MAY 24 (32 days prior to the cycle)
LAUNCH OF 32-IRELAND-32
On Wednesday, May 24, 32-IRELAND-32 was launched in Abbey CBS, Tipperary by Michael Babs Keating, Tipperary Hurling manager before guests that included students and teachers who had previously worked in India or are preparing to go there in October, representatives of the Board of Management and members of the media (television, radio and print.
In his address before officially launching the 32 county cycling tour Babs mentioned how he had been to a number of schools during the week speaking of his experiences of life and how indeed he had many between hurling, football, racing, rallying and in many other areas besides।
LAUNCH OF 32-IRELAND-32
On Wednesday, May 24, 32-IRELAND-32 was launched in Abbey CBS, Tipperary by Michael Babs Keating, Tipperary Hurling manager before guests that included students and teachers who had previously worked in India or are preparing to go there in October, representatives of the Board of Management and members of the media (television, radio and print.
In his address before officially launching the 32 county cycling tour Babs mentioned how he had been to a number of schools during the week speaking of his experiences of life and how indeed he had many between hurling, football, racing, rallying and in many other areas besides।
Through it all, he felt that the most important thing of all was happiness and contentment but that money and a new Merc outside the door didn’t necessarily guarantee those। However, he said, having good friends along the way was vital and that he was lucky to have good ones in all 32 counties that he could drop in on at any time.
He spoke how he had an appreciation of the need for the type of work that Abbey India Project does in north-east India। Babs had been to India many times over the last 20 years (to Bangalore, Madras and Bombay) and had seen first hand the various levels of hardship there. Plenty of hardship and poverty, but amazingly, everyone seemed to possess an extraordinary level of contentment. This contentment must be a gift from the Man above, Babs said, and in his experience it has a great effect on people who have been there and observed and reflected on this contentment in the middle of poverty.
He felt sure that it would be so for the Abbey students who would travel and that parents should have no worries about it.He urged support for the effort. A couple of Euro might be nothing to us but could do so much out there, he remarked.
He felt sure that it would be so for the Abbey students who would travel and that parents should have no worries about it.He urged support for the effort. A couple of Euro might be nothing to us but could do so much out there, he remarked.He referred to the way the Abbey was fully behind the project. He knew of how the school and the Christian Brothers had always been great supporters of Tipperary hurling over the years ever since he was a minor himself. Referring further to the Christian Brothers he spoke of how they had been such a positive influence on him during his school-days in the High School, Clonmel. Much criticism had been levelled at them over the last few years and indeed the last few days. Himself and his generation, he said, could not give enough praise to them and in his own experience to Brother Collins in particular both as regards hurling and life in general.
He thanked the Abbey for inviting him and then declared 32-IRELAND-32 to be officially on the road and wished it God’s speed.
Richard Walsh, Abbey India co-ordinator and the cyclist for the tour, then outlined how the whole event had developed about the number 32. Some of the connections were both interesting and uncanny. After giving a brief description of the route, he explained how it was undertaken to benefit the children of Providence School in Shillong 
and maintain the quality of education (academic and vocational) that would give them a ray of hope. Funds would be raised by the sponsorship of counties (Euro 320) and by means of sponsorship cards where donors would specify which county they like their amount to be set against. More information was available on the new website http://www.abbeyindia.com/
and maintain the quality of education (academic and vocational) that would give them a ray of hope. Funds would be raised by the sponsorship of counties (Euro 320) and by means of sponsorship cards where donors would specify which county they like their amount to be set against. More information was available on the new website http://www.abbeyindia.com/ Finally, John Heffernan, the Abbey principal, spoke of how the Abbey India Project fitted in so much with the vision of Edmund Rice that the way out of poverty was through education. Since Richard Walsh started the project in 2000 so many in the school community were involved – students having been there and more preparing to go in
October; his immediate predecessor, Michael Ryan, spending longer periods there and still more teachers becoming involved in 2006. He reassured all that the Abbey has a very active Third World dimension in the education provided to the students
October; his immediate predecessor, Michael Ryan, spending longer periods there and still more teachers becoming involved in 2006. He reassured all that the Abbey has a very active Third World dimension in the education provided to the students Richard Walsh then presented the Tipperary manager with a handwoven Naga shawl from the warrior tribal people of north east India. He expressed the hope that Babs would lead the warriors of Tipp to All-Ireland glory.
Afterwards, those present enjoyed the refreshments hot and cold with a little cheese and wine and also literature on 32-IRELAND-32 was available to all.
Afterwards, those present enjoyed the refreshments hot and cold with a little cheese and wine and also literature on 32-IRELAND-32 was available to all.
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