Skibbereen's Host Town Committee
See the Torch Arrive in Prague
See pictures...
Baltimore Harbour Hotel Leisure Centre Swimathon Raises Funds for
Host Town Programme
Skibbereen Host Town Volunteer Training Day
GAA Pavilion
Saturday 17th May
Czech Ambassador Visits Skibbereen
The Czech Ambassador, Mr Petr Kolar, his wife Jaroslava and their younger son Adam, attended a lunch with Skibbereen Host Town Committee Members and Skibbereen Town Councillors at the West Cork Hotel during a visit to Skibbereen on 22nd April.
Liam Hodnett, Chairman of Skibbereen Host Town and Chairman of Skibbereen Business Promotions, welcomed Mr Kolar and his family, and assured him that Skibbereen Host Town would do their utmost to make the Czech Special Olympic Team's visit to West Cork a very happy one, and would look after them very well.
Cathairleach, Mr Bernie Daly, welcomed the Ambassador, his wife and son, to Skibbereen on behalf of the Town Council and hoped that they would return in the near future for a longer stay when the Town Council would arrange an official reception. Mr Daly said that he had arranged for the Czech Republic Flag, which was presented to the Town Council by the Czech Delegation Assistant Leader on St Patrick's Day, to fly from the Courthouse in Mr Kolar's honour. Mr Daly presented Mr Kolar with a picture of the Fastnet Lighthouse.
His Excellency, Mr Kolar, said, "I am very pleased to be here today and thank you very much for your welcome. I have no doubt that our Olympic team are going to be in the best of hands. I have travelled all around Ireland and believe that they are staying in the most beautiful part of Ireland."
Liam Hodnett, on behalf of Skibbereen Host Town Committee presented Mr Kolar with a locally made clock and Skibbereen Host Town Committee Special Olympic sweatshirts.
Mr Kolar presented books on the Czech Republic to Skibbereen Host Town Committee. The books will be available to borrow from Skibbereen Library shortly.
Charity Auction
Held August 15th 2002
click for details
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Skibbereen Host Town Featured in the News
On Tuesday, 17th June, a crew from RTE visited Skibbereen to follow the Czech Special Olympics team in their Host Town.
Highlights of the day were featured on the news broadcasts on RTE throughout the day on Wednesday, 18th June.
Skibbereen Host Town also made the news on TV3 on Monday, 30th June, showing Eilis Cohalan saying good-bye to the Czech Team at
the airport, along with a short interview with Liam Hodnett.
Skibbereen Host Town opens Information Office on Monday 19th May
The office, located at 53 Bridge Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., manned by volunteers.
Telephone 028 23288 or 028 23337 for information and enquiries.
PROPOSED ITINERARY FOR CZECH
SPECIAL OLYMPICS DELEGATION
Skibbereen Host Town Committee have been working for some time to arrange an itinerary, which would accommodate the requests of the Czech Special Olympics Team and allow as many people in Skibbereen and its environs to meet the Czech athletes. A number of volunteers, who have already registered with the Host Town Programme, will be required to accompany the Czech Special Olympics team throughout their stay. The support of volunteers, even for a few hours, from 16th June to 20th June would be greatly appreciated.
The following outline of the proposed programme for the Czech Delegation will allow volunteers to decide which days or hours they are available and which events they would like to support. Full details will be posted to all registered volunteers prior to next Skibbereen Host Town Volunteer Training Day, to be held in the new CoAction Work Centre in Rossa Road on Wednesday 28th May at 9 p.m.
The Volunteer Training session will cover, the role of the volunteer, code and ethics, background to the Czech Republic, dealing with language barriers and disability awareness. Training is COMPULSORY for every volunteer.
The Czech Delegation will stay at the West Cork Hotel and the Eldon Hotel for the duration of their stay in Skibbereen. Their arrival time in Cork Airport is 11.30 p.m. on Monday, 16th June, and two buses have been booked to transport them to Skibbereen to their respective hotels. It is expected that they will arrive in Skibbereen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday 17th.
The list of sports the Czech Republic Team are participating in are, Aquatics, 3 female and 3 male, Athletics, 4 female and 4 male, cycling, 2 male and 2 female, gymnastics, 3 female and 1 male, table tennis, 3 male and 3 female, football, 8 male, unified volleyball, 10 male and female, volleyball, 10 male. The delegation consists of 56 athletes, 20 coaches and 2 delegation leaders.
Arrangements have already been made for athletes to train in their designated sports at various venues throughout the area. Volunteers will be required to travel to the training with athletes and to travel to all the venues on the proposed itinerary.
Tuesday 17th begins with breakfast, followed by a visit to all National Schools in the area prior to lunch. Separate buses will take groups of athletes to schools. Everyone will meet at the Rectory, Glandore, for lunch at 1.30 p.m. The Czech Delegation have requested to be taken to the sea, and they will travel by bus to the Warren and Long Strand after lunch. Skibbereen Town Council have invited the Czech delegation to a Civic Reception and this will be held in the Cope Foundation, Mill Road from 6 p.m. The Czech Ambassador to the Irish Republic is expected to arrive in Skibbereen and attend this reception with the Czech delegation. A Barbecue is arranged at the CoAction Centre on Rossa Road, from 7.30 p.m. with entertainment by Comhaltas, and a Disco with Tony Burke.
On Wednesday 18th the day begins with breakfast and training until 11 a.m. At 12 noon buses will take the Czech Delegates and Volunteers to Baltimore. They hope to arrive on Sherkin Island in time for lunch at the Islanders Rest at 1.30 p.m. Cape Clear, Sherkin and Heir Islanders have been invited to meet with the Czech delegation. It is hoped to have some traditional musical entertainment and that the athletes will meet the Island schoolchildren. An Exhibition Match will take place at the GAA Pavilion, Skibbereen, at 7.30 p.m. and a disco is being organised by Foroige at 9.30 p.m.
On Thursday 19th June, the Czech Delegation will split into small groups of athletes and volunteers will take them shopping around Skibbereen. Lunch will be in small groups in restaurants in Skibbereen. Friendly games at the Soccer Club and Skibbereen Sports Centre have been arranged for Thursday afternoon. The Farewell Buffet Dinner will take place at the West Cork Hotel on Thursday night, to which all the artists and sponsors, who contributed to the auction held last year in Mary Ann's Bar, Castletownshend, will be invited to meet the Czech Delegation. Other sponsors who have contributed during the year, and all volunteers, will also be invited to attend the Farewell dinner.
Friday 20th June is a free morning. Luggage will be picked up early and transported separately. A huge send off parade, and Skibbereen's very own Torch Run, will kick off from the West Cork Hotel at 12.30 p.m. on Friday 20th, with bands, street entertainment and local organisations and schools joining in to wish the Czech Republic Team good luck in the World Summer Games 2003.
Mr Bernie Daly
Cathoirleach of Skibbereen Town Council
& Martina Stredová
Co-ordinator of the Czech Republic
Special Olympic Team
with Skibbereen's Own
Special Olympics Competitors
Text & Photos by Carol Gilbert
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