Community group in Tipperary holds successful family fun day in Clonmel
Clonmel Together is a community group formed by Clonmel residents with the aim of promoting social inclusion and building solidarity between all the communities that call the town home.
Clonmel Together were delighted to welcome everyone in to their community, culture and family fun day in CTI Hall Tipperary, last Saturday March 29. Mayor Pat English opened the event, which featured live music and dance from a variety of local performers, food from different cultures and fun for all ages.
Members of the Muslim, Indian and Ukrainian communities prepared a cornucopia of delicious food for attendees, with the standout two fabulous cakes by Yuliia Kovalevska, a baker in the process of restarting her business. She hopes to open in Killenaule by the end of April.
Dean Buckley, PRO for Clonmel Together said: “This day shows how our communities are made more vibrant when we celebrate and welcome difference. The culture of Clonmel is enriched by natives and newcomers alike and the more we connect with each other to share our cuisines, our songs and enjoy the freedom to be ourselves in community, the better off we all are.”
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Performers took the stage throughout the day, including Powerstown/Lisronagh Comhaltas, who will host this year’s Fleadh Cheoil Thiobraid Árann at Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn in May, and local band Galtee Mountain Boys.
The young dancers from the Ryan-Cummins Academy and the Tipp Indian Community showed off their moves and Volodymyr Penia played piano. Pianist Marina Moskalyk and cellist Hanna Sevostianova performed classical Ukrainian music before joining members of the Ukrainian choir Kalyna to sing.
Speaking further, Dean Buckley from Clonmel Together said: “We extend our deepest thanks all the volunteers who made the day possible and all the attendees who made it worthwhile. So many people in Clonmel are doing the work of bringing people together and creating a community where we all feel we belong, no matter who we are or where we’re from. There’s so much more that unites us than divides us.”
The final acts were Áine, Eza and Chrisa, students of local music teacher Abhi Vishwa’karma.
Áine performed “In the Stars” by Benson Boone while Eza and Chrisa performed “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars.
As well as the onstage entertainment, magician Paul Phelan enchanted families with sleight of hand and illusion throughout the day. Alongside the craic, ceol and cultúr were stalls from Tidy Towns, the GAA, Citizens Information and other local groups and services. Thank you to South Tipperary Development Company, Tipperary Volunteers and the Local Authority Integration Team, who all provided funding.
Special thanks to CTI principal John McCarthy for the use of the hall and caretaker Paddy Franey for all his assistance.