PRIMARY SCHOOLS

AGM of Cumann na mBunscol to be held in Adare

 

Cumann na mBunscol, the body charged with promoting Gaelic Games in primary schools throughout the island of Ireland, will hold its Annual General Meeting in Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on Friday & Saturday February 8^th & 9^th.

 

Delegates from all 32 counties will attend while London will also be represented. Cumann na mBunscol has a very active Branch in London which promotes Gaelic Games in primary schools in the London region.

 

Cumann na mBunscol was founded in 1971. Tom Garry, a native of Castleconnell, was its Rúnaí for many years and, though retired from teaching, still maintains strong links with the association.

 

Brother James Dormer of Doon CBS is National treasurer of Cumann na mBunscol and looks after a budget of over €400,000 annually.

 

From humble beginnings, Cumann na mBunscol  now promotes Gaelic games in over 3500 schools and is actively involved in fostering boys football, girls football, hurling, camogie, rounders and handball.

 

It is conservatively estimated that 100,000 boys and girls are catered for by the organisation every year.

 

Other innovations include  the INTO Sevens which takes place in Croke Park on big match days throughout the summer, the Primary GO Games which are now an established feature of the Gaelic Games calendar in Munster, Indoor Hurling and Camogie  and the Martin Donnelly interprovincial series which now features primary school players in action during the half-time interval.

 

Never prone to resting on its laurels, Cuman na mBunscol launched its Strategic Plan for the future in 2007. This plan followed detailed research and consultation with all partners involved in Cumann na mBunscol and was carried out by the consultancy firm owned by well-known GAA activist Mark Conway  of Tyrone.

 

Excellence in promoting Gaelic Games is recognised through the Gaelic Telecom Awards which are held annually. In 2007, Doon CBS was doubly honoured winning the Award for Best Small School and also for Best Hurling Project.

 

“The Green and White” magazine, edited by Ciaran Crowe of Patrickswell NS and Joe Lyons of Ballybrown NS, won the award for Best Publication for the 5^th time.

 

Liam Ó Loineacháin, Chairman of Limerick County Board and a primary teacher himself, will be among the guests at a dinner in Adare on Friday night.

 

further details: Joe Lyons 086 8113284