Geraldine Ryan-O’Shea, ADRG sadly passed away after a prolonged battle in hospital aged 93 years.  

She was a great character and made major contributions to Irish dancing in so many parts of Australia and through her dancing group which performed in so many countries throughout Europe, Korea, Russia, Japan etc.

She had been teaching Irish dancing in Australia for close to eighty years.

In 1952 she travelled to Ireland, as the first from North America/Australasia to study the most recent developments in Irish dancing in Ireland and qualified as first TCRG from outside of Ireland/England.

On her return she introduced the concept of the light reel in the pumps.

Geraldine was a TCRG, and ADCRG and acted as an examiner on early CLRG exams in Australia and was Vice President of CLRG for some years.

Recently she was honoured by receiving the highly prestigious Australia Day Award granted by Queen Elizabeth II and bestowed on Geraldine at a special ceremony in Canberra at the residence of the Queens Representative - the Governor General of Australia.

Geraldine is survived by her son Paddy (Patrick) and daughter, Geraldine Jn, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She was truly a great friend and as the Irish saying goes “The likes of her will not be seen again “

sadly missed — your old friend John Cullinane.   

CLRG extends its deepest sympathies to her son Paddy and daughter Geraldine Jn on the loss of their mother, a highly regarded member of the organisation.

The funeral is Friday 8th December 2023 St Scholastics Catholic Church in Bennettswood:

10.30am Rosary, 10.50am Funeral.

Mary Kelly R.I.P

We regret to inform you of the death (following a short illness)  of long standing member of CLRG Mary Kelly ADCRG, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne U.K.

Mary was an active member of the Irish community in Newcastle serving on many committees of the Tyneside Irish Centre over the years and also as Lady Mayoress of the city.

As a member of CLRG from the North East region Mary served for many years on Coiste Faire as a member and also Chairperson. This year she worked at both Oireachtas na hÉireann in Killarney and Oireachtas na Cruinne in Montreal as a member of that committee.

CLRG extends its deepest sympathies to her daughters Tara and Sinéad and her son Peter on the loss of their mother a highly regarded member of the organisation.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam

Mary will be received into St. Dominics Church, Newcastle on Monday 20th November at 6.45p.m. with her funeral Mass taking place at 10.00a.m. on Tuesday 21st November followed by internment in Heaton Cemetery at 11.15a.m.

All enquiries to Watsons Funeral Directors Ltd. Gateshead. Tel: (0191) 4771484.

Tomás Mac Ruairí, Iar-Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge ar shlí na fírinne

Tá Conradh na Gaeilge faoi bhrón mór agus nuacht inniu go bhfuil Tomás P.T. Mac Ruairí (1939–2023), Iar-Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, agus ball de Choiste Gnó Chonradh na Gaeilge imithe ar Shlí na Fírinne. 

B’fhathach é Tomás i saol na Gaeilge agus i saol na hÉireann. Ó chéad-chláraigh sé mar bhall de Chonradh na Gaeilge i 1955, chaith sé tréimhsí fada éagsúla mar bhall ar Choiste Gnó agus ar Bhuanchoiste na hEagraíochta ó 1962 i leith. Bhunaigh sé Craobh Bhréanainn de Chonradh na Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath agus bhí sé gníomhach san Ardchraobh agus ar Choiste Ceantair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhunaigh sé Coláiste Samhraidh faoi choimirce a chraoibhe i dTír an Fhia. Chaith sé seal mar Oifigeach Preasa agus mar Thimire leis an gConradh sna 1960í, tráth a rinne sé eagarthóireacht ar an iris Rosc agus ar chomhordaigh sé Comóradh 50 Bliain Chonradh na Gaeilge ar Éirí Amach na Cásca i 1966. Ba é Tomás a d’eagraigh an t-imeacht seolta in Uimhir 6 Sráid Fhearchair nuair a bhog an eagraíocht go dtí an teach sin i 1966. Toghadh mar Thánaiste i 1994 é agus bhí sé mar Uachtarán ar Chonradh na Gaeilge ó 1998 go 2003.

Taobh amuigh dá chuid oibre le Conradh na Gaeilge, chaith Tomás a shaol ag iriseoireacht leis an Irish Press, Inniu agus irisí eile. Bhí sé mar stiúrthóir ar an gComhlacht Chumarsáide Creagáin Teo, agus ar CCC Nuacht Teo. Bhí sé mar dhuine de bhunaitheoirí Gaelscoileanna Teo agus de Scoil Neasáin, áit ar fheidhmigh sé mar bhainisteoir deonach ó 1970 go 1974. Bhí spéis mhór aige sa chraoltóireacht, agus bhí sé mar Rúnaí ar Bhord Raidió na Life ó 2010 go 2023. Chaith sé tréimhsí éagsúla ar Bhord Sheachtain na Gaeilge, bhí sé mar Chathaoirleach ar Choiste Oireachtas na Gaeilge ó 1955 go 1996, mar Uachtarán ar Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ó 2004 go 2010, agus mar Cheannasaí na hÉireann ar Fhéile Idircheilteach Lorient ar feadh ceathrú chéid. Tá sé mar Chathaoirleach reatha ar An Siopa Leabhar ó 2017.

Déanann Conradh na Gaeilge comhbhrón lena bhean chéile, Síle, agus a chlann uilig.

Ag labhairt inniu, dúirt Paula Melvin, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge:

“Is méala mór do chairde Chonradh na Gaeilge agus do phobal na teanga ar fad bás Thomáis Mac Ruairí. Déanann Conradh na Gaeilge comhbhrón lena mhuintir i mBaile Átha Cliath agus in Ard Mhacha, agus lena chuid cairde go léir. Tá fuinneamh ar leith tógtha aige i ngluaiseacht na teanga le Conradh na Gaeilge agus táimid ar fad faoi chomaoin aige as.”

Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.