The AGM of Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage was held recently at O’ Donovan’s Hotel with a large crowd in attendance!
Cathaoirleach Tim Feen welcomed all and gave an overview of another busy year for the organisation, which organised activities practically every month. He thanked everyone for their support and paid tribute to the various sub-committees who all work diligently and effectively throughout the year.
The establishment a few months ago of the West Cork History Societies Association – an umbrella group for all the local history and heritage groups in West Cork was welcomed and William Casey spoke about this initiative during the meeting. Pádraig O’ Reilly, Pavilion Manager and the Clonakilty GAA Club were thanked for facilitating the monthly lectures so efficiently.
Fachtna McCarthy, AGM Minutes Recording Secretary, read the detailed account of last years AGM.
Reps from the various sub-committees - Lectures and Field Trips (Marian O’ Leary); Journal (Con O’ Neill); Preservation (Clíodhna O’ Leary); Big Cross 125th Commemoration (Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin); Website and Mayoral Council delivered their reports.
Rúnaí Marian O’ Leary reported there were eight well attended lectures, two films, a number of fieldtrips, heritage week events and a three-day trip away to Newgrange and Knowth with stops on the way to and back at other points of historical interest in September which was enjoyed by 24 members.
Fachtna McCarthy outlined the Treasurers Report and PRO Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin thanked the local print, broadcast and website media organs and journalists for publicising events during the year, and spoke about the growing popularity of the Facebook page.
Looking forward, the AGM noted that 2024 marks the centenary of the re-location of the Clonakilty Post Office to the former Presbyterian Church and is also the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI and Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage will mark these occasions. May will see the screening of “Rebel Wife” the film on the life of Mary Jane Irwin at Clonakilty Cinema.
On June 8th, the unique Clonakilty Mayoral Election (held every five years) will again take place and Tomás Tuipéar and Jerome JC O’ Sullivan outlined the plans for same and that sub-committee was re-activated to oversee, plan and organise the upcoming election and count and installation of the newly-elected Mayor for 2024-2025.
The committee elected for the coming year included: Tim Feen, (Cathaoirleach); Michael O’ Mahony, (Leas Cathaoirleach); Marian O’ Leary, (Rúnaí); Barbara McGuirk, (Leas Rúnaí); Fachtna McCarthy, (Cisteoir); Michael O’ Sullivan, (Leas Chisteoir); Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, (PRO); Con O’ Neill, (Asst. PRO); AGM Recording Secretary: Fachtna McCarthy. Committee members: Don Hill, Seán Brennan.
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