Cumann na mbunscol

Night of Celebration in Páirc an Chrócaigh

Saturday 21 November was a night of celebration in Páirc an Chrócaigh as Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta held its annual awards, a scheme that honours schools and units of Cumann na mBunscol that achieve a high standard in the promotion of Gaelic Games. This year the ceremony returned to Dublin after being hosted in Kilkenny in 2007 and 2008. As 2009 is the 125 anniversary of the founding of the GAA it was fitting that the awards were held in Croke Park. This year’s awards were sponsored by Cornmarket Group Financial Services. The assessors were former INTO presidents Denis Bohane, Angela Dunne and Declan Kelleher along with Ivan Ahern from Cornmarket. There was an increase in the number of submissions this year and each assessor remarked that the standard was extremely high. Following the formalities of the evening, guests danced the night away to the sound of Avalon. Another memorable night indeed!

Brother Anselm Receives Pat Trainor Hall of Fame Award

To anyone who is involved with Gaelic Games and Cumann na mBunscol Port Láirge, the winner of the 2009 Pat Trainor Hall of fame Award needs no introduction. Brother Anselm, a member of the de la Salle Order is a most worthy recipient. Bro. Anselm was nominated by the Coiste in Port Láirge as a result of his efforts in making Gaelic Games the games of choice of Ireland’s primary school children, long before this aspiration was enshrined in More than Just Child’s Play, Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta’s strategic plan 2007-2012. Bro. Anselm established and organised Cumann na mBunscol, firstly in East Waterford and subsequently in mid Waterford and the wider county. He has held many offices and performed numerous roles during his time in Waterford: treasurer and secretary of East Waterford Cumann na mBunscol, founder and treasurer of Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan, and he is currently treasurer of Cumann na mBunscol Port Láirge and Uachtarán of Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan. As joint secretary/treasurer in the early nineteen eighties Bro. Anselm kept organized games alive in the primary schools in East Waterford. Later after the expansion of Cumann na mBunscol Port Láirge in 1992 he worked as Eastern Secretary arranging divisions, fixtures, venues, final days for all schools competitions throughout the school year. Bro. Anselm played a vital role in organizing county finals with schools from the east and west of the county. As equipment officer he took orders from schools, dealt with suppliers and arranged the storage and distribution of all hurleys, footballs, helmets, sliotars etc. to schools.As county treasurer Bro. Anselm has given over eleven years of service to the Board taking care of all aspects of our finances and presenting an accurate set of accounts at AGMs. His knowledge of grants, subsidies and entitlements is second to none.
Bro. Anselm travelled to Munster meetings as Munster Treasurer and later as Waterford delegate between 1990 and 2000.He was involved in the establishment of a hurling and football coaching scheme for boys and girls in all Waterford primary schools in association with the Waterford County GAA Board, a scheme that still thrives. Bro. Anselm is indeed a worthy recipient of the Pat Trainor Hall of Fame Award, an award that is dedicated to the memory of a former treasurer of Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta.

And the 2009 winners are:

1. Pat Trainor Hall of Fame Award
Bro. Anselem Port Láirge

2. Gaelic Games Promotion of the Year
1Annacarthy N.S. Co Thiobraid Árann
2 Doon CBS, Co. Luimnigh

3. Large School of the Year
1Beaumont BNS, Corcaigh
Patrickswell NS, Co. Luimnigh
St. Malachy’s PS, Castlewellan, Co.an Dúin

4. Small School of the Year
1 Doon CBS, Co. Limerick
2 St. Mary’s PS, Mullymesker, Co. Fermanagh
3St. Joseph’s PS, Madden, Armagh

5. Publication of the Year
1.Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Luimnigh
2.Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Dhún na nGall
3.Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Chill Mhantáin

6. Website of the Year
1 Cumann na mBunscol, Co.an Chláir
2 Cumann na mBunscol, Co.Dhún na nGall
3 Cumann na mBunscol, Co. an Chabháin

7. Public Relations of the Year
1 Cumann na mBunscol, Co.an Dúin
2 Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Chill Mhantáin
2 Cumann na mBunscol, Co Thiobraid Árann
3 Cumann na mBunscol, Co na Gaillimhe

8. Ceiliúradh 125 Bliain
1 St. Malachy’s PS, Castlewellan,Co. Down
2.Holy Family NS, Ennis, Co. Clare
3.Sciath na Scol, Corcaigh

9. Assessors’ Merit Award
Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Shligigh (PR)
Cumann na mBunscol, Coiste na Mumhan (PR)
Edmund Rice CBPS, Belfast (GG)
Cumann na mBunscol, Áth Cliath Website

Presentation of the Cornmarket Cheque for the 2009 National Awards
Noeleen Rooney, Leas Rúnaí, Ivan Ahern, Director Cornmarket, Bro. Dormer, Cisteoir, and Margaret Cunningham Cathaoirleach

2009 National Award Winners.