4 minute read
And the Oskar Goes To...
By TINA DUNSTAN
The recent Kanturk Oskars Fundraiser for Kanturk Astroturf was a tremendous success. The Oskars project raised over €50,000, helping the Astroturf committee reach their target of €170,000. The wonderful films produced were The Snapper, Father Ted, Veronica Guerin, Bridesmaids,The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Misery, and Suffragettes. The awards ceremony took place in the Charleville Park Hotel on the 4th of April. Talk show host, Adrian Kennedy was the MC on the night. A night to remember for everyone involved, Well done to everyone! Tina and some of the actors involved reflected on the great project.
Tina on the event: “The Kanturk Oskars Award Ceremony in the Charleville Park Hotel was a celebration for all those who dedicated their time and energy to this wonderful project. The glitz and glamour and fun was just incredible. This has brought the whole community together. Now, people are meeting people on the street that they passed so many times, but now they salute, and smile and stop to chat as a result of meeting new people.
The sense of community the Film Awards has brought to Kanturk is astronomical. And of course it progressed/helped the Astroturf project too.”
Norelle Murphy who played Maud in Suffragette: Participating in the Oskars has been an amazing experience. We had great laughs and fun. Fantastic memories made. It was a great way to get to know the local community in Kanturk. It was so well organised and the night itself in Charleville was fantastic. Well done to everyone involved!
Shane O Connor who played Fr Ted: “Taking part in the film awards was incredible. Being cast in the comedy Fr Ted bought lots of laughter to us as a group and new friendships. It was great to see the community coming together for this worthy project.”
Sharon McCarthy played Violet Miller in Suffragette:
This was my third Oskars/Film Awards. I had previously been involved pre-covid with Milford and Broadford, both times with people I knew, but this was different. I only knew one person in the Suffragette group. I’ve worked in Scoil Mhuire for 13 years and didn’t really know anyone in Kanturk outside of work. The Film Awards have changed all that. I now walk down the street or into a shop and have chats with
people that I would never have met if it wasn’t for this. It was great to meet new people and new friends. We had a fabulous group of over 17, and we all got on great. I really loved the experience. Thank you. Martin O’Riordan, who played David Llyod George in Suffragette: “It started as a fundraiser for the Astroturf but quickly grew into an adventure in community spirit. The generosity of people with their time and was evident to see, culminating on Oskars night in Charleville. The floodlights of the Astroturf will serve as a beacon of community spirit for years to come.”
