All roads from Warrenpoint lead to the Waterfront in Belfast this weekend for the All Ireland final. Dancing in Warrenpoint is something of a given, St Peter’s dancers have been closely associated with Ceili and Set dancing for many years, with Club Stalwarts Moya McCormack, Liam O’Hare and Eddie McGennity leading the dancers on the well beaten wooden floors in Mary Street. More recently at the helm is Club Cultural Officer Carmel McGrath who herself is still dancing in the ladies team along with John Campbell who is now known as the team mascot! Carmel has mentored some of the current team from an early age through Scór nanÓg, this being their first year entering the senior competition.
Under the guidance of teacher and dancer Turlough O’Neill the dancers, including Eamonn Burns, Micheal McAnulty, Oisin McCann, Aine Murphy, Ciara Tinnelly, Shannon Goss and Sinead Rice have progressed as South Down Champions, County Champions and most recently Ulster Champions, what a year it has been for the young team. Juggling school, work, university, Irish dancing practice and Scórpractice has not been easy for the dancers but they have given total commitment and their determination to lift their first All Ireland Scór title for the club in over 30 years is endearing.
Carmel said, “this is their ultimate dream, a place in the All Ireland Final. The preparations have been intense and tough but these talented young dancers have been putting the finishing touches to what they hope will be a winning Ceili performance on Saturday. I, we are all so proud of them!”
The people of Cumann Pheadair Naofa and the wider Warrenpoint Community are excited, looking forward to and anticipating a fantastic day out on Saturday. We as a club are extremely proud of our Ulster Champions and win or lose come Saturday the dancers can hold their heads high in knowing they have made their family, club and county proud.
On behalf of the whole Warrenpoint community the club would like to wish Turlough, Eamonn, Micheal, Oisin, Turlough, Aine, Ciara, Shannon and Sinead, Clonduff Ballad Group and Burren quiz team the very best of luck, what a wonderful day for the County of Down.
For those travelling on the supporters buses to the final on Saturday 6 May, the buses will leave St Mark’s a 1230pm sharp and depart from The Waterfront Hall at 10pm (or there abouts). Everyone will return to the clb where our All Ireland Finalists will be welcomed home.
Club Celebrations for La na gClubanna on Sunday 7 May
As part of the Cumann Pheadair Naofa La Na gClubanna celebrations on Sunday 7 May 2017, Club members, both past and present, who are living overseas will be remembered at a special Mass in St. Peter’s Church at 11am. If you would like your family member to be remembered, names and country of residence can be forwarded to Club Secretary Anne McCormack by e mail to secretary.warrenpoint.down @gaa.ie or contact 07808946182. The La Na gClubanna Mass on 7 May will be streamed live on www.mcnmedia.tv
Directly after mass the club will welcome the community back to the clubrooms in Mary Street for tea/coffee and sweet delights, more importantly reminiscing and craic with old and new friends.
The celebrations will end with a performance of our Irish Play ‘An Gadaí’ based on a short story by Patrick Pearse. The performance will take place in Warrenpoint Town Hall at 730pm and admission is free, there will be a raffle on the night. People are then invite back to the social club to purchase their lotto tickets and be there for the live draw.
Only Two Weeks Left – 10K and 5K on the Bay
With only two weeks before the 4th Annual Cumann Pheadair Naofa 10KM and 5Km on the Bay, final preparations are ongoing for the event taking place this year on Sunday 21 May 2017 at 10.30AM. Race organisers Declan Ryan, Micheal Moore and Fergie Bradley are confident this year will be the biggest event in terms of number since the event began. Runners will receive a specially commissioned club medal at this chipped event. Entry is £12 and registration begins at 8am on Sunday 21 May in the clubrooms. New this year is a live tour of the 10K route recorded by club photographer Conrad Madden. This can be viewed on social media giving runners step by step view of the whole route.
This year also sees the introduction of a charity walk with donations from the walk for the KBRT and Newry Hospice. Please keep an eye on our social media pages for routes, updates and times.
