2015 Grand Marshal [A]

Message from 2015 Grand Marshal – Jenny Casey

I am the eldest daughter of Mick and Maureen Casey and sister of Gervaise . I was born and bred in Clane. I am delighted and honoured to be the Grand Marshal for this year`s St. Patrick’s Day Festival. I would like to thank the committee for this honour and I look forward to taking part and I wish them continued success.

I am a past pupil of Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane. While attending Scoil Mhuire I was involved in the Festival of Clane Fundraiser for the new Sports Hall in the school. I was also involved in the Camogie, Soccer & Field events and my love for Sports continues today. I played Camogie for Clane for many years. I represented the club from Underage to Senior level. I was also a GAA Referee for a number of years. While it’s a hard job refereeing a game of either Football, Hurling or Camogie, I really enjoyed it.

I am a member of the Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association since 2010. This year will mark my 4th Cap for representing Ireland in Home International Event which in 2015 will be held in Grafham Water near Cambridge in June. In 2013 I received my First Gold Medal with the Irish Team and the competition was held in Ireland which made it all the more sweeter! Also, in 2013 I was nominated for the Kildare People of the Year Award along with the Irish Captain Julie Gerry.

Following my Leaving Certificate, I studied Hotel Catering and worked in Barberstown Castle and the K Club. From there my passion for the Rights of young people shone through and I decided to make a career choice and go into Youth Work. I continued this path working with YCW, Cabra Youth Project and Leixlip Youth Premises Group. I was a Director of Kildare Youth Services for a number of years that dealt with Services such as Counselling, Advocacy, Funding, and Lobbying for Rights and Services for young people in Kildare.

In 2010, due to cuts in funding for Youth Leaders, I decided to go back and study my other passions i.e. History and Geography. While attending NUIM I was President of the Geography Society and was Class Rep for the History Group. I completed my Double Honours Degree in 2013 and I hope to go into teaching in the future.

Other passions of mine include Local Politics. I was involved in the Clane Mayoral Campaign in the P.J Sheridan Camp. I also enjoy Theatre – you may know me as Larry The Leprechaun and L’Oreal with Clane Abbey Players. I enjoy taking part in the Pantos and fundraising for the two Primary Schools in Clane. I have received nominations for the Joe Higgins Award for my pastoral work within the community and was a helper with the Lourdes Fund where I also went on pilgrimage with the local group.

I was a Judge at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2010 and now in 2015 I am looking forward to my role as Grand Marshal.

To my family and friends, a sincere thanks for your support. I am looking forward to seeing you on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the entire Festival.

Jenny xxx