Jim O’Riordan receives Pat Trainor Award and Success for Kilcoole
The annual Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol National Awards took place this year in the Sligo Park Hotel on the 8th March. The Garden County had a very successful and enjoyable night in Sligo. Jim O’Riordan, stalwart of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin, and current Leas-Cathaoirleach was a most worthy recipient of the Pat Trainor Memorial Award for 2019, for lifetime achievement and commitment to the promotion of Gaelic games in our primary schools. Jim attended the awards, with his wife Ann, and after the presentation received a standing ovation for his speech. Jim, a proud Cork man, began his lifelong obsession of Gaelic Games in St. Finbar’s GAA club in Togher, Cork, where the famous Jimmy Barry Murphy (a dual All Ireland Winner with Cork) was fortunate enough to share the same pitch as him once upon a time! He spread his love for Gaelic games across the Atlantic to the Windy City in the summer of 1974 where he was highly sought after by the local GAA clubs there! It was no surprise that after his move to the Garden County in 1978 that he became pivotal to the promotion and development of Gaelic games and culture in his local club and school in Newtownmountkennedy and throughout Wicklow. Jim and his family have strong links to the local GAA club. Both of his sons have represented Wicklow at a senior intercounty level, an achievement of which he is very proud. His grandchildren today grace the field of the local club, following in the footsteps of their grandad. Briseann an dúchas trí shúile an chait. Jim, a friend to all, a man of his word, but most of all a true gentleman. The influence of teachers like Jim O’Riordan should not be underestimated. All in Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin thank him for his continued service, wish him well in his retirement and congratulate him on his award, what an honour! Tá an coiste thar a bheith brodúil as an sár-obair atá déanta aige thar na blianta fada a chaith sé linn mar runaí, mar oifigeach peile, mar chathaoirleach agus go mór mhór mar chara.
The success of the night did not end there! Kilcoole Primary School also brought home awards, claiming 2nd place in both the ‘Large School of the Year’ and the ‘INTO 150th Year Celebration Award’ categories; as well as 3rd place in ‘Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture’ category. This is a countrywide competition so it is wonderful news that Wicklow was so well represented and achieved such success. Well done to all involved, it is testament to the commitment of those involved in the promotion of Gaelic games and culture in our schools. Representatives from the Garden County on the night included Jim O’Riordan, Sinéad Ní Chrean Loinsigh, Míchéal Ó Murchú, and from Kilcoole PS, Joanne McDonagh, Emer Fahy, Claire Bowden, Claire Frawley, Eve Whyte and Pamela McDermott.
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