Castlelyons Community Centre launch - "Evening at the Races" 2017-05-24 10:10:00

Castlelyons Community Centre Committee are holding an “Evening at the Races” in the Centre with the first race at 8.30 pm on Sunday 4th June 2017. As befits all such Centres there is a requirement for funding on an ongoing and sustained basis to ensure the upkeep of the place hence the need to make a few bob. But this is an evening with a difference as they will have horse racing footage from various courses including jump and flat races up on the big screen. The aim is to match Galway, Punchestown, or Killarney as there will be race cards, the craic of the tote for fun, prizes for each Race, pints on the hoof and a mighty sing song arranged for later in the night.

The Centre built back in the ‘70’s had long been the focal point of the Parish and surrounding areas, as it boosts a quality hall and kitchen, several meeting rooms, a revamped “Tuck Shop”, dressing rooms, Gymnasium and GAA Club Bar. It is home to the Barrymore Players and so many Clubs in the Parish. Down the years, there were mighty celebratory evenings of winning clubs and teams as it was always back to the Centre for some light refreshments. In fact, all parish committees and many from outside the parish hold their meetings at the Centre. The Centre hosted the “Cork Makes It Exhibition”, an outstanding event, for so many years.

The Committee held their launch of the Castlelyons “Evening at the Races” on last Tuesday evening at Rathbarry Stud the main sponsors. Indeed, the Stud brought the aura of Croke Park or the Aviva to the bones as entering the avenue and a little walk about left one in no doubt why horse racing is a sport in which Ireland is a world leader. The vibrant Committee gathered there to meet and were greet personally by the owners Ms Catherine Cashman and her son Paul.

The Cashman family have a long history of involvement with the Parish as the late Liam Cashman was an accomplished hurler with Castlelyons and, of course, Paul won Junior and Intermediate county hurling titles while Catherine is always on hand to make the sandwiches and help for the afters. On this occasion, Catherine outlined they were delighted to sponsor the Committee for the “Evening at the Races” as she had great times in the Community Centre and hoped another generation could have the same. Anthony O Regan thanked Catherine and the Cashman family for their kind sponsorship and, indeed, sponsorship over many years and the many Companies who have sponsored Races and places adds in the Race Card. The following Clubs were represented at the Donal Barry from the Point to Point Committee, Maurice Carroll and Ml Barrett, Castlelyons GAA, Pamela O Connor, Camogie and Juveniles and John Parker, Cisteoir of the Centre.

Kodi Bear was brought out for a feature photograph. He is one of two new stallions, Ajaya being the other, who have started their second careers as they are on the roster for the 2017 breeding season at the Stud. Certainly, a kickstart to get working as he really woke up the Committee.

So, as the Committee put the finishing touches to what should be a great night would appreciate your support in buying a horse for a €10 over the few weeks. All in all, this should be a cracking evening so do support and come along and keep that focal point of the Parish alive.




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