Newbridge Community Games celebrate Golden Jubilee

From Day 1 — incredibly fifty years ago this year — Newbridge was one of the strongest Community Games areas, not only in the county of Kildare, but in the entire country.
So strong in fact that it was deemed necessary to form two areas within the town, St Conleth's and St Brigid's, to cater for all the young people who were so talented, so interested and so enthusiastic in getting involved.
Unlike most other areas, Newbridge in times gone by actually held trials for many of the field sports while also holding auditions for those interested in singing, dancing, music and recitation.
While the person responsible for getting the Community Games up and running in the town was the late Bro. Paul Brennan, a teacher in the Patrician Secondary School; three of the original people along with Bro Paul remain involved, fully committed, and still at the heart of Community Games in Newbridge to this day, namely Teresa Harrison, Peter O'Neill and Michael Donoghue. This trio have seen the Games grow and grow over the last fifty years way beyond what they, or anyone had hoped for or expected.
Initially the Games covered individual athletics track and field events, swimming and numerous indoor and outdoor team events.
This programme has been extended over the years to include cultural events such as draughts, chess, quiz, project, rounders, skittles and talent which covers singing, dancing, music and recitation, to mention a few.
From the mid-70s Newbridge has produced many future stars in Gaelic football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and athletics, many going on to represent their country at international level.
Indeed in Gaelic football U13 alone gold, silver and bronze medals came in different years in that era, many going on to represent their county at senior inter-county level.
Yet another event to blossom down the years was the old variety competition where the talent in the town was incredible.
Community Games can be proud of it's huge achievements in a wide range of interests and indeed positive community developments.
For many young aspiring competitors Community Games was where early targets and goals were set for future years and it was not all about competition but building forever memories and experiences that children will carry for life.
And so fifty years since its foundation Newbridge Community Games are about to mark, and celebrate, that remarkable achievement with a social gathering at Ryston, Newbridge, on Saturday 23 November.
No doubt that evening will be full of nostalgia, fully of memories and an evening and an opportunity to meet old friends, acquaintances and take a look back at local and national participation and relive those great days that culminated in the national finals at Butlin's in Mosney.
Proceedings on 23 November will get under way at 8 pm in Ryston and on display will be a plethora of old photos and press cuttings, a night not to be missed.
Tickets are €10, food and music included and for more information contact Peter O'Neill 087-2422380; Teresa Harrison 087- 6505516 or the Newbridge Parish Centre.