Riverstown

MORRISON FESTIVAL

Riverstown’s 25th James Morrison Festival which took place recently was a wonderful success. In his official opening Labhrás Ó’Murchú, Ard Stiúrthóir CCE, praised the achievements of the Riverstown Branch of Comhaltas and welcomed the Government announcement, of a further Capital Grant towards improvements at the Teach Ceoil. Tribute was also paid to Seán and Kathleen Lyons for 15 years of unstinting service to Comhaltas.

The Commemorative Concert, was recorded on Radio na Gaeltachta and Shannonside Radio. Over 30 young sean- nós dancers took part in the John Callaghan Memorial Seán- nós Dancing Competition with Trophy going to Darragh Morley from Mayo. In the commemorative address Marie Walsh took a ‘ look back’ at the festival over the past twenty five years.

During his homily at Aifreann na Féile, Fr AB O’Shea complimented Riverstown CCE on honouring Pádraig Scanlon, one of the area’s best known community workers. The Symposium honoured the life and times of Pádraig Scanlon. ( Paraic), a native of Doo, Ballymote, who was described as ‘ The Rolls Royce of Community Workers’. Since the first Morrison Festival in 1993, Paraic has tended the Morrison Memorial, decorated the village with bunting and helped to ensure that all venues were duly prepared for the various festival events.

During a packed event at the Morrison Teach Ceoil tributes were paid to Paraic from Pádraig Kerins, Martin Baker, John McDermott, Arrow Harps, The show and Heritage Committee, Tidy Towns and Community Games Committees and Cancer Care West. Many thanks to Margaret Kilfeather and her catering staff for extending such a genuine ‘ Céad míle Fáilte’ to the visiting musicians and followers.

COMMUNITY GAMES

Riverstown Community Games will be holding a church gate collection on Saturday, August 26, and August 27 in local churches. Any support would be greatly appreciated. This team was George Barlow, Brian Dwyer, Owen Elding, James Foley,