Newry welcomes Rith 2010

Sinn Féin Assembly Members Caitríona Ruane and Conor Murphy pictured with children from Bunscoilanlúir before the Newry leg of the sponsored run

Sinn Féin Assembly ministers Caitríona Ruane and Conor Murphy took part in a leg of the Rith 2010 1,600-kilometre relay run around Ireland last week as it passed through Newry.
Rith 2010 was organised to raise money and awareness about the Irish language and the event was welcomed to Newry by the city’s mayor and other public representatives.
The nine-day event started in Belfast on Tuesday night and following Newry it passed through South Armagh and across the border into Louth. It is due to reach Galway city on St. Patrick’s Day, where a special message, hidden inside the baton and written by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will be read from the platform to the gathered crowds.
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said she was delighted to have been able to take part. “It was great to see all the young people running and enjoying themselves and celebrating the Irish language,” she said.
“Community groups, schools, businesses, sports clubs and individuals are al taking part in this event. Thousands of people are running to raise money for the Irish language.
“There will be lots of sore feet by the time it is all over. I wish the organisers well and hope to be able to take part again in future in what is planned to be a bi-annual event.”
All monies collected from Rith 2010 will go into an Irish language fund that will help support groups and the development of the Irish language in the year ahead.

Mayo Sinn Féin ag glacadh páirt i RITH 2010