Historic election for Delvin

The forthcoming local elections on June 5 will be an historic one for Delvin, above all villages and towns in Westmeath, with three candidates from the area vying for a seat on Westmeath County Council.Delvin hasn"t a native, elected councillor since the late P.J. O"Shaughnessy served until the election of 2004, and this time around, locals will have a chance to elect one of seven Coole area candidates - three of them resident in Delvin.Bernie Comaskey, Mick Kenny and Dermot Mullen will be on the ballot paper, joined by Raharney"s John Shaw, Cllr. Frank McDermott (Fore), Cllr. Paddy Hill (Castletown-Finea) and Cllr. Dan McCarthy (Galmoylestown).Bernie, a native of Drumcree, is a successful businessman who lives at Bracklyn, just outside the village of Delvin. He is hoping to gain a Fine Gael seat for Delvin, alongside his running mate, Cllr. Frank McDermott. Married to Pamela, Bernie has proven that over the years he can succeed at anything he turns his hand to, and now he"s looking for a chance to do the same in politics.Mick Kenny is Sinn Féin"s first election candidate in Delvin since Laurence Ginnell contest the general election during the birth of the Irish Free State in the 1920s. A seasoned community activist, and a member of a number of local organisations, Mick is one of the founders of the Keenan Darmody Sinn Féin cumann in Delvin.The third Delvin candidate on the list is Dermot Mullen. Born and bred in Delvin, Dermot ran a number of successful business enterprises in the Valley, before enjoying even more success in the pub trade in Mullingar. As an independent candidate, Dermot is immune from the stigma of party politics and by all accounts, has got a very good reaction on the doorsteps.Also seeking a strong vote in Delvin will be Raharney"s John Shaw, who is Cllr. Paddy Hill"s running mate for Fianna Fáil. A popular Raharney and Westmeath hurler, John is the youngest candidate running for office in the Coole area, and will seek to curry favour with Delvin"s large and youthful GAA following on June 5.Labour"s Cllr. Dan McCarthy recently launched his election campaign in Delvin, while incumbent councillors Frank McDermott and Paddy Hill may also benefit from solid votes in the Delvin area due to their work in the area over the past five years.With an estimate 2,000 voters in the greater Delvin area, the district has become a key focus of attention ahead of the forthcoming vote on June 5.Contributions for Parish AnnualIt"s that time of year again: when the Parish of Delvin Annual Magazine goes through the preparation stages. Contributors are asked to have their submissions in to the Parochial House, Delvin or to editor, Paul Hughes by Friday, June 12, and articles which are submitted earlier will be given priority for inclusion.Stories, club reports, old photographs and wedding or baptism photos would be most welcome.Unislim classesUnislim classes continue at Clonmellon Community Centre on Wednesdays at 7.30pm. For more details, contact Helen on 087-2738507.40th Year CelebrationPreparations are continuing for the 40th Year celebration of the establishment of St. Tola"s National School. There will be a sports day held on Saturday, June 27 in the school grounds, starting at 2pm. Later that evening, the celebrations will continue with a "Picnic and Music" Event in the grounds, with music provided by various bands and local artists. The 40th Year Magazine will be formally launched at this event. Tickets are on sale at €10 from the school at 044-9664457 or by contacting John Donlon at 087-9090774.