bourke and Thomas Stritch defeated Ballyhoura Macra in the National Final at the National AGM in Kilkenny on Saturday.

Opposing the motion that the ' Dairy boom is the next property bubble' the team gave a unified and intelligent performance that secured the National title for Freemount.

Ably coached by Louise Bourke, who was part of the team that won the National Senior Debating title in 2012, the team faced their Regional neighbours, Ballyhoura, in a repeat of the Regional Final from a number of months ago.

With assistance from Michael Curtin and several others from within and outside the club that have aided along the way the team have worked tremendously hard since last January and it great to see their efforts rewarded.

Huge congratulations also to Thomas Stritch who was awarded Best Debater on the night after a powerful display.

Special thanks to everyone who supported the team along the way, giving up their time and making big journeys to support them.

The four have now also booked themselves a place on the National Prizewinners Trip next October where they will be joined by our National Capers Title Winning Team for what promises to be a great weekend.

Massive congratulations also to current club secretary Mary Anne Murphy on taking over as the new Avondhu National Council Representative at the AGM and on getting elected to National Executive in her first year on council. This is a great achievement.

Several club members took part in the Pieta House Darkness to Light Walk in the early hours of Saturday morning, and The Capers cast and crew were back on stage last Friday night May 9th to perform for the Edel Quinn Hall's 60th Anniversary Celebrations.

TEA PARTY DANCE

The Thursday Club Bealtaine Tea Party Dance will be held in The Community Centre Freemount on this Sunday afternoon May 18 at 2.30pm. Music will be with the one and only Billy O Brien and his music and singing.

Transport can also be provided if required. Please ring 022-28682 or 022-28781.

FUNRUN

Freemount

National School are holding a fun run/walk on Sunday 18th May, it is a 4 mile ring beginning at the Heritage Centre @ 2.00 pm. Please support this walk as all proceeds are in aid of new School equipment

GET IN SHAPE

Anyone interested in walking the Freemount ring (4 miles) come join us In the hall yard on Monday and Thursday nights @ 8 pm Freemount GAA lotto There was no winner of last week's Lotto.Numbers drawn were: 9- 21 -25 -29. Lucky Dip winners were: 1 Mark Ballantyne, Freemount; 2 Willie O’Regan, Glounicommane, Freemount 3 Pat Keane ,Freemount; 4 Amy Fitzgerald, Liscarroll; 5 Liam O’Flynn, Lismire. The jackpot this week is €7850

AROUND THE FIRESIDE

The next programme of Around the Fireside will be broadcast on Monday night next May 19

th. at 9.50pm.. We have The Duhallow Bealtaine Groups back again to talk about the balance of this years Bealtaine programme. Don't miss it at the usual time of 9.50pm.

COMHALTAS CONCERT

The next Concert in Cois Alla will be on Thursday night May 29. This will be a special Bealtaine Concert with a difference . On the night we will have singers,and storytellers from all over Duhallow. Every song or story must have a Duhallow theme. We believe we will have up to 30 singers on the night.!!

Make a note of the date Thursday May 29 and make sure you book your seat for the night. Full details later. If you would like to sing a Duhallow song please get in touch with us by ringing 02228664/022-28756.Or if you want to book a seat.

CHURCH AFFAIRS.

Sunday morning Mass. AT 10.30am.

Rosary at the Grotto after Mass

The Weekly Holy Hour will be held on Mondays at 7.30pm.

USED POSTAGE STAMPS

If you have used stamps you can hand them into The Heritage Centre any morning.

FREEMOUNT HISTORY WEBSITE

If you would like to keep up with the progress of our History website,please log on to www.freemountvillage.com. Youmight see your own photo.!!!!!We would also like to hear from you.

Macra’s All-Ireland Debating champions from Freemount Macra, Avondhu, Co. Cork are pictured after the competition final in Hotel Kilkenny. They are (left to right) Cian Daly, Kate Bourke, Sinead Guiney, and Thomas Stritch. Thomas also won the Peter Murphy Memorial Trophy for Best Debater. Below: The runners-up from Ballyhoura Macra: Abina McCarthy, Aisling O'Driscoll, Maria Roche and Caitriona Fox. Photo: Pat Moore