In praise of community spirit

Wednesday, 03 August 2011 14:50

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Sir,

I TRAVELLED from Dublin for the privilege of attending the funeral of Mr. Michael 'Minister' Waldron in Ballyhaunis.

I did so to honour the person who had died and his family. But another very important reason for me was the opportunity to witness whether the sense of community was alive and well in my hometown.

As someone who has lived in Dublin for over 40 years, I realise that community here is a most nebulous affair, if it exists at all.

My journey home was well rewarded as the cultural community that I once belonged to, Irish, Catholic, GAA, Nationalist, town and country turned out in force.

I, and others like me - a large contingent came from Coventry - was afforded an opportunity to dip into our past and its vibrant cultural presence.

Fr. Stephen Farragher, P.P., and John Prenty of the Connaught Council both spoke eloquently on behalf of everyone.

One of them ended by truly saying: 'Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann'.

Sincerely yours,

Anthony J. Jordan,

52 Gilford Road,

Dublin 4.