Pioneers enjoy weekend of celebration in Mullingar
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Most Reverend Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath; Frances Egan, president, Pioneer Total Abstinence Association; Rose-Elizabeth Carey, chairperson, Leinster Youth Committee; Fr Robert McCabe, Central Spiritual director, PTAA, and Muredach Tuffy, chairperson, board of management, PTAA.Image 2 of 16
May Egerton, Marie Mangan and Carmel Carty.Image 3 of 16
Joe and Nora Connaire.Image 4 of 16
Maria Glynn and David Colgan at the Annebrook for the PTAA ball.Image 5 of 16
James Curran, and Sarah and Michael Carey.Image 6 of 16
Emma Harte and Nuala Dargan seated and waiting for dinner to be served at the PTAA ball Saturday night event.Image 7 of 16
Ann Quinn, Mary Riggs and Kitty Ledwith, all from Ballynacargy.Image 8 of 16
Anne Lynn and Tom and Mary Walsh.Image 9 of 16
Mary and Pat Gaffney from Cullion.Image 10 of 16
Cepta and John Connors and Bart Garry were among the local guests at the 25th National Pioneer Ball, which was organised by the Leinster Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) Youth and Activities Committee, and took place over a weekend in Mullingar; the meal was at the Annebrook House Hotel.Image 11 of 16
Emily and Michael Cassidy and Eamon Reilly.Image 12 of 16
Shay and Kathleen Murtagh.Image 13 of 16
Mary Costello and Rose Carey.Image 14 of 16
Fr Patrick Moore, PPVF Spiritual Director, Castlepollard Pioneers; Rose-Elizabeth Carey, chairperson, Leinster Youth Committee; Bishop Tom Deenihan; Frances Egan, president, Pioneer Total Abstinence Association; Fr Robert McCabe, Central Spiritual director, PTAA.Image 15 of 16
Camillus Egerton and Heads Up kept the dance floor busy!Image 16 of 16
Elizabeth Rose Carey making a presentation to Frances Egan, Pioneer president, during the event in Mullingar.The 25th National Pioneer Ball, which was organised by the Leinster Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) Youth and Activities Committee, took place on Saturday April 6 in Mullingar. The gathering commenced with the celebration of Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King by Bishop Tom Deenihan, and was followed by a social gathering of Pioneers and friends of Pioneers in the Annebrook House Hotel.
More than 200 guests from every province in Ireland attended.
The Ball consisted of a four-course meal at the Annebrook House Hotel, followed by freshly baked cake from Fraynes Home Bakery, Mullingar. One of the main features of the evening took place after the meal had been served, which was the delivery of an address by a specially selected guest speaker – this year, that was Frances Egan from County Galway, who is the newly-elected and first female Pioneer president.
Frances offered many valuable messages in her address, while compelling those in attendance to reflect on the importance of a spiritual response for people living under the shadow of addiction.
The evening concluded with music provided by Camillus Egerton and Heads Up, plenty of dancing, a raffle with terrific prizes and many opportunities for photographs and conversation.
As the National Pioneer Ball was celebrating its silver anniversary, the committee (mostly aged 18-35) arranged a full weekend of fun and extra celebratory activities for attendees to enjoy. On the Friday evening, those in attendance enjoyed tea in the Annebrook House Hotel, followed by bowling in Rock ‘n’ Bowl.
On the Saturday, historian and author Ruth Illingworth led a walking tour of Mullingar and explained to the group the history of local sites of interest including All Saints Church, the Cathedral of Christ the King, the Joe Dolan statue and the venue for the first meeting of the Mullingar Pioneers.
To conclude the weekend, attendees visited the Franciscan Abbey in Multyfarnham on Sunday April 7 for a morning of spiritual reflection. Mass was celebrated in the Friary Church by Fr Kieran Cronin, OFM, and Fr Seamus Houlihan, and was followed by Stations of the Cross at the life-sized stations garden with Fr Seamus.
The afternoon, and full event, concluded with a lunch in Abbey Blooms Café.
The committee would like to sincerely thank all those who attended the 25th National Pioneer Ball, and those who supported the event in any way. If you would like to become involved in the Leinster Young Pioneers, or you are interested in finding out more, make contact at leinsteryouthcommittee@gmail.com.