Annual 2011 Camogie Congress In Belfast

THE Camogie Annual Congress was held in Belfast last weekend for the first time in its 107th year history. In a very close battle for the post of President Elect, Ulster’s Catherine O’Hara was narrowly pipped at the post by Aileen Lawlor (Westmeath). In her Presidential address an Uachtaran, Joan O’Flynn, praised the amount of work being done to promote Camogie in Antrim and Ulster.xa0 In an inspirational speech she said, “27 Camogie Presidents have stood and addressed Congress in our 107 year history.xa0 Before now, none had the honour of doing so in Belfast or in Antrim.xa0 On your behalf, and in your name, it is a privilege for me to do so today.xa0 Antrim and Ulster have a proud and rich Camogie tradition and remain faithful to our Gaelic heritage.xa0 All our Counties and Provinces are likewise.xa0 But for Antrim and Ulster the challenges were greater and you remained loyal during political conflict and difficult times that most of the rest of us did not encounter.xa0 You endured for a better society and we are here today in a changed and changing community, in a better place, in a more equal place.xa0 In Ireland, as in many societies, identity is a contested concept.xa0 Camogie is integral to our identity and it expresses: * xa0Our national identity. * xa0Our female identity. * xa0Our community identity. “Camogie is symbolic of our distinctiveness, our Irishness. Being distinctive is not about being divisive.xa0 Camogie creates a human togetherness and a connectedness – regardless of our age, our beliefs, our social circumstances or our life journeys.xa0 That is the lasting power of Camogie.xa0 That is why sport matters.xa0 Camogie uplifts us and inspires us.xa0 It changes community lives by opening doors to better health, to social inclusion, to sporting excellence and to community participation” she concluded. Full coverage of the Congress and her speech can be seen at www.camogie.ie]]>