Castletroy and District Lions host ASIST

Civil Defence volunteer Gary Shanahan would feel more confident to help someone in distress having completed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course which recently took place in the Castletroy Park hotel, hosted by the Castletroy and District Lions Club.

In Ireland more than 20,000 people have taken this course since it was development in 1983, more than a million people have taken the ASIST course, which is a two day workshop in suicide first aid. The Living Works’ ASIST programme was developed in Canada in 1983 and is a Health Service Initiative (HSE) started in 2003. Starting in Canada in the early 1980s, More than half a million people have participated worldwide – over 20,000 in Ireland. The NOSP was formed directly after the launch of Ireland’s first suicide prevention strategy; Reach Out: A National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014. The NOSP coordinates ASIST at a national level.

The course trains participants to reduce the immediate risk of a suicide and increase the support for a person at risk. It also provides opportunities to learn what a person at risk may need in order to keep safe and get more help and it encourages honest, open and direct talk about suicide as part of preparing people to provide suicide first aid.

Gary, who is a Swiftwater and Flood Responder Instructor joined the Civil Defence in 2010 said, “A huge part of what we do is search and rescue. Often the person we are searching for may be in a distress state with intent to harming themselves. Our goal is to find the person before any harm can come to them. Once found it is vital to keep the person safe until they receive the help they need. I knew from talking to others that have done this course that it would give me the skills to keep that person safe.”

The Civil Defence is largely made up of volunteers who come from all backgrounds. There are between 3,500 to 4,000 volunteers throughout the country. Each county is then managed by a Civil Defence Officer who are employees of the local authority. The Civil Defence college is based in Roscrea and the staff that work there are employed by the Department of Defence.

“Apart from meeting some fantastic likeminded people, I feel I gained a lot from the course. It gave me the confidence to approach a person in distress. The skills I learned gave me a clear end goal and a structure on how to get there. It was emotionally tough at times but well worth doing,” added Gary.

The Castletroy and District Lions Club host the ASIST every year.

For people who are affected to www.yourmentalhealth.ie for further information on services and also the 24/7 free phone numbers for Samaritan’s 116123 and Pieta House on 1800 247 247

Gary Shanahan

Castletroy & District Lions Club aids Cliona’s Foundation

President of the Castletroy and District Lions Club Rita O’Donoghue, would like to thank all who helped and attended the table quiz in aid of Cliona’s Foundation at the Castletroy Park Hotel on Friday April 21.

Though incapacitated at the time of the event Ms O’Donoghue said the evening was a great success in helping to raise funds and awareness for Cliona’s Foundation.

Phil Deegan spokesperson for Cliona’s Foundation Photo by Jen Fuentes

Cliona’s Foundation is a Limerick based charity, established in 2007 by Brendan and Terry Ring, that provides financial assistance directly to parents of children with life limiting or chronic complex care needs throughout Ireland, to help with the non medical expenses related to caring for their child.

Following the death of their daughter Cliona, from an inoperable brain tumour, Brendan and Terry set up Cliona’s Foundation, in honour of their daughter. Since its launch, the charity has raised in excess of €1.25 million euro over the past 10 years and provided assistance to over 400 families in 29 Counties.

“We were delighted to get the call from Rita advising that the Castletroy Lions Club had selected Cliona’s Foundation as beneficiary of their Annual quiz. The Lions Club do tremendous charitable work and we have been very lucky to have benefitted from their fundraising activities in previous years.

“Cliona’s Foundation relies solely on fundraising events and private and corporate donations, so this event and the monies generated from it are very important to us, to enable us continue support families who need it,” said spokesperson for Cliona’s Foundation Phil Deegan.

Phil said events like this are important for the foundation, not only for benefitting from the money received but also for the opportunity to raise awareness for the work the foundation does, such as being the only charity in the country to provide this type of support across a broad range of conditions, from birth up to the age of 16 years

The money raised from this event will go directly towards providing assistance to a family of a child with a life limiting illness, to help alleviate the pressure and stress associated with the non medical costs, such as car parking charges, accommodation, travel expenses, childcare costs or specialised equipment.

“This week we were able to send out cheques to 8 families. For one of these families both children have a life limiting illness and are travelling abroad for treatment with one of them. Both parents have taken leave from work and will be incurring significant costs at home and abroad.

“Each year is a challenge in terms of fundraising, and while we are delighted our profile has increased significantly over the past 2 years, that has also meant an increase in the number of applications we are receiving on a weekly basis. Ideally we want to be in a position that we do not have to refuse any family that meet the criteria our support.

“It is the many thank you letters we receive back from families that reinforce for us the need that’s out there, the impact that our support has and the drive for us to continue on our journey,” said Phil.

