The Irish Fete Cuimhne Cup held at St Finbarr’s Sports and Social Club in Coventry was jointly hosted with Irish in Britain for the fourth year running last week.
The jam–packed event saw a healthy mix of sport, health awareness stalls and some excellent entertainers. It recognised the effort older Irish people put in to walking football to stay healthy both physically and mentally.
Ambassador Dan Mulhall brought his football boots to what was his last public engagement, and got involved in nearly a full game of Gaelic Football. After the game he presented medals to the club’s founding father Patrick Leahy and the grandson of the late Jack Byrne, Kieran. Both Jack and Patrick came from Kilkenny City and moved to Coventry at 18 years old to find work in 1950.
Dan Mulhall tweeted on the day:
“Was delighted to try walking football for the first time in Coventry today. Very enjoyable”
The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Tony Skipper also attended the event, throwing in the ball with the Ambassador for the under 15 Gaelic Football game and jointly presented the Cuimhne Cup to the winners.
Photo credit: Gerry Molumby
Special thanks to the London Irish Construction Network for sponsoring the event and donating the cup.
Exercise can often reduce the onset of health issues like dementia. Dr Mary Tilki spoke about the Cuimhne project at the event, which aims to support those experiencing memory loss through re–educating people about the nature of the issue.
The fete was also an opportunity for other health organisations to promote what they do in the interests of preventing health issues, with specific reference to issues more prevalent in Irish communities.
For example, the Hemochromatosis Society were able to inform many attendees about the prevalence of the disease in the Irish community and offered advice for those who knew people affected.
Coventry Peace Trust also attended to promote peace and wellbeing through art. Many people throughout the day used their creative flair at the stall to produce a mosaic.
Photo credit: Coventry Peace Trust
There were also some wonderful performers in the jam–packed family event including Rose Christy Pepper, Mc Hale School of Irish Dancing and Wild Irish.
Thank you to the following organisations who came along to spread awareness of their work in health:
Prostate Cancer, Coventry Irish Society, Admiral Nurses, Hemochromatosis Society, Bowel Cancer UK, Coventry Peace Trust, Positive Youth Foundation, Carers Trust Heart of England, BME Cancer, Coventry Health & Wellbeing, FabLab Coventry
See more information on the Cuimhne project and contact us by email champions@irishinbritain.org if you would like to get involved.