N.I. First Minister Designate returns to Fermoy birthplace

Sinn Féin vice president and First Minister Designate, Michelle O’Neill, returned to her birthplace in Fermoy this week as part of a two-day visit to East Cork.

While in the town, the First Minister elect also visited her former family home on Oliver Plunkett Hill where she was born, stating that it was an ‘emotional’ visit.

“I have had a great time visiting my old family home in Cork, where I was born. It was great to speak with our old neighbours in Fermoy, who recounted happy stories of my father, mother and of our family. My heart is in Tyrone, but I will forever have a place in my heart for the people of Cork,” she said.

On Monday evening, a public meeting was held at Fermoy Community Youth Centre on Ashe Quay, where Michelle met with local community groups, businesses and members of the public.

Local artist Gerard Harris, who lives near Conna, made a presentation to Ms O’Neill of a framed poster illustration of Fermoy.

Speaking with The Avondhu, Mr Harris said that the piece had been purchased from the Blackwater Valley Makers’ shop in the town as a gift to Ms O’Neill, as something from her place of birth.

“They wanted to give her something from the area, so they came into the Maker’s shop and they chose my piece, which is nice. I spoke with her (Ms O’Neill) briefly about the picture. She was delighted with it and said she was going to put it up in her home,” Mr Harris said.

The public meeting was chaired by Cllr Danielle Twomey of the East Cork Municipal District, while Cork East TD Pat Buckley was also in attendance.

“What a lovely welcome from the people of Cork, a first-class people. It was great to listen to so many workers and families, who are excited about the real change that is taking place across our island,” Ms O’Neill added.

Local piper of the Thomas Kent Pipe Band in Fermoy, Samantha O’Connor Costigan, performed some marches and slow airs before Ms O’Neill was welcomed to the stage. She also played Amhrán na bhFiann.

“It was an honour to play for her. She is a very nice woman, she took questions from the audience and I got a photo with her at the end of the night. People came from all over to see her, there were people from Kilkenny and Waterford there,” Samantha told The Avondhu.

FURTHER VISITS

Continuing on her visit to East Cork, Ms O’Neill also visited the Owenacurra Mental Health Centre in Midleton, which currently has ten residents and is subject to closure despite protests from former patients and families of residents.

“It was a pleasure to meet a range of local groups, alongside local Sinn Féin representatives Pat Buckley TD and Cllr Danielle Twomey, including families impacted by the proposed closure of Owenacurra, who are bravely resisting the planned closure of services at the centre. Their campaign has our full support.

“I also met with SECAD, the Carrigtwohill Family Resource Centre, with Jameson Distillery as well as the Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce and the Cobh Tourist Office, who are all doing fantastic work in the community and working to retain and create jobs in East Cork,” Ms O’Neill said.