The Castletroy and District Lions Club is a volunteer organisation that organises fundraising events with every penny raised going directly to good causes in local communities All members of Lion Clubs International are committed to serving local communities.

www.clionasfoundation.ie

www.castletroydistrictlionsclub.wordpress.com

Phil Deegan spokesperson of Cliona’s Foundation and Ken Mc Cauley member of Castletroy and District Lions Club Photo by Jen Fuentes

Castletroy and District Lions Club hold Table Quiz in Aid of Cliona’s Foundation

Castletroy and District Lions Club are holding a table quiz in aid of Cliona’s Foundation at the Castletroy Park Hotel at 8.30pm on Friday April 21.

“We were delighted to get the call that the Castletroy Lions Club had selected Cliona’s Foundation as beneficiary of their Annual quiz.

Tables of 4 are €40 and there will also be a raffle.

www.clionasfoundation.ie

www.castletroydistrictlionsclub.wordpress.com

Edel O’Brien, Reflecting Strings and Irina Dernova to perform at St Michael’s Perry Square

An Evening of Popular Classics, a concert featuring mezzo soprano Edel O’Brien, trio Reflecting Strings and organist Irina Dernova in aid of St. Michael’s Organ Fund and Down Syndrome Limerick will take place at St Michael’s Church, Pery Square on March 31.

Edel O’Brien

“I have only had the pleasure of singing in St. Michael’s Church once before. It is a beautiful venue to perform in. The acoustics are excellent,” said Edel.

Originally from Kilrush, County Clare, Edel began voice training with Jean Holmes at the Limerick School of Music. Then having obtained a Bachelor and Master of Arts in music from National University of Ireland (NUI) Maynooth, she studied at Trinity College of Music, London, followed by two years at the Centre de Formation Lyrique, Opera Bastille, Paris. Edel has performed as a soloist in Opera de Paris, Opera de Rouen, Opera Ireland, the Anna Livia International Opera Festival, and as a guest soloist with many choral societies throughout the UK, Ireland and France.

“It was really Moya who made the final choice of programme. She asked me to find pieces I like to sing and then chooses those that work best when arranged for cello, violin and harp. The programme will include works by Mozart, Gluck, Bizet and Rossini,” added Edel.

Moya O’Grady on cello, her son David O’Doherty on violin and daughter Geraldine O’Doherty are Reflecting Strings, a Dublin based chamber group that has recorded five critically acclaimed CDs and toured extensively internationally, one special highlight was a celebrated performance in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.

Moya was co-principal cellist of the RTE Symphony Orchestra. David studied at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Conservatory of Music, made his American debut live on Boston Radio and in July 2000, and received his “Premier Prix de Virtuosité” from the Conservatoire of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Geraldine has been Principal Harpist with the RTE Concert Orchestra since 2006, and is a teacher at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin. She studied at the Guildhall School of Music, London and at the Hochschule fur Musik in Zurich. She has toured internationally and performed with many groups and has an extensive list of recordings for various artists such as Paul Byrom, The Priests, Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder and she also features on the soundtrack to the Oscar nominated film, Albert Nobbs.

Irina Dernova

Irina Dernova who is musical director at St. Michael’s Church, and is also a piano teacher at Mid-West Vocal Academy, Lisnagry, and is well known as an accompanist and teacher throughout limerick and Clare, will begin the evening by playing Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke on the organ.

“I wish to say a big thank you to Edel and Reflective Strings for offering this concert.

The organ in St Michael’s is one of the oldest in Limerick, about 150 years old. It needs funding, a big job was recently done on it, and more work is needed on it,” said Irina.

Tickets are €15 and are available to buy on the door before the concert at 8pm

CD’s by Edel O’Brien and Reflecting strings will also be available to purchase on the evening.

Clare’s Wishing Well

Clare’s Wishing Well, a charity shop supporting Clare’s Wish Foundation, will have an opening celebration at 5pm, January 27, in the Groody Neighbourhood Centre, Groody roundabout, Castletroy.

“I hope the shop can raise funds for Clare’s Wish so we can grant more wishes in 2017,” said founder of Clare’s Wish, Kevin Clancy.

Named after Kevin’s sister, who was born with Spina Bifida and died at twenty four years of age, more than 30 wishes have been granted since Kevin launched Clare’s Wish in 2013. The Limerick based charity relies solely on fundraising events, the new retail unit, and is the only Irish charity granting wishes to adults living with terminal and life-threatening illnesses.

“The charity aims to bring the wish to life, to create ever-lasting memories for the wisher, their family and their friends. Providing respite from the normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatments,” said Kevin.

Some of the wishes granted in 2016 were a Disney Paris trip for the Murray Family, a two day stay at the Castletroy Park Hotel for the Donovan family, a special shopping trip at the Dundrum Centre for the Doyle family, a Killarney trip for the Ryan Family, and a Christmas experience for the Spencer family at Foto resort.

If people would like to nominate someone they know for Clare’s Wish they can send an e-mail or fill out the application form on the website, where the charity prioritise emergency requests.

“We are all excited with this new venture. The retail unit is the very first Charity shop in the Castletroy area, selling donated furniture, clothing, books, with a view to raising much needed funds for Clare’s Wish Foundation. We will have tea, coffee, wine, light food and Emma Langford will be playing for us,” said Kevin.

Christmas break for the Donovan Family at the Castletroy Park Hotel

Wish for Deirdre signed CD from Andre Rieu

Nevin Maguire and Kevin Clancy at a fundraising event in the Radisson Limerick

Nevin Maguire and Kevin Clancy at a fundraising event in the Radisson Blu Limerick

For more information, contact: 061633301

Kevin Clancy, Founder

Clare’s Wish Foundation (CHY 21072)

clareswishfoundation.com

clareswishfoundation@gmail.com

Shauna Lindsay and Maeve Madden BFF Event

Clare’s Wish Foundation ambassador and model Shauna Lindsay, along with her friend, fitness model and blogger Maeve Madden are hosting a Beauty, Fitness and Fashion (BFF) event in the Bunratty Castle Hotel, January 8.

Mark Rogers from Benefit Ireland will be teaching how to achieve perfect eyebrows, and celebrity make-up artist Fiona Murphy (who was trained by Kim Kardashian’s make-up artist), will be demonstrating her top beauty secrets.

Maeve will talk about her personal fitness training and nutrition, and Shauna who was voted VIP magazines most Stylish Girl, will be sharing her top street style tips.

There will also be a fashion show, goodie bags, afternoon tea, tutorials, questions and answer sessions, and more than a 100 spot prizes to be won.

Open from 12pm-5pm, attendees will receive Champagne upon arrival, and €5.00 per ticket sold will be donated to Clare’s Wish Foundation.

Named after founder of Clare’s Wish, Kevin Clancy’s sister, who was born with Spina Bifida and died at twenty four years of age, Clare’s Wish Foundation is a Limerick based charity that was established in 2013, and is the only Irish charity that is dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses.

Tickets are €75.00 to book tickets on Eventbrite click here

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shauna-maeve-bff-beauty-fitness-fashion-tickets-30013591460?aff=eiosprexshreclip&ref=eiosprexshreclip

To learn more about Clare’s Wish Foundation click here www.clareswishfoundation.com

Castletroy and District Lions Club host Christmas lunch for the Mature and Alone

The Castletroy and District Lions Club hosted a well attended, successful lunch for the Mature and Alone at the Castletroy Park Hotel on Sunday December 4.

In the beautifully decorated ballroom where bauble laden Christmas trees, crackers and party hats added to the festive atmosphere, the friendly waiters and waitresses wearing Santa hats, served a large number of guests, a delicious three course lunch.

Having dined by candlight, there was much singing along to well known tunes, dancing and laughter as the guests were entertained by a talented local volunteer band, who get together for such occasions.

Jingle Bells for Joseph

Jingle Bells for Joseph, is a fundraising concert for Joseph Monaghan a little boy from Castletroy, who recently underwent pioneering surgery in Leeds for his Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy, in order to relieve the severe pain he endures 24/7 and to help him walk.

The concert which will take place at Milford Church, Castletroy, December 2, is to raise funds for Joseph’s rehabilitation, which will cost approximately €30,000.

“Joseph is the son of one of my neighbours, and I have known of his condition for some time, and the extraordinary journey he and his parents, Geraldine and Joe are on. We had spoken in the choir about doing a big local fundraiser and Councillor Marian Hurley and her friend Mary Glynn came to me with the idea that Joseph was the ideal candidate.

“Joseph requires intense, long term rehabilitation to ensure this surgery is a long term success for him, so we are trying to do what we can to help the Monaghan family with that cost,” said organiser of the event and proprietor of the Mid-West Vocal Academy and Music School, Owen Gilhooly.

Owen, an internationally renowned vocalist who is well known to Limerick audiences, is currently pursing doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he teaches, established the Mid-West Vocal Academy and Music School in 2011.

The concert of popular and seasonal favourites will feature Owen’s choir Aoide, a mixed voice community choir with 70 members, as well as singers Martha O’ Brien, Conor Gibbons, David Howes, Kelli-Ann Masterson, pianists Conor McCarthy, Irina Dernova and harpist Janet Harbison.

