Galway Gaels rock Coventry

THE real spirit of the great Gaels of Ireland is often epitomised best by the ones who went away. That indomitable Celtic spirit was very visible by the enthusiasm and the camaraderie in evidence at the Galway Association of Coventry at its 50th anniversary celebrations last week.
It really was a case of Galway boys and girls hurray as the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry was packed to capacity by not just the Galwegians who went away but the next generation and the generation after them, to whom the British midlands is their physical home but Galway is still the spiritual home across the sea.
The bravery of those who went away to make their home in the UK in times past was summed up best of all in an unscripted speech from the heart by special guest Galway three-in-row All-Ireland football star Bosco McDermott.
“I was one of those who stayed at home but I have nothing but admiration for the ones who went away. In the Ireland of the 1960s that I grew up in many young men (and women) of 20 said good-bye.
“They had the courage to face new challenges, they left their comfort zone and everyone who did has written a separate and very distinct story.

Read the full feature and see all the photos in this week's edition