Gael Linn prize for Delvin pupils

Pupils from St. Ernan"s National School, Delvin were recipients of two special merit awards at Coirm Gael Linn festival, at Mullingar Arts Centre.A troupe of St. Ernan"s schoolgoers took part in the one-day festival, at which primary schools present a twenty minute variety show "as Gaeilge", with a theme of their own choice.Participating pupils benefit from the festival, as a platform to show off their musical and dramatic talents, while developing a closer relationship with the Irish language.While Coirm Gael Linn is not a contest, the Delvin pupils received two merit award trophies from the competition reviewer, Brídín Nic Dhonncha (Gráinne from TG4"s "Ros na Rún") for their great team spirit, and a marvellous performance by the cast.The play chosen by the St. Ernan"s pupils and teachers was a Gaelic rendition of the classic folk tale, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" - transformed into "An Piobaire Breac" by the pupils.Almost 400 young people from schools in Counties Meath, Westmeath and Kildare took to the stage on the day. Such is the interest in Coirm Gael Linn that nine such festivals have taken place nationwide over the past few weeks. By providing a pleasant fun-filled environment at each, the organizers hope to cultivate a positive attitude towards the Irish language and to promote its use among young people.Delvin learns of rebel IrelandDelvin Historical Society drew another great crowd to Carmel Gaffney"s Bar and Lounge, Main Street, Delvin on Friday night last, to hear Mullingar historian, Ruth Illingworth give a lecture about the 1641 Rebellion.Having already had the pleasure of presenting former Dúchas chief archaelogist David Sweetman and well-known Westmeath historian Micheál Ó Conluain, Delvin Historical Society was delighted to have the opportunity to introduce an historian of Ruth"s standing to a Delvin audience.We"ve all heard about the risings of 1916 and 1798, but not as many will have delved into the history of the rebellion of 1641 - an attempted coup d"état by Irish Catholic gentry, which developed into violent civil conflict between native Irish Catholics and Protestant settlers from England and Scotland.The rebellion and subsequent war ended in the 1650s, when Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army completed a brutal reconquest of the island.In Ruth"s informative talk, lecture-goers learned that a major part of the planning for the 1641 Rebellion centred on the Franciscan friary at Multyfarnham, and resulted in thousands of deaths across the country in a series of sectarian massacres carried out by all sides. Many atrocities were carried out, and many lost life and property in both Meath and Westmeath.Delvin Historical Society"s honorary president, John Gavin, is the next lecturer due on the podium at Gaffney"s, and this will take place in mid-April - one of three scheduled before the summer trip and walking tour. Further details about these lectures will be announced next week.If you have a love of history, then don"t hesitate to come along to one of the society"s lectures over the coming months, and to join the group - entitling you to an annual subscription for lectures and outings - contact Paul Hughes (Treasurer) or Bernadette Clancy (Secretary) for more details.Delvin school to mark 40 yearsThe students, teachers and past pupils of St. Tola"s National School, Delvin are planning to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Hiskinstown school"s opening in the near future.The committee organising the event are currently seeking articles, photographs or information of interest, all of which can be sent to the school. For more details, phone (044) 9664457.Planning for the event is in its initial stages, with the celebrations to run over a weekend in June. There will be another meeting in St Tola"s on Monday night, March 2 at 9pm, and it is hoped that past pupils from all eras will attend to ensure that events or occasions from the past will be remembered in the magazine being produced to record the occasion.Delvin Community Games Art/Quiz winnersThe winners of the local Community Games art competition held in St. Patrick"s Hall, Delvin recently were as follows:Girls Under 8 - 1st Shelley Smith, 2nd Chloe Smith, 3rd Ciara Smith; Boys Under 8 - 1st Keith Lynch, 2nd Enda Gaffney, 3rd Owen Quinn.Girls Under 10 - 1st Megan O"Keeffe, 2nd Hannah Ivory, 3rd Shauna Monaghan; Boys Under 10 - 1st Ben Lynch, 2nd Cian Farrelly, 3rd Danny McGrath.Girls Under 12 - 1st Emma Williams, 2nd Holly Keegan, 3rd Lauren Anderson; Boys Under 12 - 1st Damon Flynn, 2nd Dylan Vaughan, 3rd Jonah Kelly.Girls Under 14 - 1st Karen Gaffney, 2nd Shauna Flynn, 3rd Catherine Smyth; Boys Under 14 - 1st Oisín Quinn, 2nd Nathan Hatton, 3rd Glen Gaffney.Boys Under 16 - 1st Gary Flynn.All children who came first in their age group will represent Delvin at the County Finals in April, and will be informed of the date shortly.The quiz teams representing Delvin at Under 14 level include: Oisín Quinn, Eadaoín Dolan, Karen Gaffney, Catherine Smyth, Niall Gaffney, Conor Gaffney, Shauna Flynn and Fiachra Bray.