Special Olympics art show
06 June: Students from schools in the whole Naas area are playing their part in welcoming the New Zealand Special Olympics athletes to Naas through the Paint the Feeling art exhibition.
This is not a competition but a means of the children expressing their welcome to the NZ athletes. Two of the exhibits are by NA athletes who will be coming to Naas.
A big crowd turned up to view the 600 or so paintings by local schoolchildren on show in Naas Library.
The exhibition was formally launched on Wednesday by Naas born gymnast Rita Lawlor who competed in the 1978 International Games held in South Bent, USA.
Rita was one of 12 athletes appointed to be global messengers for the Special Olympics in 1998 and has travelled to America where she met President Bill Clinton and Muhammad Ali.
Rita has also written a book of her experiences entitled ‘Moving On’ which she plugged during her opening speech. (It’s available in all good book shops). While working in the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, she is also a gymnastics coach in Bayside, Dublin.
Sandra Butler of Naas ICA, Siobhan Bracken and Cllr Pat McCarthy pictured with Siobhan's collage.
Those present were taken on a ‘tour’ of the paintings by Orla O’Connell (education officer for the Naas Host Town Special Olympics) and Mary Walsh, (art exhibition coordinator).
Details of each athlete coming to Naas were on show and those present were asked to memorise the names so they could personally greet each athlete by name. A profile of the coaches that will be accompanying the NZ teams was also on show. Many of the coaches have been involved in training SO athletes for 20-30 years.
Local schools can also learn more from a school enrichment programme which includes videos and packs.
Orla paid tribute to the many people who have contributed in one way or another to help the Naas Host Town Committee prepare for the NZ arrival, including Naas ICA and local sponsors. She said: “There is something good and great about seeing all the schools in Naas and the young people coming together ... when there is no prize to compete for! Everyone who is here is in some way a winner because we have all been involved,” she said.
Mary Walsh emphasised this also by saying: “It isn’t often that people with special needs get a platform, so this is all very special.”
Three Naas men will be competing in the Special Olympics World Games. They are John McDonald (29), equestrian; Stephen Prendergast (23) from Lakelands and Jason Whelan (19) from Lacken View. Both latter men will be taking part on the Irish International Five-a-side soccer team.
Geraldine Kilgannon, Dennis Curran, Mary Walsh, special guest Rita Lawlor who officially opened the exhibition, Cllr Pat O'Reilly and (front) Orla O'Connell - all members of the Naas Host Town Committee.
Little Lorraine Byrne from Kilmeague, Rebecca Buckley (Newbridge), Orla O'Connell of Naas Host Town Committee, Ashling and Ciara O'Connor with their mum Colette who works for KARE in Naas; and Chloe Roker and her mum Bernadette (Caragh). They are pictured with the lips entry from KARE which stands for 'One Voice'.
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