Report - National Pioneer Seminar and Activities Weekend ~ Knock 2003

The National Pioneer Senior Seminar and Activities weekend organised by the Connaught Young Pioneer Committee, was held in the Belmont Hotel, Knock from 7th – 9th November. The theme of the weekend was: “P.T.A.A. ~ A National Solution”. The committee felt that in light of all the publicity regarding young people and alcohol the government and media have totally ignored the Young Pioneers as an alternative way of life for young people. The young people in the pioneers organise a vast array of events including: Sports, Readoiri, Quizzes, Junior and Senior Seminar and Activities Weekend, National Ball, National Concert, Gradam na Readoiri etc. Many young people participate in these events each year but many more are not aware that they are taking place. The committee felt that the Pioneers, which believe in total abstinence of alcohol and drugs until they are of at least the legal age, could be the answer to under age drinking if more young people were given the opportunity to get involved.

Many pioneers, both young and old, from all over Ireland, attended the Seminar. The event began on Friday evening where a group of young pioneers gathered at the Belmont Hotel and then proceeded to Castlebar where they partook in a number of activities at the Castlebar Leisure Centre. On arrival back at the hotel there were many hours of music, song and laughter as everyone got to know one another.

Saturday morning bought an action-packed timetable of talks, discussions and entertainment. President of the Connaught Provincials Activities Committee, Ann Hyland and Chairperson of the National P.T.A.A. Youth Committee, Dermot Fagan officially opened the weekend. The first speaker for the day was Garda Peter Sarsfield from Claremorris who gave a very informative and detailed talk about the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs (Garda Drugs Unit) in Ireland today. Everyone present had the opportunity to ask questions and see at first hand what the common drugs look like and the dangers associated with them.

The next speaker was Peadar Flaherty who works part-time for Hope House. Hope House helps victims of alcohol and their families. Peadar gave a very personal and touching speech on the scourge of drink and the devastation it causes on both the alcoholic and their families. He noted that approximately 10% of drinkers become alcoholics and the consequences can be devastating. Many of the people present including non-pioneers, felt that the media and government should be letting our young people see what over use of alcohol can lead to. Many look on the “alcoholic” as an older person and they are not aware of the 13 and 14 year olds who are already attending treatment centres. It was suggested that the advertisements glamorising drink should be replaced with something warning young people of the dangers associated with drink.

The session ended up with an Open Forum, which was chaired by Sean Coll (President of P.T.A.A.) and Padraic Naughton (Chief Executive Officer). Everyone got the chance to give their view on the position of the P.T.A.A. in modern day society and what the Pioneers must do in order to continue to carry out the good work that they do. It was suggested that since the Pioneers are a registered charity that they might organise fund-raising events to help victims of alcohol and drugs over the coming years. A lot of discussion revolved around the promotion of the Pioneers. A lot more work needs to be done to advertise the events, which, the Pioneers voluntary organise and it is vital, that parents and teachers also get involved.

At the end of this session all the young people present headed to Castlebar again where they went go-karting until 8pm when the highlight of the weekend, the Banquet Dinner, was held. A large number of people attended the Banquet including many students from St. Colman’s College, Mount St. Michael, Ballyhaunis Community School, Ballinrobe Community School, Headford Secondary School and Swinford Secondary School. The guest speaker for the night was Dr Jerry Cowly T.D. who was accompanied by his wife Theresa. Also present were Fr Michael McGreil and Dr Michael Loftus. Dr Jerry Cowley, speaking as both physician and politician gave a very informative and detailed speech. He commenced by giving a thorough account of the effects of alcohol on young people and he mentioned some harrowing stories, which he had come across as his years as a G.P. He also discussed the new laws regarding young people on licensed premises after 9pm and gave an account of what the government is and needs to be doing to lessen the plight of underage and binge drinking in Ireland. He ended by inviting the Young Pioneers up to Dáil Eireann at a later date. Other speakers for the night included Dr Michael Loftus, Ann Hyland, Sean Coll and Dermot Fagan. A presentation was made to Sean T. Kelly from Glinsk who was a guest at the seminar. Sean was accompanied by his wife. Sean has voluntarily given his service as a qualified referee in the Pioneer Sports over the past number of years and he has always given the young pioneers his full support. The committee wished to show their appreciation to Sean and he was presented by Dr Jerry Cowley with a crystal clock and bronze sculpture to mark his achievement. After the dinner Matts Lads provided the music for what turned out to be a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable night.

Sunday Mass was celebrated by Fr John Nally from Tullamore who had travelled to Knock for the weekend. His homily was on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is very central to the Pioneer Movement. He explained why the Sacred Heart is the symbol associated with the Pioneers and where it originated from. Sean Coll gave the last talk of the weekend after Mass where he again explained the importance of the spiritual aspect of the P.T.A.A. Sean gave all the young people present the chance to ask questions regarding this topic and it was a very relaxing and appropriate way to bring the weekend to a close. Sean Coll conducted the closing ceremony and his message for the young people present was to go out and spread the word of the pioneers in their local area. He asked that everyone try and participate in all the activities organised by the Pioneers over the coming year. With that, Sean formally bought the weekend to a close.

The organising committee including: Anne Mulkeen (Chairperson); Caroline Walshe (Secretary) and Patricia Gallagher and Matthew Mulkeen (P.R.O) wish to extend their sincere thanks to the following people: Dr Jerry and Teresa Cowley; Dr Michael Loftus, Fr Michael McGreil; Fr John Nally; Fr Michael Mannion; Ann Hyland, Sean Coll, Padraic Naughton; Dermot Fagan; Garda Peter Sarsfield; Peadar Flaherty; and all the pioneers who supported them throughout the weekend.

They would also like to thank their sponsors including; Claremorris Credit Union and Kiltimagh Credit Union. A special word of thanks to all at Connacht Gold, who always give generously to the Young Pioneers, whenever they are organising an event. Without their generous donations the committee would not have been able to run this event.

The committee would also like to thank all the businesses who provided spot prizes for the night: Spar, Ballyhaunis Rd; Claremorris; Hillside Service Station & Mace Convenience Shop; Ballyhaunis Rd; Claremorris; Little Sams Stores, Claremorris; Supervalu, Main street, Kiltimagh; Costcutter (Heneghans), Knock; Carrolls Supermarket, Main Street, Kiltimagh; Village News, Kiltimagh, The Paper Shop, Main Street, Kiltimagh; Gallaghers, Church Street, Kiltimagh; Heneghans Pharmacy and Stauntons Pharmacy, Main Street Kiltimagh.

Finally, the committee would like to extend sympathy to Fr Joe Delaney who’s mother passed away over the weekend. Fr Joe is Spiritual Director for the Connaught Provincials Activities Committee and a life long member of the Pioneers. He was to give a talk on the promotion of the pioneers over the weekend but sadly was unable to do so because of the death of his mother.