Volunteer of the year awards this weekend
Pictured on February 1, 1957 at the funeral of Canon John Hayes founder of Muintir na T�re, in Bansha, Co. Tipperary: the Taoiseach John A Costello, TD; with ministers James Dillon TD and Richard Mulcahy TD; in the back ground is Oliver J Flanagan, TD, Laois Offaly.
the 75th anniversary of Muintir na Tíre begins in fitting form with the inaugural ‘TASK Volunteer of the Year Awards’ taking place this Saturday, February 4 in Bansha.
The McGrath GAA Centre will stage the awards which, for the very first time, recognise those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the work of Muintir na Tíre and to their own community during 2011. Regional and national award winners will be announced on the day in the categories of ‘Community Development’ and ‘Community Alert’ and the national winners will each receive a cheque for €1,000. This is the inaugural year of the awards which are sponsored by TASK Community Care and will be presented by presented by Seán Kelly, MEP and former president of the GAA.
The programme for the day in Bansha will commence at 11am with the celebration of Mass in Bansha Parish Church for the late John Canon Hayes, founder of Muintir na Tíre, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of his death, and for deceased members of the organisation nationwide. The late Canon Hayes was Parish Priest of Bansha/Kilmoyler from April 1946 until his death on January 30, 1957. Such was the influence of Canon Hayes on rural Ireland that the then Taoiseach, John A Costello, along with the Ministers for Education, Agriculture, Lands and Posts and Telegraphs and the leader of the opposition Eamon Da Valera, all attended his funeral in Bansha, which took place on February 1, 1957. Canon Hayes is buried in Bansha Graveyard and following the anniversary mass on February 4, his nieces and nephew will assemble at 11.45am to lay a wreath at his grave.
Following the wreath laying ceremony, the TASK Volunteer of the Year Awards will take place in the McGrath GAA Centre at 12pm. Minister Kelly TD, will be joined by a number of dignitaries and representatives of TASK Community Care for the announcement and presentation of the 2011 awards. Last year, 2011, was the European Year of the Volunteer and Muintir na Tíre is recognising and rewarding the efforts of its volunteers nationally with this awards scheme. Applications were received from affiliated units throughout the country and the judges have selected a number of regional winners in the two categories, and one overall national winner in each category.
Muintir na Tíre is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and the first Guild was founded in Tipperary Town in February 1957. A number of events will be held throughout the year to mark this milestone of the National Community Development Organisation.
Muintir na Tíre is deeply saddened at the passing of a former national president, Michael J Lynch, who made an enormous contribution to the organisation and who served two terms as national president. The organisation wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to his wife Betty, sons David, John and Peter, daughter Ann and extended family members on the great loss.
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Weather for Clonmel
Saturday 19 May 2012
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