LUA celebration ‘of wild water’ to take place in Killaloe

PLANS have been floated for a new end of season celebration in Killaloe next month, marking people’s ever-evolving relationship with wild water.

One of the organisers, Rev Paul Fitzpatrick hopes this inaugural event will grow and develop into an annual celebration, marking the end of the season.

The Dean’s Vicar of Killaloe and Stradbally Group of Parishes is keen to extend hospitality and “the extraordinary ambience” of Killaloe to all visitors.

“All personal contact is now made and there is such amazing collaboration support and generosity around for this celebration,” said Reverend Fitzpatrick.

“The inaugural event will complement so much all that has and is presently happening. Flags are really flying for Clare, Tipperary and Killaloe.

“Our human relationship with wild water is ever-evolving. In past times water seemed to bear greater symbolic significance when a body of water represented a liminal interlude on the way to another world. It was used as a transport vector for cultural, pastoral, and material cargos in more recent times,” he said.

“And so today, when our relationship with wild water has further adapted to encompass recreation, aquaculture and tourism and when waterways get increasingly treated as nothing more than a cleaning fluid in our fast-growing advanced economy. Rivers, once sacred, have been reduced to drains.

“LUA is a weekend event to explore this evolving engagement with wild water and how best to individually and collectively irrigate a more beneficial relationship with it, both culturally and environmentally.

“LUA, a celebration of wild water, will unfold on the west shore of a stretch of River Shannon, on which the ancient settlement of Killaloe arose – to paraphrase that ancient Greek geographer Herodotus, “Killaloe is a gift of the Shannon” he added.

Like many ancient Irish settlements, Rev Fitzpatrick said Killaloe is found at a natural nodal point – a dynamic human intersection of time-honoured water and land transport ways. Thus Killaloe, the quintessential waterway town, is the perfect place to celebrate LUA’s first and soon-to-be annual event.

On Friday, September 16, the Lough Derg Branch of the Irish Waterways Association of Ireland IWAI will host its end of season celebration with commodores, John and Sandra Lefroy and Matt Daniels.

The guest of honour will be Clare County Council chairman, Councillor Tony O’ Brien.

An art exhibition on the theme of waterways and the environment will be held in Saint Flannan’s Cathedral under the guidance of Trish Taylor-Thompson from Friday, September 16–18.

Norma Manly and band will perform a concert in St Flannan’s Cathedral on Friday, September 16 at 8pm.

Gary McMahon Director, Akllen will deliver a presentation on sailing in Irish and international waters for over a century in St Flannan’s Cathedral on Saturday, September 17 at 12 noon.

Comprehensive information about about the Bells of Saint Flannan’s Cathedral will be provided by Martin Cooper at 3pm. It is expected the contribution made by local bell ringer Bryan and Betty Brislane.

“Killaloe a musical celebration” will be presented by Mary Donohue, Paul Fitzpatrick and friends at 8pm. All the proceeds from this event will go to the Lough Derg Coastguard and Killaloe Fire and Rescue Services.

Tai chi by the waterside will be provided by Caroline Rainsford from 9am to 10am on Sunday, September 19 from 9am to 10am. This session is free and is suitable for all abilities.

An Ecumenical Service will take place in Saint Flannan’s Cathedral at 11.30, which will involve an official Blessing of the Waterways and Environment.

This will be followed by a presentation about the “Phoenix” by Sandra and John Lefroy. The closing celebration will be hosted by the Lough Derg Branch IWAI.

Katherine Griffith is commissioning and creating a unique memento and souvenirs for everyone.

Rev Fitzpatrick thanked Clare County Council chairman, Councillor Tony O’Brien, Waterways Ireland, Clare County Council, Garda Siochána Killaloe, The Lough Derg Branch IWAI and the Killaloe / Ballina Community Family Resource Centre for all their support and encouragement.

Rev Fitzpatrick will oversee ministry in the Nenagh Union and the Killaloe / Stradbally Group of parishes as Dean’s Vicar, on an interim basis of behalf of Bishop Michael Burrows, with the help of many, in a collaborative manner.

This is without presumption or expectation regarding the future. A new appointment will, more than likely be made, in the Union and Group, by the end of the year, after various processes are initiated and followed through.

It comes after parishes recently bid adieu to their Rector, Dean Rod Smyth as he journeys forward into the new horizon of retirement. Rod, concluded his tenure by thanking many people for making his ministry so fruitful and rewarding.