Feile 2016 News

Feile South West

Newsletter 5

 

Official Launch

Our Official Launch at Brosna on last Monday week, 09^th May, was an unqualified success due in no small way to the extraordinary contribution of our hosts Brosna GAA Club and indeed the entire community of Brosna Parish.  Our special guests GAA President, Aoghan O’ Fearghail, LGFA President, Marie Hickey and Peter Rooney of John West Ireland, our sponsors, all admitted to have been ‘blown away’ by the occasion.  Those of you who were lucky enough to attend the proceedings at the ‘Point’ on the bridge over the River Feale where the three counties (Kerry, Cork and Limerick) meet would, no doubt, agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment.  Three separate Feile groups marched from the parishes of Brosna, Rockchapel and Tournafulla/Mountcollins each led by a piper and met on the bridge itself.  There the Presidents unveiled a Feile 2016 plaque to mark the occasion.  The huge gathering were greeted by ‘Ri na Caide’ and his entourage as well as his Irish wolfhound, Bran, all suitably attired in ancient gowns.  We were treated to a wonderful display by local school children of sean-nos singing, dancing and traditional music.

The celebrations then moved to (suitably named) Pairc na Feile, Brosna, where the Presidents presented medals to all juveniles who had participated in a Blitz which had been held earlier in the evening.  Presentations were also made to three local GAA people P J Shanahan, Duagh, Richard Cotter, Castleisland Desmonds and Mike Brosnan, Knocknagoshel/Brosna, for their lifetime contribution to Juvenile football.  Also in attendance were Kerry County Board Chairman, Patrick O’ Sullivan, and National Feile Chairman, Martin Skelly.  Thankfully the weather held up for us while we were at the ‘Point’ but did deteriorate somewhat while we were at Pairc na Feile.  The hot beverages and food served up to us in the Clubhouse by the Brosna ladies committee at the conclusion of the ceremonies were very welcome indeed.  A very big thanks to Brosna Chairman, Mikey Joe Walsh and his team for making the launch an unforgettable evening.

Fixtures

Our full fixture list for the Feile weekend (24^th/25^th/26^th June) is now almost complete and we are striving to have it generally available before the end of this week.  We are still awaiting confirmation of the names of participating clubs from a handful of counties and we are also fine tuning the fixture list to accommodate clubs travelling from abroad.

The starting times for first and second round matches on Friday 24^th June are: 5.00pm, 5.45pm, 6.30pm and 8.15pm.  Third round games on Saturday 25^th June will start at 10.15am and 11.00am.  The quarter-finals of Cups and Shields will be played on Saturday afternoon with varied starting times between 2.00pm and 4.00pm to allow for travel times etc.  All Semi-Finals then will be held on Sunday 26^th June at 10.30am and Finals from 1.00pm on Sunday afternoon.

Parades

We will be staging the traditional Feile Parades at nine centres throughout Kerry, Cork and Limerick and a dignitary will attend each parade.  All parades will be held on Saturday evening 25^th June and we recommend starting times of 6.30/7.00pm and the District Boards in each of the town areas are being asked to take ownership of organising and running the parades.  The designated venues and local contact people are as follows:-

Cahirciveen,            Susanne O’ Leary (087-6298584)

Kenmare,                 Dermot Healy (087-9272293)

Killarney,                  Tim Ryan (086-8579447)

Dingle,                      Colm Nealon (086-3820657)

Tralee,                      Eamon Griffin (087-9773432)

Listowel,                  Martin Sheehy (087-6724617)

Newcastle West,    Austin Gerrathy (086-8091034)

Kanturk,                   Padraic Breen (086-1966745)

Carrigaline,              Bernie O’ Mahony (086-6866519)

 

Each host club and their visiting club are asked to participate in the same parade centre or failing that we would request that you participate in a parade that is nearest your location.  The theme of each parade is ‘Friendship and Respect’.  Please obey the instructions of stewards and Gardaí at all venues.

 

Programmes

 

To date 178 clubs out of a total participation projection of 250 have submitted their Match Programmes for the Feile weekend.  We need the remaining clubs to complete their programmes as soon as possible to ensure the smooth organisation of the event.

 

Brehon Hotel

 

We are delighted to announce that the Gleneagle Hotel Group, Killarney have come on board as associate sponsors of Feile.  The Brehon Hotel in the town will be the base for our Feile Committee and all fixtures, results and any disciplinary hearings will be controlled from that Hub over the weekend of the competition.  Speaking at the announcement Feile Committee Chairman, Tom Keane, said ‘it is wonderful to be able to add the Gleneagle Hotel Group to our list of sponsors.  The O’ Donoghue family have had a long association with the GAA and we look forward to working with them’.

 

Everything is beginning to come together.