Well Done, Cillian!

By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

The Rebel County awoke to the news that we had won an Oscar- yes that’s right, we have all won it. When one of our own wins –Cillian Murphy – we all win. It might be true that it will make our heads even bigger down this side of the country but we deserve it – we are the real capital after all.

But, it cannot be denied that there is a lot to be gained from celebrating together. Doesn’t matter what the win is – a GAA match, a Macra winning National Championship (well done, Banteer!), a local tidy town’s award, or a person of the year award.

When we celebrate together, it gets us talking about common interests, creating bonds and a sense of belonging. There are many reasons why community events and wins are important:

• There is no substitute for a face-to-face interaction. Community events and gatherings allow us to get together for a shared cause. Allowing us to engage in meaningful connections which is vital for rural communities.

• Supporting local businesses and community causes. When we get out to celebrate, we can see all that our community has to offer. All the generous businesses who contribute to local clubs and causes and get a chance to give them back some support and recognition.

• The coming together of a community to collaborate for a cause – under-age GAA, mini-rugby teams, playschool fundraisers. We can all get a sense of achievement from contributing our time, our energy and even a few funds to causes that not only benefit us but our families also.

So, let us all join together and celebrate Cillian’s big win. It might be glittering ceremony in Hollywood, but the real win is for the Rebel County. Well done, Cillian – we are all very proud.