Pádraig Pearses goes down memory lane for celebration

Pádraig Pearses GAA club in Woodmount was the venue last weekend for an evening of celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of its formation in 1962.

Visitors enjoyed a trip down memory lane by browsing at the display of photos and memorabilia gathered since 1962. Newspaper snippets from each decade were on display.

Mass was concelebrated at 5pm, with Chief Celebrant Fr Michael Molloy (PP Moore and Clonfad) joined by Fr Sean Neylon (PP Taughmaconnell), Fr Michael Finneran (PP Clontuskert) and Fr Bernie Costello (Creagh & Ballinasloe). In his homily, Fr Michael acknowledged the vision and dedication of past and present club members that have contributed to the development of Padraig Pearses.

The occasion of the 60th anniversary was marked by an unveiling of a photo collage of club chairmen, 1962-2022. A colourised and enhanced photo of the Pádraig Pearses football team who won a championship semi-final in Athleague in August 1963 was unveiled. It is believed to the one of the earliest photos taken of a Pádraig Pearses team (the original image was black and white).

Later in the evening, an award ceremony to mark the delivery of the Dermot Early Youth Leadership Initiative was held. The participants received their certificates and sweatshirts from 1972 Club Chairperson Sean Curley on the night.

Fifteen young people from the club completed the programme, consisting of over 70 hours of online tutor-facilitated learning sessions during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Entertainment was provided by members of the traditional Irish music group who meet weekly in the clubhouse. A most enjoyable trad session was followed with some old-time waltzes and country jiving facilitated by the organisers of the weekly Wednesday ‘Jiving for Wellbeing sessions’ at the clubhouse.