Rith 2010 is the new national festival which commenced in Ireland on March 9th and will finish on St Patrick’s Day, and is one of the main events of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Irish language Week.   It is a Relay Race over a distance of 1600km, with entrants running from morning to night. Denise FitzGerald Reports | Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

A special hand-carved baton has been designed which carries a hidden message throughout Rith 2010. At the end of the run, the message of support for the Irish language, written by Mary

Rith 2010 is a brand new way to celebrate the Irish language and culture in a way that is visual, fun, community based and which can be celebrated throughout the island of Ireland. Rith 2010 also aims to raise money to create a new fund for the promotion of the Irish language in the community.

On Saturday last, March 13th, at Youghal Town Hall, the Eochaill Óg U-8s were waiting with barely suppressed excitement for the passing over of the Baton.  When the runners eventually arrived to much applause and cheers, the first handing over of the Baton was to young Oisín Hill who escorted it proudly as far as the Devonshire Arms Hotel where it was passed to Shane Wood.  The next hand over was at the Clock Gate where Shane, with great aplomb, gave it onwards to the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr McLellan who very quickly passed it to Micheal Walsh.   Various members of the Eochaill Óg U-8s were honoured to run a short distance with the Baton where, at the end of Cork Hill, it was passed over to members of the Senior Club who had the distinction of running to Gortroe to pass it onwards to St. Ita’s GAA Club.

Youghal were delighted to be part of a historic occasion, the very first Rith in Ireland, and as was said on the day “running is real and relatively simple, but it ain’t easy….”  the answer to which someone very seriously replied “we can’t all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by!”

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