PHOTOS - Celebrating 40 Years of Darrara Community Council!

We’re delighted to share photos from our 40th Anniversary celebrations!

We kicked off with a very special event on October 9th for all past and present members of Darrara Community Council who were invited to the Community Centre, along with distinguished guests: Mayor of Clonakilty Conan O’Donovan, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan TD, CEO of Muintir na Tíre Rosie Palmer, Fr. Tom Hayes, Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll, and Claire Higgins, Principal of Darrara National School.

A reception was held on the night to honour every single Council member who played a part in our story over the past 40 years. Whether it was lifting floorboards or knocking partitions in 1985, selling tickets for the famous two-car draws, organising events, maintaining facilities, renewing gym memberships, fundraising, paying bills, submitting grant applications, pouring tea, catering for large crowds, setting goals – and all the countless other jobs that go with running a community centre on a 100% voluntary basis – their time, energy, and spirit secured the Old School building for future generations and helped make Darrara a vibrant, welcoming, and better place to live.

Chairperson Angela Linehan thanked everyone for the part they played, while remembering with fondness those who have passed. May they rest in peace.

Rosie Palmer, CEO of Muintir na Tíre, surprised Council members Noreen Harrington, Mary Anglin, and Pius Lyons with presentations of Certificates of Recognition for their “40 years of outstanding contribution to Darrara Community Council.” Paul McManus was also honoured “for overseeing the major redevelopment of the community centre in 2013–2014 and for serving as Chairperson for eight years.”

Community Party & Historic Exhibition

A wonderful Community Party and Historic Exhibition was hosted on October 12th, featuring the unveiling of our new “The Pound Cross” plaque, alongside members of the O’Sullivan family, in tribute to our much-missed and recently deceased PRO, Cionnaith O’Súilleabháin. His wife, Nina Ahern, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the Historic Exhibition.

Visitors were invited to take a trip through almost 140 years of local history — stepping back in time to explore Darrara through the ages. Highlights included:

• 97-year-old class photographs from the Old School, featuring children who walked to school barefoot
• A cosy “hot cocoa by the fire” display
• Stories of the Ring Rovers GAA Club, established in 1945
• Press clippings of the UFO sighting in Ring Village in 1979
• Photos from the last day at the Old School in 1985 and the official opening of the New School in 1986
• The development of Darrara Community Council over the past four decades
• A Children’s Art Competition: “I Love Darrara – Past, Present & Future”

The exhibition became a real talking point locally, attracting hundreds of past pupils and residents over two weekends. It offered a wonderful opportunity to share memories, browse photos, and reconnect with friends and neighbours.

A Night of Storytelling to Close the Celebrations

Our celebrations concluded on October 18th with a beautiful Storytelling Show featuring Pakie O’Callaghan — of RTÉ fame and co-creator of the hit stage comedy Santa Ponsa or Bust. Pakie treated the audience to a heart-warming evening celebrating the wit, warmth, and wonder of Eamon Kelly, one of Ireland’s greatest storytellers.

Enjoy the photos, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating 40 years of Darrara Community Council!