September 2012
Free diabetes screening at National Ploughing Championships New Ross September 25th – 27th – Stand R585
June 2012
Carrickmacross Lions Club recently donated €5,500 to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, to help a local family reach their target of collecting €15,000 – the cost of training an assistance dog for their son.
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) was founded in April 2010 as a primary service to train and provide assistance dogs to children with autism. They are a non-government funded charity that relies exclusively on donations and fundraising to continue their very vital service. Each dog costs in the region of €15,000 to train and are placed free of charge with the families. Read more about AADI at:- http://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie
May 2012
The inaugural Carrickmacross Lions Club North East Cycle Challenge took place on Sunday 6th May and attracted 300 cyclists from throughout the country. The event earned huge praise from the participating cyclists for the professional way it was organised and for the two routes selected.
Two hundred and sixteen experienced cyclists set off at 9.30am on the 100km Drumlin Challenge which passed through Shercock, Cootehill, Newbliss, Ballybay, Lough Egish and Castleblaney before returning to Carrickmacross. Mayor of Carrickmacross Noel Keelan had the honour of being the official starter before he himself got on his bike and rode the Oriel Route.
Eighty four cyclists signed up for the 30km Oriel Route which started at 10am and took them on a flat quiet route to the picturesque village of Tallanstown. Refreshments for the participants were kindly provided by the Tallanstown Tidy Towns Committee before the cyclists embarked on the return journey to Carrickmacross.
Carrickmacross Alzheimer’s Society representative Mrs. Alice Deery was the official Oriel Route starter. All proceeds from The North East Cycle Challenge will go towards the provision of a weekly bus service for Alzheimer’s patients taking them to the Drumkill Daycare Centre in Threemilehouse.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club members and volunteers provided refreshments and showers for the returning cyclists in The Phoenix Sports Centre. Some weary participants availed of a complimentary massage whilst others tucked into soup, sandwiches, savoury pies, brack and scones donated by local businesses.
Everyone who raised over €100 in sponsorship for the event were entered into a draw for a BOSE Wave Music System worth €696. Anthony and Breege Brennan from Kilnamaddy, Monaghan were the winners of this fantastic prize, which was kindly donated by locally based company BOSE Ireland Ltd.
Carrickmacross Lions Club President Andrew Spare was overwhelmed by the level of support and generosity that the first North East Cycle Challenge generated. He felt that ”the success of the event and the positive reaction from the cyclists means that The North East Cycle Challenge will become a permanent fixture in the cyclists’ diaries in the future”. He expressed thanks to Michael Clarke of Carrick Cycle Centre and to members of the Carrickmacross Cycling Club for their input into the organisation of the event. Special thanks went to Cycle Coach Valerie Campion who acted as Head Safety Steward and whose invaluable experience guided the event organisers throughout. The Carrickmacross Lions Club would also like to thank all local businesses who contributed to the running of the event, to the volunteers who helped out on the day but most of all to the 300 participating cyclists who completed both the Oriel and Drumlin Routes and whose efforts helped generate funds for Alzheimer’s Support. View photos in Gallery
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April 2012
The North East Cycle Challenge is launched with a Diplomatic Seal of Approval
The Australian Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Bruce Davis was in Carrickmacross on Friday morning April 20th at the invitation of The Carrickmacross Lions Club to launch the countdown to The North East Cycle Challenge which will take place on Sunday 6th May 2012.
The two route event in aid of Alzheimer’s support is set to attract cyclists from throughout the country of all abilities. Leisure and beginner cyclists will be attracted by the flat 30km Oriel Route whilst the more experienced cyclists will relish the challenge posed by the 100km Drumlin Challenge through the rolling countryside of counties Cavan and Monaghan.
Ambassador Davis was warmly welcomed by Lions Club President Andrew Spare and by Carrickmacross Town Mayor Noel Keelan. He became the first Ambassador to be a guest of honour at the newly built Carrickmacross Civic Offices.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club which has been in existence for four years and whose Twins Parade in 2010 set the Irish record for the greatest number of twins gathered in the same place at the same time are no strangers to hosting large fund raising events.
The Ambassador expressed his delight to be able to support The Lions Club in their fundraising efforts especially as the Drumlin Route will pass close by his ancestral home in Co. Cavan. His Great Grandfather John was employed on the Clements Estate in Drung near Cootehill prior to his emigration to Australia in 1857. The Ambassador’s party which included his wife Meg Johnson, his brother Leonard and his sister Barbara took the opportunity to pay a visit in the afternoon to Drung to see where John Davis lived and worked prior to his departure with his cousin Robin Brown to Australia aboard a ship called “The Red Jacket” in 1857. Indeed Ambassador Davis remarked in a civic reception in the afternoon hosted by Cootehill Town Council that up until two years ago the Brown and Davis families remained next door neighbours in Queensland where they settled.
Ambassador Davis and his family also took the opportunity to view the world famous Carrickmacross Lace Gallery after a lunch hosted by The Carrickmacross Town Council.
Cyclists can pre-register online for The North East Cycle Challenge. Participants can also register on the day of the event, Sunday 6th May, at The Phoenix Centre, Carrickmacross between 8am and 9.30am. The 100km Drumlin Route will start at 9.30am and the 30km Oriel Route will set off at 10am.
Cyclists can further help The Lions Club by downloading an optional sponsorship card Participants who raise over €100 in sponsorship will be entered into a draw for a fantastic BOSE Wave Music System worth €696.
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March 2012
The Carrickmacross Lions Club North East Cycle Challenge in aid of Alzheimer’s Support which will take place on Sunday 6th May 2012 received a massive boost this week with the news that The Australian Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Bruce Davis has accepted an invitation from The Lions Club to formally launch the event on Friday 20th April in Carrickmacross.
Born and reared in Queensland, Mr. Davis spent 10 years as the Director-General of AusAID, the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia’s overseas aid programme in order to help people in developing nations overcome poverty.
He has received three Australian awards: the Centenary Medal in January 2001 for outstanding service to international relations and development; the Public Service Medal in June 2004 for outstanding service as Director-General of AusAID, and the Member of the Order of Australia in June 2009 for service to international relations through leadership of AusAID and the development and reform of Australia’s overseas aid programmes.
Carrickmacross Lions Club President Andrew Spare expressed his delight at the Ambassador’s acceptance of The Lions Club invitation, “Mr. Davis has a proven record of helping others throughout his career. We all have friends and relations living in Australia now and our country’s ties with Down Under will only become stronger with time. We are honoured that Mr. Davis has decided to promote our charity cycle. He is particularly interested in the 100km Drumlin Route that passes close to his ancestral home in Drung, Co. Cavan.”
Cyclists will have a choice of two routes. The 30km Oriel Route featuring the picturesque village of Tallanstown will appeal to leisure and beginner cyclists. The Tallanstown Tidy Towns Committee has extended an invitation to all Oriel Challenge cyclists to join them for refreshments when they arrive in the village on Sunday May 6th.
Carrickmacross Lions Club President Andrew Spare welcomed the kind invitation from the Tallanstown Tidy Town members, “It is obvious from its appearance that the village of Tallanstown has a fantastic community spirit which culminated with them being crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2010. Our cyclists will surely appreciate their hospitality at the halfway point of the Oriel Route. It is a fantastic gesture from the people of Tallanstown and it is a great opportunity for visiting cyclists to see what can be achieved by ordinary people coming together and working as a team.”
More accomplished cyclists will relish the Drumlin Challenge which will extend for 100km over the rolling terrain of counties Cavan and Monaghan, passing through Shercock, Cootehill, Newbliss, Ballybay, Lough Egish, Castleblaney and back to Carrickmacross where showers and refreshments will await.
All people interested in participating in this charity event can pre- register online where there is also further information on the event including maps of the 2 routes
Cyclists also have the option of completing a Sponsorship Card which will help further support the Lions Club in their provision of the weekly bus service for Alzheimer patients. Registration Forms and Sponsorship Cards can be downloaded from the website and are also available at the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross and from Carrick Cycle Centre.
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Carrickmacross Rovers U15 Footballers Lions Cup run came to an end under lights in Armagh on Tuesday March 13th when they came up against a highly fancied Armagh City side in their second round clash.
Carrick Rovers started well and matched their opponents up to half time with the score deadlocked at 0-0 at the interval.
Armagh CIty showed greater craft in the second half and created numerous chances in front of the Carrick goal. Conor Grimley, Zac Crooks and Ryan Higgins scored for City despite the best efforts of a courageous Rovers team.
The game was played in a sporting manner throughout and both sides enjoyed refreshments after the match in the Holm Park Clubhouse provided by our hosts The Armagh Lions Club.
Lions Paddy Gollogly, Cathal O’Gorman, Fintan McTiernan, Shane McGuire and cub Dion O’Gorman travelled to Armagh to support the Rovers.
Armagh progress to the next round of the competition where they will entertain Roscommon Town in the quarter finals. View photo’s in Gallery
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February 2012
Monaghan & Carrickmacross Lions Clubs members recently visited the Drumkill Day Care Centre to meet with the Co-ordinator of Services Mae Murphy and her dedicated team of Nurse Manager, 7 carers and volunteers to view the various facilities and services provided for Alzheimers patients.
