Clashmore shows true values of Ireland

LAST Friday morning the Irish nation awoke to the news of the €600,000 advertisement by Fás that was never aired and the €35,000 car for a raffle that was never held.

Later that night, I was in Clashmore/Kinsalebeg, Co Waterford for the launch of the local GAA club’s fundraising efforts to build a clubhouse.

Those few short hours show the contrasting faces of Ireland: the profligacy and waste by the professionals of the state body; the dedication and generosity and voluntary commitment by the amateur association.