“The concert will feature Limerick born singers returning home to give of their time and talent for this special cause. There will also be some special guests popping in to say hello, and special prizes on the night thanks to some wonderful donations from very generous locals.

“Everything seems to be going well. The choir are frantically preparing some new and exciting repertoire and tickets are moving fast. We are delighted too that University Concert Hall are handling the ticketing for us and our posters are being shared all over social media and in the press,” added Owen.

Tickets are €20, (Family Ticket €40 2 Adults 2 Children) and are available from University Concert Hall Box Office on 061- 331549

Killaloe Wedding Fair in aid of Clare’s Wish Foundation

Clare’s Wish Foundation Wedding Fair, in the Killaloe Hotel and Spa, on November 6, is the ideal event for couples who are looking for ideas or help with organising their wedding.

Open from 1pm-5pm, attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine on entry, and meet representatives from a number of well known wedding suppliers and businesses from Bridal wear to musicians.

The Sweet Treat Cakes, Kitture weddings, Coleman Photography, MM Cookies, O’Hara Video’s, Moss & Mushroom Flowers, Forever Living, South Bound wedding Band, Ebber Wedding Band, and singer Lorraine Galvin are just some of the suppliers that will be there on the day.

“If you are either engaged or planning to marry in the future, then this is a must see event. You will get fantastic advice from all suppliers on the day. This is the foundation’s longest-running and most impactful fundraiser of the year, we receive a €5 donation, on entry. We hope to raise as much funds as possible so we can grant more wishes that are on hold,” said founder of Clare’s Wish, Kevin Clancy.

Named after Kevin’s sister, who was born with Spina Bifida and died at twenty four years of age, Clare’s Wish Foundation is a Limerick based charity that was established in 2013, and is the only Irish charity that is dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses.

“My dad passed in 2011. That changed my outlook on life, I wanted to give back, and I started to do some volunteer work for two charities in Limerick, which lead on to setting up Clare’s Wish, also in memory of my own sister,” explained Kevin.

If people would like to nominate someone they know for Clare’s Wish they can send an e-mail or fill out the application form on the website, where the charity prioritise emergency requests.

“Wish Requests are usually wish’s to go somewhere on a break or to meet a celebrity or idol. Our last two wishes were pretty special. A wish to go to Killarney for a Family turned out to be their first picture together as a family in 25 years and also their last picture, as Annette passed away just a few weeks later.

“We also just granted a, ‘wish to put a smile back on my kid’s faces’, so we sent a family to Tayto Park for a family day of fun and a stay in the amazing Pillo Hotel for the family.

“We need Volunteers in all counties to spread the awareness of the charity. We also have a Text Clare to 50300 campaign for any one who would like to donate €4,” added Kevin.

061-633301

clareswishfoundation@gmail.com www.clareswishfoundation.com

Twitter: @clareswish

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clareswishfoundation

Chef Neven Maguire and Clare’s Wish Foundation

For cooking enthusiasts and foodies, Thursday October 6, is a date to put in your diary, if you would like to see award winning, Celebrity Chef Neven Maguire in person, in the Radisson Blue Hotel & Spa Limerick.

Organised by the Clare’s Wish Foundation as a fundraising event for the Limerick based charity, it promises to be an exciting event with tickets selling out fast.

“We hope to raise as much funds as possible so we can grant more wishes that are on hold,” said founder of Clare’s Wish, Kevin Clancy.

Named after Kevin’s sister, who was born with Spina Bifida and died at twenty four years of age, Clare’s Wish Foundation was established in 2013, and is the only Irish charity that is dedicated to providing wishes exclusively to adults with terminal illnesses.

“My dad passed in 2011. That changed my outlook on life, I wanted to give back, and I started to do some Volunteer work for two charities in Limerick, which lead on to setting up Clare’s Wish, also in memory of my own sister,” explained Kevin.

If people would like to nominate someone they know for Clare’s Wish they can send an e-mail or fill out the application form on the website, where the charity prioritise emergency requests.

“We are the only Irish charity granting wishes for adults with a Terminal Medical Condition. We try and do some event at least once a month. We have Adare to Survive September 25, National Dance- a-Thon in October, and a Wedding Fair in Killaloe November 6.

“We need Volunteers in all Counties of Ireland. We also have a Text Clare to 50300 campaign for any one who would like to donate €4,” added Kevin.

Doors open at 6.30pm where you can browse the artisan food stands that will be on display, and Neven will commence his cookery demonstration on stage at 8pm.

Tickets are €20, and are available at the Radisson Blue Hotel & Spa reception or online at www.eventmaster.ie

061-633301

clareswishfoundation@gmail.com www.clareswishfoundation.com

Twitter: @clareswish

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clareswishfoundation

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