Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Last weekend, Naas and Kill saw the inaugural Féile Liam O'Flynn, a festival on a national stage that will become an annual festival to celebrate the life, times and contribution of famous and renowned Kildare uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn. It also celebrated the contribution of so many Kildare people to music. There were workshops, scholarships and sessions, and thousands flocked to Naas. There were full houses and exceptional goodwill and atmosphere, supported by the spouse of the late Liam O'Flynn, Jane O'Flynn. We were so lucky to have her there. I was privileged to chair the festival's founding committee. My lasting memory is of the dedicated efforts of volunteers. Everyone on that committee was not just exceptionally dedicated but was so professional and patriotic in their endeavours. The culmination of the weekend's festivities was the awarding of the inaugural Féile Liam O'Flynn perpetual trophy to well-known Kildare man, Dónal Lunny, in order to recognise his contribution to music. The aim of the whole festival was to celebrate traditional Irish and folk music and how it is the heartbeat of our nation. To see people flock to Naas from the four corners of Ireland and abroad did the heart good and emboldened us. This festival is definitely here to stay. Last weekend in Naas and Kill was a wonderful experience.