TIPPERARY ALLIANZ CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL REPORT JANUARY 26TH BY JOHN MANLEY
THE HISTORY OF CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL
Cumann na mBunscol was set up in 1971 when a group of teachers met after the annual Corn na Casca match between Dublin and Limerick primary schools. They decided to approach some other interested teachers and a meeting was arranged for New Year’s Day, 1971 in Limerick. The attendance on that day included, Tom Garry who was to be Runai for 21 years, Peadar Mac Craith, Martin Kitterick and Pat Guthrie. They decided to explore the possibility of setting up a national body to promote Gaelic games in primary schools. They decided to call the organisation Bord Eadar Cathrach na mBunscol. Later other areas were to join. So the areas involved in Cumann na mBunscol were Dublin, Cork, Thurles, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Clare, Dundalk and Drogheda.
During the first ten years the coiste set about consolidating the organisation and Meath was the only new area to join in that period. Finance was obtained from the G.A.A. and medal sponsorship was got from C.I.E. As a consequence, huge crowds of children travelled all over the country in special trains. Later when A.I.B. took over the sponsorship, only the teams travelled and they usually stayed overnight. In these early years the AGM was held at a different venue each year and this was a very sociable affair. Of these meetings the one held on the occasion of Sciath na Scol’s 75th anniversary in Cork is probably the most memorable. Michael Jackson was in the chair and the delegates were snowbound in Blarney for the weekend. The A.G.M.’s were always attended by dignitaries from the G.A.A., Church and State. People like Pat Fanning, Paddy McFlynn, Paddy Buggy, Sean O’Siochain, Bishop Tom Morris, Bishop Casey, Jack Lynch and the then Minister for Education Paddy Faulkner. The meeting in Cork was addressed by the legendary Christy Ring.
The National A.G.M. was held in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk in 1973 and Hugh O’Hare was then the chairman of Cumann Peile na nOg in Dundalk. He welcomed the delegates and presided over the meeting. In 1975 a sub – committee was elected to formulate a constitution for Bord Eadar Cathrach na mBunscoileanna. The constitution was adopted at the following A.G.M. in 1976, and the main objective of this document was to have an All-Ireland Body with representation from all thirty two counties. The A.G.M. was held in the Rosnaree Hotel, Drogheda in 1981. That meeting will always be remembered because of the great tragedy in the Stardust on Friday 14th February, Valentine’s night. The meeting was attended by Padraig McFlynn, then President of the G.A.A. and Padraig Faulkner, who was then Ceann Comhairle. Over the next few years Cumann na mBunscol expanded to include all thirty – two counties. History was made at our AGM in Kerry on 28th. February, 2004 when the London Primary Schools’ GAA Board became affiliated to Cumann na mBunscol as they were looking for moral support and coaching guidance from our organisation. London was considered as another county and it was grouped with the six counties in Ulster for insurance purposes.
EQUIPMENT NIGHT
Our annual equipment night takes place in Scoil Ailbhe Primary School, Thurles, between 5.00pm and 8.00pm on Friday. 20th March, 2015. All information and order forms can be downloaded on our website. Please return your order forms on or before Friday, 6th March, 2015 to our Treasurer Jerry McDonnell 25 Ballingarrane, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Please also forward Jerry your € 30.00 annual registration fee for 2015 with your order. To participate in playing activities and/or the equipment scheme the € 30.00 registration must be paid. Please give a separate € 30.00 cheque for registration.
E-MAIL CONTACT LIST
If you or a colleague would like to be added to the contact list for updates on Tipperary Allianz Cumann na mBunscol activities please contact John Manley, pro.cnmb.tipperary@gaa.ie or Aodan Wrenn, aodanwrenn@gmail.com, to be added to our mailing list.
REPORTER OF THE WEEK
Schools are reminded and encouraged to send news and updates of their progress in the hurling championships for the coming season. Reports can be a great writing topic for the classroom and are an opportunity for children to see their work published for a wider audience. A Reporter of the Week will be chosen and their work included in the weekly report. Please ensure all reports are a single paragraph in Verdana 10 type. All submissions should be proof-read by the teacher before submission.
TWITTER
For any schools/teachers wishing to access Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol news and updates via Twitter, the Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol Twitter username is @TippCumanNamBun. The following link will enable you to follow us: https. We would encourage as many teachers and schools as possible to follow us as this will enable you to access information as soon as it becomes available. We thank all the teachers who have become followers of Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol on Twitter. We have got a great reaction from teachers and schools in recent months. We now have 884 followers.
CONTACT CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL
For match reports, fixtures and school G.A.A. News and events, please email Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol P.R.O. John Manley pro.cnmb.tipperary@gaa.ie
Website: http://cnmb.tipperary.gaa.ie/. Tús maith leath na h-oibre.
John Manley
Dualla NS
PRO Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol
http://cnmb.tipperary.gaa.ie/
