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The Millennium Monument The Time Capsule Project Our Constitution Community Survey 1998/99 Public Awareness Meeting 1999
The Cornafean Community Development Association was formed in 1997 and is made up of representatives of the various sporting and cultural organisations in the area.
In April 1999, Cornafean Community Development
Association decided to erect a monument in Cornafean to honour the great
sporting and cultural achievements of the area, and to commemorate the advent of
the new Millennium.
For a period of several months, the organisers worked tirelessly to bring this idea to fruition, and, On Sunday 2nd January 2000, the Millennium Monument was unveiled at a special ceremony before a large attendance of local people.
The unveiling ceremony commenced with a parade by local piper Sean Kelly, and other members of the St. Mary’s Pipe Band from Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh. There then followed an Ecumenical Service which featured gospel readings by Father Oliver O’Reilly and Rev. Cecil Lindsey and Ecumenical carol singing.
Mr. Jim Hannon, Treasurer of the Development Association, delivered the keynote address, in which he reflected on the many local achievements during the past Millennium. The Official Unveiling of the Monument was then jointly performed by Mrs. Phyllis Faris and Mr. Peadar McSeain. Rev. Colm Hurley, P.P. led the blessing of the Monument, and the Very Rev. Dean Godfrey blessed all those in attendance.
Local poet Sean Masterson then recited a poem which he had written to
commemorate the occasion. Finally Mr. Dessie Harrington, Chairman of the
Development Association, thanked all those who had assisted in the design,
manufacture and installation of the monument. There then followed a fireworks
display, which was the first such event in Cornafean.
The monument is a large, unique and beautiful stone structure, a credit to the area and its people. It depicts scenes of many of the sporting and cultural activities of the area, including hunting, athletics, football and camogie, pony riding, storytelling, traditional music, dancing and ploughing. It also includes an inscription which pays tribute to the area and its people, and their achievements at home and abroad, both past and present. The 10’x 3’6" x 3’ block of limestone weighs eight tons, and stands on a slightly larger base opposite McSeains, and in front of the old Cornafean Hall
At that time it was decided to assemble a sealed time capsule, to be inserted into the Monument, which would include a record of each current member of the local population and other items recording various aspects of life in the community, with the intention that it can be opened in the year 2100.
On Saturday, 30th December 2000, a special function was held in Cornafean, during which a time capsule, containing a variety of items of local interest, was inserted into the local Millennium Monument. The Arctic weather conditions did not deter the sizeable attendance, and made the occasion all the more unique.
The Monument was erected in late 1999 by the local community Development
Association, and unveiled on New Years Day 2000, in order to herald the arrival
of the new millennium. At the time it was proposed that a time capsule would be
inserted into the monument at a future date, including a collection of items of
local interest, to be opened at the end of the 21st century.
In the intervening year, work commenced on the manufacture of the time capsule, a 2 foot high stainless steel cylinder, 1 foot in diameter, and members of the Association undertook the task of locating and collecting the many items to be stored in the capsule for posterity. This work was brought to fruition on Saturday when committee member Jim Hannon inserted the capsule into the monument.
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| Dessie Harrington |
Earlier, the Chairman of the local Community Development Association, Dessie Harrington, had addressed the gathering, giving an illuminating account of Millennium Monument project, from its initial conception to its completion. He noted that the project was financed entirely from donations received from the people and businesses of the area, without any grant assistance from any outside source. In this regard it is truly a people’s monument. He complimented the people of the area for their generosity and strong support for the project throughout the past year.
Jim Hannon then gave an account of the contents of the time capsule, which include several parcels of various items, including a list of the names of the members of all families now resident in the area, as well as details of all the corporate donors who subscribed to the project. The capsule also contains copies of several publications of local interest including the history of Cornafean GFC "Up the Reds – The Cornafean Achievement", signed by the author George Cartwright; Dean Coombe’s book on the history of Kilmore Cathedral; Fr. Dan Gallogly’s history of Killeshandra parish; the Cornafean Sports Annual of 1983; the souvenir booklet for the 50th Anniversary celebrations for Coronea Church in 1986; . the Anglo Celt 150th Anniversary book published in 1996; and the match programme of the 2000 Junior Championship final, as well as a copy of "What if the Dream Come True", a book by Moya Sheridan MacEoin, which gives an account of the career of her uncle, local man Sean Sheridan, who served Cavan as a TD for many years.
Also included is the video produced by the local Vintage Association last year, the "Mountain Road" tape of music by the Cornafean Ceili Group, a copy of "A Study of Cornafean, its People and Antiquites" completed in 1999 by Olivia Harrington, Drumkeeran, among many other items of local interest, including several odds and ends submitted by families for presentation to their descendants in one hundred years time.
