21 December 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The Mayor of Clonakilty and members of the Clonakilty Mayoral Council (Cork’s only grouping of Town Mayors) have organised an event to welcome home emigrants at a “Community Christmas Gathering” this Friday 23rd December at 7pm at O’ Donovan’s Hotel.
The issue was decided at their recent monthly meeting, and will entail an informal get-together for all Clonakilty people, with a particular emphasis on welcoming home Clonakilty people from around the world who are home for Christmas.
Current Mayor Anthony McDermott said:
“We are very proud that following the abolition of all the Town Councils in 2014, that Clonakilty organised a special election in which five community representatives were elected by the people to hold the position of Honorary Mayor of Clonakilty for one year each. We are now the only town in the whole of Ireland with a Town Mayor as a figurehead.
Friday’s event is organised by our voluntary group.
Like all communities, we have many young people and people from previous generations scattered all over the world. Traditionally, many of them come home for Christmas and many meet by chance at social and sporting events during the holidays.
We have decided as the directly-elected leaders of the people of Clonakilty to organise a “Community Christmas Gathering” to which everyone from Clonakilty is welcome.
O’ Donovan’s Hotel at 7pm is the place to be this Friday 23rd as this is where we hope people will come to in large numbers to catch up and meet each other.
It will be a totally informal event with complimentary mulled wine and non-alcoholic beverages being served, and a bit of music.
All we ask is that people will come along wearing a Santa Hat to the event which will last for approximately an hour.
We ask everyone to spread the word over the coming few days to ensure that everyone is aware of it. As Mayor I and my colleagues look forward to meeting and greeting our Clon emigrants home and to wish the community a Happy Christmas”.
