Westmeath hosts Cumann na mBunscol awards night

By Gerry Buckley

Westmeath proudly hosted the 2024 Cornmarket-sponsored National Cumann na mBunscol awards in a packed function room in the Mullingar Park Hotel last Friday night, where primary school teachers from the length and breadth of Ireland congregated for what proved to be a very successful occasion.

After a pre-dinner drinks reception, at which traditional music was provided by local musicians Doireann, Donagh and Cian Ó Fiaich, guests from near and far assembled for a four-course meal and the announcement of awards in various categories. Unfortunately, Westmeath had not been nominated for any award.

Tomás Ó hAiniféin was MC, and over the course of the night he called on two Westmeath speakers.

First up was Dublin native Derek Butler, chairman of Cumann na mBunscol in the Lake County, who wittily spoke of the influence of his own national school teacher, former Mullingar Shamrocks, Pearses and Westmeath dual star Davy Nolan, and the latter’s horror when he was informed that Derek was going to teach in The Downs, as Davy had got his jaw broken in a match there many moons ago!

Derek welcomed members of the Westmeath County Board present, in addition to local media personnel, praising the latter for their annual coverage of the finals in TEG Cusack Park and the accompanying banter in the press box.

He also expressed his sadness about the death of Vincent Keating NT last year, a driving force for many years in Cumann na mBunscol in the county.

Given the location, Westmeath’s only two-time All Star, John Keane, currently right-hand man to Dessie Dolan in the county’s senior set-up, was a special guest.

He spoke eloquently about his love of the entire Cumann na mBunscol project, which started when he was a pupil in Rosemount NS under the tutelage of the late Joe Jordan NT and has continued all the way to his own teaching roles. While John conceded that all the kids loved playing in TEG Cusack Park, he expressed the hope that he would see the day when youngsters would get to play in Croke Park itself.

The function continued after the formalities with music by Banjaxed, the band’s name possibly echoing the feelings of many attendees on the Saturday morning!

The Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol committee were honoured to host the prestigious event.