Drimoleague in party mood for 25th year of Féile Beag
Three teams from the 30-member guild took part in the opening fancy dress parade. ‘Beds for Nursing Homes’ took first prize, ‘Lusitania — 100 years’ came second, while the third fancy dress act was themed around the recent referendum.
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland and a Drimoleague native, opened the festival — one reason for choosing the nursing homes theme, said Noreen O’Connell, guild vice-president and newly elected Cork Federation PRO.
She said various guild members have links with the local nursing home, run by Sean Collins.
“It’s one of the biggest employers here. Sean’s mum, Eileen Collins, is in our guild — she’s in her 80s and a very good member all her life. I do chiropody in the nursing home. Our outgoing president, Kathleen Keane, works there. Plus we’re all prospective customers!”
Noreen participated in the Lusitania float. “Cobh animation team invited us to dress up for the Lusitania event on May 7,” she said. “We had our grey and black skirts, our gloves, feathers and laced-up shoes.” So, she said, it was a natural progression to wear the same gear for Féile Beag.
Drimoleague Guild, founded in 1958, is “a fine, healthy guild”, said Noreen, who joined 35 years ago.
“A neighbour brought me along,” she said. “I was originally from Ballinadee, only 30 miles away, but I needed to meet people my own age. Margaret Deane, the current president, joined at the same time — we were both young married women. It was an education. I got better at public speaking. I did an introductory course in reflexology at An Grianán and went on to train as a reflexologist — it became a sideline for me.”
The guild is organising the ICA/senior citizens outing to Lismore for Thursday, June 25. It will visit Ballyseedy Garden Centre and Lismore Heritage Centre, and take in the scenic drive to Mount Melleray Abbey. Dinner/dance in Innishannon House Hotel. To book, phone 086 3787 331, 086 3943 866 or 087 267 9167.
Drimoleague’s annual afternoon tea party on Sunday, June 14, in Drimoleague Hall is in aid of Cork ARC Cancer Support House. Cost: €10 per person — tickets available for 1.30pm sitting.
