Delany stampA new 48c stamp marking the 50th anniversary of Ronnie Delany's 1500m Gold Medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was launched by Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Noel Dempsey T.D., at the GPO in Dublin yesterday. Ronnie Delany was present with family members.
Fifty years ago Delany overcame home favourite John Landy to win the Gold Medal in the 1500m. He was the first Irishman to win an Olympic athletics title since Bob Tisdall in 1932.
The new stamp features a painting by Dr. Thomas Ryan RHA, painted in 1957 upon Ronnie's return to Dublin.
Studying the Big Fella
The annual Michael Collins Festival is on in Clonakilty, Co Cork, writes Haydn Shaughnessy.
The organisers have broadened the agenda to investigate more of the Collins' era as well as the life of the man, and of Irish events at home and abroad.
Michael Doyle, Bandon-based military historian, talks tonight about Irish soldiers in World War 1 and their bravery at the Battle of the Somme. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will give the oration at the Collins' statue in Clonakilty town centre on Sunday and the annual wreath laying will complete Clonakilty's commemorations on Tuesday next. www.michaelcollinscentre.com
Music for Ethiopia
Sligo-based musician Steve Wickham hosts the last in a series of concerts to benefit Ethiopia at The Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo tomorrow night. It will feature the acoustic line-up from The Waterboys. Proceeds will support a project with a primary school in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia.