Burtonport hosts memorial tribute to the 'hugely popular' Noreen McGarvey

St. Columba’s Community Centre, Burtonport was full to capacity last Thursday night for a memorial tribute night to our hugely popular local councillor and community activist, the late Noreen McGarvey, Meenmore.

The event was organised by Noreen’s beloved Burtonport Variety Group, in which she paid such a large part for years.

The setting was beautifully decorated with special lighting and a sound system, which added greatly to the event. People of all age groups were in attendance from various parts of the county. Amongst those in attendance were Rev. Fr. Pat Ward, P.P, Rev. Fr. Matt McInerny and Fr. John Joe Duffy C.C, Pat the Cope Gallagher, former TD and MEP, Councillors Anthony Molloy, Ciaran Brogan and Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig, Noreen’s parents Seamus and Susie, her daughter Amy, sister Debbie and other members of the McGarvey family, participated in different ways with the entertainment.

International singing star Daniel O’Donnell joined the variety group for the night to the delight of all present. MC for the night was John Andy Boner, who as always did a fantastic job.

Music was provided by Joe Rodgers, Hughie Boyle, PJ Sweeney, Dominic Sweeney and Fr. Pat Ward. Noel Boylan was on sound and Leon McIntyre on lighting.

The show commenced with Acres Church Choir on stage, who Noreen conducted for almost 30 years. Next on stage were the very talented “Suantraí” traditional group, followed by the All Ireland Fife and Drum band champions, Maghery Band. The 3rd act was the very popular Scór group from our locality, under the directorship of Eugene McGarvey with two sketches.
This group have participated at County, Ulster and All Ireland Finals and is a credit to the area. An interval followed, where all present were offered tea, coffee and food. Before the second half commenced, a beautiful memorial plaque to Noreen was unveiled by the Festival Committee and two of her closest people, Eugene McGarvey and David Alcorn.

Noreen was a former director of the Festival for some 25 years. The plaque is erected in the Centre and people are always welcome to view it.

The second half of the show featured the Burtonport Variety Group under the management of sisters Mary McGee and Margaret Reilly and their performance was of it’s excellent high standards. They sang many of Noreen’s favourites, with a stand-out moment being her daughter Amy’s rendition of “You Can’t Get a Man Without a Gun”, for which she received a standing ovation.

Their final tribute song was “You Raise Me Up,” which was sung with each member holding a lit candle in a dark background, which was most poignant. Indeed at the end of the show, the consensus was that it’s a great credit to a small area to have such talent at its disposal.

Many thanks were conveyed to all who contributed in any way, to those who donated food, prizes for the draw and the staff of the Community Centre. A very impressive amount of €2,550 was collected with donations at the door and this amount will be split between Gemma’s Legacy of Hope and the new projector for Acres Church, where both groups will receive €1,275. Both excellent projects, which Noreen was very much a part of. Separately, a total of €1,100 was collected from the half-time draw and this goes directly towards St. Columba’s Community Centre. This was a special night’s entertainment in memory of one wonderful and much-missed lady.