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PADDY’S WEEKEND IN DOONBEG

THE Doonbeg St Patrick’s Weekend Parade will take place on Saturday the 18th of March. The theme of the parade is “Around the World in West Clare” and the Parade committee welcomes all floats to participate. The parade will be led by the Tulla Pipe Band while the Grand Marshals are locals Tommy & Mary Browne.

It is expected that a great range of Vintage Tractors and Classic Cars will also participate in the parade. There will be €1,000 worth of prize money and trophies for for the 5 categories of winning floats with no entry fee. Floats are invited to congregate at the Shanahan McNamara GAA grounds at 3pm with the Parade commending at 3.30pm. A viewing stand of dignitaries including local Tidy Town’s, Men’s Shed, Ladies Group among others.

GIBNEY WINS VOLUNTEER AWARD

KILRUSH Basketball Club volunteer Paul McGibney has been announced as the Clare winner of the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards.

Organised by the Federation of Irish Sport, the Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year.

“Paul has transformed it into an organised, efficient and national award standard club. Paul has been involved with the club for just under 10 years and he is an integral part of everything that happens. Paul is constantly looking for ways to improve the club and help the players to reach their potential. Paul is PRO and often volunteers to attend national and regional events to represent Clare Area Basketball Board. Recently, Paul was the driving force behind the club applying for and successfully receiving a bronze standard club award from Basketball Ireland. Paul has created a fun and enjoyable learning environment for everyone at the club and does it all with a smile on his face,” said a Federation of Irish Sport spokesperson.

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD will present the awards at a special ceremony next week at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. The event will see volunteers from all 32 counties honoured for their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports. Guests will also include key stakeholders from the sector. The overall Outstanding Achievement Award will be revealed on the day.

“The volunteers being recognised today deserve enormous credit. Their work, often unseen and undertaken without any fuss or fanfare, makes sport a reality for hundreds if not thousands of people in their communities,” the Minister said.