Since September 1998, the Centre has been providing care specifically designed to meet the needs of people with Alzheimers and other dementia related diseases, in a warm and safe environment and to provide activity and stimulation as well as personal care. The services provided include chiropody, hairdressing, laundry, arts & crafts, pastoral care, gentle exercise, personal care including showers, outdoor activities and the provision of meals prepared and cooked on the premises. Between 25 and 30 Alzheimer patients attend the Centre on a Wednesday & Friday.
The Monaghan Lions Club has been involved with the Centre for a number of years and provides ongoing services and funding of €15,000 per annum. The Monaghan Branch of the Alzheimers Society Support Group initially provided transport to bring Alzheimers patients from the greater Carrickmacross area to the Day Care Centre every Friday, but due to an increase in demand, transport is now provided every Wednesday as well. This extra service is funded by the Carrickmacross Lions Club at a cost of €8,500 per annum.
On the first Tuesday of the month, the Monaghan Branch of the Alzheimers Society Support Group host an Alzheimers Café at the centre, where carers and patients are assessed and appropriate services put in place to suit their needs.
Referrals for the service can be made through a General Practitioner, Public Health Nurse, Voluntary Organisation, family carer or by contacting either Nurse Manager Eileen Sheridan, Co-ordinator of Services Mae Murphy on 047 57508 or any branch member. View photo’s in Gallery
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Carrickmacross Lions Club recently sponsored a 2 day ASIST training workshop aimed at equipping people with the skills required for an effective suicide intervention role. The emphasis of the workshop was on suicide first aid – helping a person at imminent risk stay safe and seek further help. The workshop was held in the Shirley Arms Hotel and attended by 22 people, all from the local community.
The purpose of the ASIST programme is to enhance caregivers comfort, confidence and competence in helping a person at imminent risk of suicide.
ASIST was developed in Canada by LivingWorks Education Inc. in the 1970’s and has been used in many countries worldwide. It has been widely evaluated with positive results and has been incorporated into national suicide prevention strategies.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is the body with responsibility for coordinating ASIST in Ireland in partnership with the HSE.
The trainers at the ASIST workshop were Garreth Phelan (Suicide Resource Officer HSE Dublin North East), David Mc Sweeney (Health Promotion Department HSE Dublin North East) and Ned Rispin (Bri Independent Brain Injury Support and Advocacy). View photos in Gallery
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Carrickmacross Lions Club recently presented a €500 cheque to Michael McMahon for Carrickmacross CPR. The donation will go towards funding for the replacement of pads and batteries in the Defibrillator units located in Carrickmacross and also for the units used in training.
January 2012
28th Jan Andrew Spare, President Carrickmacross Lions Club and Cathal O’Gorman, presented €1,000 cheques to Macartan Murphy representing Carrickmacross St. Vincent de Paul and to Shane O’Hanlon representing Carrickmacross Steadfast House. The donations have been made annually since the inception of the Club in 2008. View photo’s in Gallery
26th Jan Promotion of the North East Cycle Challenge was launched in the Carrick Cycle Centre Carrickmacross and was featured on LM FM’s Daire Nelson Show. Mayor of Carrickmacross Town Council, Councillor Noel Keelan along with Paddy Gollogly, Vice President Carrickmacross Lions Club, Carrick Cycling Centre proprietor Michael Clarke, Valerie Campion of the Garda Cycling Club and 3 Leaving Cert. students, Shane Smith, Brian Campion and Con McDuffy were interviewed by LM FM’s roving reporter Pat O’Shaughnessey. Members of the Carrickmacross Lions Club and Carrickmacross Cycling Club were also on hand to give support. View photo’s in Gallery
The North East Cycle Challenge will take place on Sunday 6th May 2012. The event will cater for all cyclists, with the 100km Drumlin Route extending through parts of Cavan and mid Monaghan and the 30km Oriel Route which will have the picturesque village of Tallanstown as its destination. For more information click here
7th Jan Lions Clubs of Ireland Under 15 Soccer Competition. Carrick Rovers, sponsored by Carrickmacross Lions Club played Trinity Donaghmede, sponsored by Howth Sutton Lions Club in the first round of the Lions Clubs of Ireland Soccer Competition. The match was played at Oriel Park, Dundalk which added to the sense of the occasion. It was an exciting match to watch throughout, with both teams playing their hearts out. Full time score was 1 : 1 and after extra time it was 2 : 2. Carrick Rovers finally won through in the penalty shootout with a 4 : 3 result. After match refreshments were organised in McGeoughs, Dundalk for both teams & mentors. Carrick Rovers will play the winner of the match between Armagh City & Castledawson in the 2nd round. View photo’s in Gallery