In
May 1971 twenty four young men gathered for a meeting in the Leinster Arms
Hotel at the corner of Leinster Street and Emily Square. They were there at the request of local
pharmacist Des McHugh who in conjunction with his Kilkenny based brother-in-law
Paddy Reynolds wanted to explore the possibility of establishing a Lions Club
in Athy. Lions Club International was
founded in 1917 and is recognised today as the global leader in community and
humanitarian service. Its mission statement
is ‘to empower volunteers to serve their
communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international
understanding through Lions Clubs.’
During
the meeting which was sponsored by the Kilkenny City Lions Club it was decided
to form a Lions Club in Athy. The names
of the founding members of the club, now known as charter members, were Tully
Curry, Des Perry, Michael Prendergast, John King, Jim Loughrin, Des McHugh, Ken
Turner, Michael Dwyer, Dick Barrett, Kieran O’Grady, Michael Walsh, Ger
Moriarty, John Perry, Gerry Carbery, Richard Norris, Liam Porter, Michael
Cunningham, Gerry Cleary, Johnny Watchorn, Michael Wall, Barry Donnelly, Trevor
Shaw, William Cade and Liam Owens.
It
was then an all male organisation, unlike today when women play a prominent
role in the running of the club. Forty
three years after its foundation Athy Lions Club through its members is still
heavily committed to fundraising for local charities, as well as being involved
in many community enhancing projects.
Within the present Lions Club membership there are four members who were
involved in the initial meeting held in the Leinster Arms hotel 43 years
ago. They attend the monthly Lions Club
meetings, as well as involving themselves in the club’s fundraising activities
which in recent months included a cycle rally, a charity auction and the annual
Christmas Food Appeal. Their commitment
and dedication over the 43 years of the club’s existence was marked last week with
the presentation of Melvin Jones Awards to Gerry Cleary, Michael Dwyer, Ken
Turner and Trevor Shaw.
The
Melvin Jones Award is the highest award that can be granted by a Lions Club and
in the case of Athy Lions Club this is only the second occasion that such
awards were made. Previously the late
Johnny Watchorn was the recipient of the Award for his work over many years on
the governing body of the National Lions Club organisation. The award to the four local Lions Club
members was a unique event marked by the presence of the Lions District
Governor who travelled from Cork to present each of the recipients with a
Melvin Jones plaque.
The members of Athy Lions Club have made a
huge contribution to the local community during the 43 years of the Club’s
existence. Perhaps the most visible reminder
of the Club’s work is the sheltered housing scheme in the grounds of St.
Vincent’s Hospital. That was a project
headed up by Athy Lions Club, funded in part by government grants and funds
raised locally by the Lions Club members.
Another major project was the purchase in conjunction with St. Michael’s
Parish of Dreamland Ballroom on the Kilkenny Road which is now used for
sporting and other community based activities.
If
you are interested in the work of the Lions Club and would like to be involved
as a Lions Club member in raising funds for local charities I would welcome
hearing from you.
Ken
Sale from Graysland and originally from London passed away a few days ago at 80
years of age. Ken came to Athy with his
wife, the former Maisie Day from Dooley’s Terrace, Athy and his two daughters
in 1981. I returned to Athy the
following year. I first met Ken when he
volunteered to help the newly established Museum Society to get ready its first
premises in the vacant classrooms in Mount St. Marys. That was in 1983/’84 and I recall with
gratitude the outstanding help Ken gave during the weeks involved in setting up
that first local Museum. At the funeral Mass
on Sunday his daughter Katie gave an eloquent touching eulogy which surpassed
anything I had previously heard on such occasions in our Parish Church. It was a wonderful tribute to a man whose
path first crossed mine 30 years ago.
Coming
to the end of 2014 I want to thank the people who have contacted me during this
year offering information and help with the stories which have appeared in this
column. I am always delighted to hear
from you.
Happy
Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year to all the readers of Eye on
the Past.
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