In his address, Jim thanked Denis Brady of Multi-Tech Ltd in Mountain Lodge who donated the capsule for the project. Jim also thanked all those who subscribed monies to the project. A list of subscribers is on display in McSeain’s Bar.
Local piper Sean Kelly then led a short parade to the Monument, and Jim Hannon inserted the time capsule into the Monument. Undoubtedly its contents will make for very interesting reading for the people of Cornafean when it is opened on New Year Day 2100.
Name
1.
The name of the Association shall be "Cornafean
Community Development Association", hereafter called The Association.
Aims & Objectives
1. To promote the interests of Cornafean and the surrounding area, and of the people of the locality, as they pertain to the social, cultural and economic welfare of the community and where those interests represent the common good of the community.
2.
To involve all
the people represented by the Association, irrespective of class or creed, in
the provision of facilities and other improvements and initiatives, for their
social, cultural and economic welfare.
3.
This
Association does not propose to replace the work being done by existing
voluntary bodies, sporting and cultural organisations, public bodies and
agencies but shall assist and encourage all such efforts.
4.
To provide an
Association in which local residents, in conjunction with the various existing
local voluntary, sporting and cultural organisations in the area, can meet
together, to share information and experience and tackle common problems.
5.
The Association
shall be opened to new ideas, strategies and methods proposed by its members.
6.
The Association
shall make representations, as it sees fit, to Cavan County Council, Cavan
County Development Board and other relevant state and local agencies on common
issues that affect the local community.
7.
To publicise
and assist the promotion of the Association to a wider audience through the
mediums of radio, newspapers, the internet and other media, and through
organised events.
8.
To promote Community Development within Cornafean Area on a Local,
Regional and National level and to support the development of linkages with
other Community & Voluntary Associations.
9.
To be prepared
to assist new groups by offering support, information and guidelines and
encouraging community activity in other parts of County Cavan and elsewhere.
Membership
1.
Membership is open to all residents of Cornafean and surrounding areas.
2.
New members wishing to join should do so by either making an application
in writing to the Secretary or by attending a meeting of the Association.
3.
Membership fees, if any, shall be determined by the Association.
4.
The officers of the Association shall be elected annually by the
membership.
5. The Association shall meet regularly but not less than four times a year, one of which will be the A.G.M.
6.
The Chairperson, or in his/her absence the Vice‑Chairperson, shall
act as Chairperson for the duration of the meeting, provided a quorum has been
reached. In the absence of the Chair or Vice-Chair, an Acting Chair may be
appointed for the duration of that meeting only and provided that a quorum
exists.
7.
A quorum, for the purpose of any properly convened meeting of the
Association, shall be five members.
8.
Officers will rotate each year with the consensus of the Association at
the A.G.M. The maximum term of office for each officer shall be 5 years, or
otherwise as decided by the Association in general meeting.
Structure
1.
The Association will elect a:
(a)
Chairperson
(b)
Vice Chairperson
(c)
Secretary
(d)
Treasurer
(e)
Public Relations Officer.
Procedure For Meetings
1.
Running of
Meeting:
(a)
Correspondence, Apologies
(b)
Adoption of minutes will be by a proposer and a seconder.
(c)
Business of the Meeting.
(d)
Any other business (AOB).
2.
Minutes:
The Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary, who shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions.
3.
Duration of meeting:
Meetings of the Association shall be no longer than 1 hour 30 minutes in duration.
Equality Statement
1.
The Association shall implement an all-inclusive, non‑political,
non-sectarian and non-racial approach in carrying out its objectives.
2.
The Association shall strive in its composition for a balance in gender,
age and geographical representation of the residents of the Cornafean area.
Annual
General Meeting:
1.
An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held each year at
such place and time
as
the Association determines.
2.
Members of the Association shall be notified, at least 14 days in advance
of the date, time and place of the A.G.M.
Finance
1.
The Association shall appoint a Treasurer.
2.
All funds of the Association shall be deposited as soon as possible after
receipt in such Financial Institution as the Association may, by resolution,
designate.
3.
A financial statement of accounts shall be recorded on an annual basis
and in the event of the Association receiving monies or grant aid
Interpretation Of The
Rules
1.
The committee
shall be responsible for the interpretation of this constitution or any rules
and by‑laws made thereunder.
Amendment Of The
Constitution
1.
Any item of this constitution can only be changed at an Annual or Special
General Meeting of which no less than fourteen days notice has been given.
2. A minimum of two thirds
majority shall be required to call an Annual or Special General Meeting.
Cornafean Development Association needs and actively encourages new members to participate
in the activities of the Group. ~ If you are interested in joining the group, finding out more about the Survey and or the group's future plans, or if you have additional thoughts or ideas on issued and opportunities within Cornafean, please contact Anna Corcoran (Secretary).
