Raymond McBrien
FANS of the 2012 film, ‘Papillon’ will recall the harsh existence of convicts sent by the French to Devil’s Island in French Guiana, and the attempt(s) by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman to escape.
That fate awaits 30 people from across Fermanagh who have been served notice by their French counterparts, Belnaleck Art MacMurrough’s Club.
The 30, who already know their fate, are to be taken prisoner, transported and banished to Cleenish Island on Friday, 17th June. There, they will live the life of a 6th Century monk/nun for a day and a night, and they will only be released on receipt by their jailers of a release fee of £1,000.
This bizarre fundraising venture is Belnaleck Art MacMurrough’s major pitch development fundraiser for 2016, and, with that in mind, the club is reaching out to family and friends across the community and the wider GAA family in Fermanagh and beyond seeking their support.
For the record, the club is currently hitting the high spots at both club and county level, with two playing members in the 41-strong senior squad and one in the 39-man minor (U-18) squad at Brewster Park on Sunday last.
So-called ‘friends of the ‘convicts’ will be asked to justify the banishment by contributing to a short video clip posted on the club web site prior to their arrest and detention.
The bail money is being raised by the family and friends of the prisoners via sponsorship and across a wide range of fund raising events over the coming month.
Subject to their bail being paid, the ‘prisoners’ will be released in time for the grand homecoming event in Cleenish Hall on the evening of Saturday, 18th June.
While on Cleenish Island, the prisoners won’t have time to enjoy the view as they will have to carry out various tasks similar those living there in the 6th century. (These will be shown to guests at the ‘Homecoming’).
Malachy McConnell, the chairman of Belnaleck Art MacMurrough’s Club thanked everyone for their generosity and support to date.
“We have support from friends across Fermanagh and beyond, we have plenty going on and we would appreciate everyone’s support in getting behind these brave ‘prisoners’.”
The ‘devil’s island’ event follows on from last year’s ‘Bike 1630’.
If the community support for ‘Banished’ is forthcoming, the club expect to begin work on their new pitch in the Spring of 2017.
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