MacGowan festival for Nenagh

Council praised for successful Christmas celebrations

Suggestions are being made for a local event honouring the life and legacy of Shane MacGowan.

Commenting on the international attention focused on Nenagh earlier this month for Shane's funeral, several local councillors last week called for a discussion of building on that momentum.

Cllr Séamie Morris told the December meeting of Nenagh Municipal District of suggestions to name the new Ballina bridge over the Shannon after MacGowan. He also suggested holding an annual festival in Nenagh.

But he agreed with District Administrator Rosemary Joyce that now is a time for reflection, rather than discussing future plans.

Cllr Ger Darcy believed MacGowan's legacy offers great potential not just for the town of Nenagh but for Lower Ormond, particularly the deceased singer's ancestral home at Carey Commons.

Cllr Phyll Bugler spoke of MacGowan's worldwide renown and supported the idea of organising a festival in his honour. “He has put Nenagh, Silvermines and Carney on the map,” she said, suggesting that the council should work with the MacGowan family on the idea.

Cllr Joe Hannigan spoke of the recently-erected plaque in Kilbarron, inscribed with the lyrics of ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’. He mentioned that MacGowan died on the day that works began on installing the plaque.

Cllr Hannigan reminisced about MacGowan's visits to his own pub in Kilbarron and of how the Pogues frontman was involved in the Kilbarron festival in 2006. Shane also supported a race day in aid of Shannon Rovers.

There are a number of avenues that could be explored in further preserving the singer's legacy, and Cllr Hannigan proposed holding an event every December, but he agreed to put all ideas on hold for now and to discuss them with the MacGowan family in due course.

Cllr Michael O'Meara said MacGowan should be accorded the same status as Joyce, Yeats and Ó Riada. His genius was appreciated by all and his legacy would live long after him in his music, Cllr O'Meara said.

All present joined in congratulating the council on the organisation of the funeral and in having the town of Nenagh looking so well ahead of it. Cathaoirleach Cllr John Rocky McGrath said the council and also the gardaí deserved great credit for the amount of short notice planning that went into a major event for the town.

‘NENAGH MD IS THE PLACE TO BE’

Cllr Morris said it is hard to believe that it took a funeral for people to see the best of Nenagh but that the town has been cast in a very positive light over recent weeks. Coupled with the Christmas festival, tractor parade and other local events, a wonderful atmosphere was created around Nenagh in December and the feedback from people in general has been very enthusiastic.

“That atmosphere doesn't come easily - it's earned,” Cllr Morris told last week's meeting. “Nenagh MD is the place to be... People see Nenagh as a place to go, to bring your family.”

He took the opportunity to congratulate Spain AV on the organising of the event to coincide with the switching on of the town's Christmas lights, and for the lights shining on Nenagh Castle during the festival there. Cllr Morris also spoke of showing an English journalist around Nenagh at the time of the funeral, including a visit to the Up Eats café. “We don't have cafés like this in London,” was the journalist's observation. Cllr Morris said he took great pride in all that Nenagh had to offer.

Cllr Darcy said Nenagh “shone in such positive light” for the funeral. The attention that Nenagh received, nationally and internationally, would stand the town in good stead for years to come,” he commented.

Also commending the council and gardaí on organising the funeral was Cllr John Carroll, who said the people of Nenagh accorded a great welcome to visitors to the town for the funeral.

“It was a sad occasion but it showed the true character of the town,” Cllr Carroll told the meeting. He had particular praise for Fr Pat Gilbert’s handling of the funeral Mass.

“He did his profession hugely proud,” Cllr Carroll said.

‘HAPPY FACES AROUND THE TOWN’

Cllr Fiona Bonfield joined in praising what she described as a fantastic Christmas celebration at Nenagh Castle, as did Cllr Hannigan, who said it was “brilliant to see happy faces around the town”.

District Director Marcus O’Connor thanked everyone involved in organising the funeral, including the church authorities and representatives of the MacGowan family. A lot of work went into organising the event and the council’s outdoor staff were out trying to make the town as presentable as possible in the week before the funeral. Mr O’Connor thanked the schools and businesses that allowed the use of car parking spaces; he revealed that 1,500 additional spaces were created, showing that Nenagh is capable of managing large-scale events.

TEAM EFFORT

District Administrator Rosemary Joyce described the funeral as a “big team effort” and she praised all involved. She also spoke highly of the Christmas events in which the council was involved, revealing that more than 3,000 people were in town for the turning on of the lights. She thanked the OPW, Spain AV and Tourist Officer Victoria Lee for organising the two-day castle festival, which involved 20 stalls on both days, and more than 200 children visited Santa in the castle.

There was great spin-off trade for local businesses and the shop local campaign was very much to the fore.

Ms Joyce said the council’s intention with all these events has always been to make Nenagh a destination. She believed that this goal is being achieved.