Newly elected GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail was the guest of honour at The Downs GAA Club on Tuesday of this week, 3 March, in what was one of his first official engagements since taking office.
Mr Ó Fearghail, who only took over from Liam O’Neill at the GAA Congress in Cavan last Saturday, said he was delighted to attend The Downs GAA Club where he planted a tree to signify the club’s close links with the nearby National School.
Each year, Cumann Na mBunscol at national level plant a tree for National Tree Week and this year they chose The Downs GAA Club as their location. The close link between the GAA club and The Downs National School, which will soon undergo major development, is seen as hugely significant and the GAA President, himself a school Principal, spoke of the importance of community spirit.
Derek Butler, Principal of The Downs National School, Patrick Doherty, Chairman of The Downs GAA Club, and Éanna Ní Lamhna, representing the Tree Council of Ireland, all spoke at Tuesday’s tree planting ceremony.
The fact that The Downs GAA Club and The Downs National School are located side by side is very significant and the community spirit was very evident, with pupils from the school in attendance. Afterwards, the new GAA President was entertained in The Downs GAA Centre, where the All-Ireland Scór Na nÓg Léiriú champions put on another excellent performance.
The musicians from The Downs National School also performed and there was a great embodiment of community spirit, with refreshments laid on for all in attendance.
NEW BUILDING
“It’s a very positive development. We’re close to the school and they use our facilities; we’re delighted they do and the tree planting ceremony cements the great relationship we have and signifies the community spirit that’s very evident in The Downs,” said Patrick Doherty.
The new building at The Downs National School will replace the existing and outdated prefabs, providing the growing community of The Downs with a modern learning facility. Extra land has been purchased to the rear of the school (adjacent to The Downs GAA grounds), with The Downs NS Board of Management and Parents Group working together to bring that phase of the project to fruition.
The Department of Education are funding the project through the Prefab Replacement Scheme.
Westmeath GAA were represented at Tuesday’s ceremony by County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan, and Secretary, James Savage. Local TDs Willie Penrose and Robert Troy were in attendance, as was Cllr Paddy Hill, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council.
