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Youghal Town Council accorded a civic reception to Kathleen Keniry at the council chambers on Saturday Night ( 14th Nov. 2009). A large audience representing past and present pupils, dance teachers, family and friends were present to celebrate Kathleen’s 50 years teaching of Irish dance and culture in the town.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com
Kathleen Keniry with the Mayor of Youghal Sandra McLellan and past students Helen O’Brien, Mary Murphy, Eleanor Barry, Brigid Hughes and Margaret Carey
Speech by Mayor of Youghal Sandra McLellan at the civic reception held in The Mall House to honour Kathleen Keniry.
“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you all here this evening to this civic reception to honour Mrs Keniry for bringing Irish dance and culture to Youghal for the past 50 years.
Its always a pleasure to celebrate a long career of dedicated service.
Mrs Keniry qualified with An Commisiun 55 years ago and like her father before her began to teach Irish Dancing in Midleton.
Her dad had a small business in Youghal on the main street and Youghal was like a second home to her, so it was inevitable that Mrs Keniry was going to start teaching Irish Dance Classes here in Youghal.
She began her first lessons here in the Town Hall 50 years ago. Among some of her first pupils were Helen Loughman O’Brien, Bridget Hughes Eleanor Seward Barry and Margaret Carey. Over the years she moved to the League of the Cross and the Community Centre where she never missed a Wednesday.
Some of her pupils went on to achieve great honours. She was rewarded by winning an eight hand reel, a three hand reel and by Marguerite Savage winning the Individual Award at the All Ireland Championships.
She was a founder member of An Comdhail Muinteori na Rince Gaelic which was founded in Glasgow in 1970. She will be returning to Glasgow next year to celebrate its 40th Anniversary as President of the organisation. That is some achievement.
She also became an adjudicator over 30 years ago.
I would like to congratulate you on all you have achieved throughout your 50 years of dedication and commitment for the benefit of the people of Youghal and surrounding areas.
Mrs Keniry Thank you so much and enjoy the rest of your evening.
I would now like to make a presentation to you on behalf of Youghal Town Council”.
Mrs Kathleen Keniry’s speech
She firstly thanked sincerely Youghal Town Council for the honour bestowed on her with this Civic Reception. She very much appreciated it. She told of how she opened her school in Youghal in 1950 and the first pupils through her door were Brigid Hughes, Helen O’Brien, Eleanor Barry and Mary Murphy. She has enjoyed every minute of those years. The pupils were always a pleasure to teach but without the parents there would not have been a dancing class. Many of those parents now have children and grandchildren who are pupils today. Their support was invaluable. She thanked all the teachers down the years. She was delighted to see such a large gathering tonight, including pupils, parents and teachers. And NO, contrary to rumours, SHE IS NOT RETIRING!
Click on image to see the civic reception accorded to Kathleen
Youghal Town Council accorded a civic reception to Youghal man Christy Cooney, President of the GAA at the council chambers on Monday night (19th Oct. 2009). A large audience representing members of Youghal GAA club and Christy’s family and friends were present to honour the Youghal native who heads the largest sporting organisation in the country.
Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com
President of the GAA, Christy Cooney with members of Youghal Town Council: Seated Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, President of the GAA Christy Cooney, Mayor Sandra McLellan, Deputy Mayor Michelle Hennessy and Cllr. Barbara Murray MCC. Standing: Cllr's Liam Burke, Eoin Coyne, Michael Beecher and Sammy Revins
Speech by Mayor of Youghal Sandra McLellan at the civic reception held in The Mall House to honour Youghal native Christy Cooney, President of the GAA.
“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you all here this evening.
On behalf of Youghal Town Council it gives me great pleasure to honour Christy Cooney, a native of Youghal with this Civic Reception in recognition of his achievement in becoming president of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Christy has given a lifetime service to the G.A.A. both as a player and administrator at all levels.
He was secretary of the Youghal Juvenile Club at just 16 years of age. He represented Youghal at both East Cork and County Level and held every position within the Youghal Club down through the years. He was also Chairman of the Youghal Club for 2 terms, Chairman of the Cork County Board, Chairman of the Munster Council and now currently President of the GAA.
Id like to pay tribute to all of Christys family especially his wife Ann, his daughter Edel, and his son Patrick who lives in Australia because I know it was a team effort.
Id also like to mention Christys parents Paddy and Agnes who would have been very proud of him.
Christy, The people of Youghal are very proud of you on your fantastic achievement and I am delighted all your hard work and dedication has paid off.”
Click on image to see the civic reception accorded to Christy Cooney, President of the GAA at the Mall Arts Centre, Town Hall, Youghal
Speech by Mayor of Youghal Olly Casey at the civic reception held in The Mall House to honour Youghal native Bree Rosney retired Matron of Youghal Community Hospital and Hospice - Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
Councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a signal honour, for my fellow councillors and myself to welcome here tonight Bree Rosney, who for so long has served our community here in Youghal.
Mayor Olly Casey presents a glass insignia of the Youghal Coat of Arms to Bree Rosney with fellow Youghal Town Councillors
I would first like to say that Bree’s entire life is one of dedication and commitment, first to her family and then to the community which she served with excellence down the years.
Bree returned from nursing in England, in the early 1980′s, to look after her family, mother, father, brothers. She did this with unselfish love and dedication, which was to be the hallmark of her service to Youghal Community Hospital.
Bree commenced her career in the hospital as a staff nurse and became Matron after the Nuns left Youghal in 1985, a post she held up to her retirement in this year, 2008.
As matron, Bree soon started to Read more
By Christy Parker | Photo:Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
Youghal Comhaltas unveiled several important developments for 2008 at a civic reception hosted by the Town Council last week. Over 200 hundred members, families, friends and dignitaries attended the 90-minute event, and were also witness to the demonstrations of the marvellous talents in music, song and dance that has brought Comhaltas Craobh Eochaile high acclaim locally, nationally and Read more
