Five in the running for Tuamgraney’s mayoral chain

IT could be said that in some instances the vote on Ireland’s Referendum on the Stability Treaty this Thursday took second place in a certain part of East Clare this week as the race hotted up for the election of Tuamgraney’s first mayor.
Indications are that it will be a very tight contest and it’s anyone’s guess who will be the first recipient of the chain of office at the concluding event of the festival in Hassett’s Pub on Sunday night next.
The mayoral election is the centre piece of Tuamgraney’s first ever Community Weekend, which is aimed at putting Tuamgraney on the map as a festival venue. It is hoped to attract big numbers of visitors to the area over the bank holiday weekend, especially natives who are living in different counties and countries. The emphasis will be on community involvement and community entertainment over the weekend.
It starts with a golf competition in the East Clare Golf Club, Bodyke on Saturday morning when teams compete for the Des Hassett Memorial Cup. Teams from Teach Uí Bhrian and Hassett’s will be captained by two well-known golfers, William O’Brien and Michael O’Halloran.
The next item on the agenda is the award-winning Celtic Traditions Concert in St Cronan’s Church at 8pm, followed by a concert party in Teach Uí Bhriain. The other pubs in Tuamgraney will also have their own musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
The young people of the area will get their chance of becoming involved by competing in the children’s sports day in the evicted hurling field on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2pm.
A big barbecue featuring song and dance and set dancing will be held in the memorial park, Tuamgraney from 5pm onwards and at 9pm the action will switch to Hassett’s Pub at 9pm for the final event and the election of Tuamgraney’s first mayor.
Five local businesses have nominated five candidates for the position and over the past few weeks they have been busy collecting votes as well as money for their named charities. Candidates in the running for mayor are Anthony Dillon, Ted Minogue, Frances O’Neill, Liam Furlong and Una Dillon.