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Volume 19 No. 3. Autumn, 2016.
Follow us on:
NCBI NewsIncorporating The Blind Citizen (1923)
In this Issue:
Team NCBI in the VHi Women’s Mini Marathon.
It’s Liberté, Egalité for our May!
New Bill to provide more reading material for blind and VIP readers.
Minister opens NCBI Retail Shop in CLondalkin.
NCBI Service user May O’Brien, from Donnybrook, Dublin, worked in Liberty Hall, for 45 years, becoming the union’s Women’s Equality Officer — see her story, pages 14-15.
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Publisher: NCBINCBI NEWS (Incorporating The Blind Citizen 1923) is published four times a year by: NCBI,Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Tel: 01 830 7033 Fax: 01 8307 787email: [email protected] website: www.ncbi.ieEditor: Frank Callery, Mobile: 087 6724097 email: [email protected] by: PB Print SolutionsTel: 353 86 2511640.
NCBI is a registered Charity,registered in Ireland No. 26293 Charity No. CHY 4626
IN THIS ISSUE:Page 5:Fundraisers for Solas Centre.
Pages 6-7:First Braille 1916 Proclamation presented to Minister for Justice!
Pages 8-9:Seen - Unseen — A Touchy-Feely art experience.
Pages 10-11:NCBI Mid West’s programme of events, Summer 2016.
Pages 12-13:The Marrakesh Treaty will end book famine for blind and vision impaired people.
Page 14-15:It’s Liberté, Egalité for May O’Brien of Liberty Hall. Pages 16-17:NCBI Dun Laoghaire service users painting with laughter.
Pages 18-24:NCBI Fundraising activities.
Sight Lines
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The NCBI’s Unqualified Position
SIGHTLINES
In light of the recent negative media coverage surrounding the charity sector, I would like to take this opportunity to reassure our service users, supporters and friends that we, as an organisation, are fully committed to pursuing good governance and to being an open and transparent charity, demonstrating best practice in everything we do.
We pride ourselves in being well regulated, having an engaged and active Board and having robust and appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that we remain a good example of best practice.
In practice, that means that NCBI is fully committed and actively applying all the measures that charities should adopt. The measures we have undertaken to comply with good governance include:• Applying the Code of Governance for the Voluntary Sector; • Applying the Principles of Good Fundraising; • Our accounts are consistent with the Charity Statement of Recommended Practice
(SORP).This approach is known as the triple lock and is absolute good practice for charities.
Information on all current Board members is available on our website, including the date of their appointment to the Board and a short biography. We also publish our financial accounts annually and make the report available on our website.
Two board committees in the areas of finance and nominations and governance ensure oversight and expertise to be deployed in these areas.
Our Board prioritises good governance and transparency and will continue to strive to ensure that NCBI retains its reputation for strong governance.
I hope the information attached is useful, enlightening and reassuring. If you have any worries or concerns about the Governance of NCBI please don’t hesitate to bring it to our attention.— Chris White, CEO of NCBI.
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Please fill in the form overleaf and return as directed.
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Funds for NCBI’s Solas Early Learning Centre
NCBI News
At the Solas Early Learning Centre Coffee Morning. A Special thanks to everyone who attended the Coffee Morning in aid of NCBI’s Solas Early Learning Centre on Wednesday 22nd June. Almost €200 was raised to help support the Centre which cares for children from birth to 6 years of age with various types of vision impairment.
Congratulations to Kim Hankey and Craig Nangle for making it through Hell and Back in Kilruddery Estate, Co Wicklow on Saturday, 25th June in aid of our Early Learning Centre. Kim and Craig raised a fantastic €600 for the Centre, which their son Mason attends. In their words “It’s Mason’s favourite place where he is constantly learning and developing”.
Hell and Back for Solas Early Learning Centre
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Another First from NCBI
First Braille 1916 Proclamation presented to Minister for Justice at Clondalkin OpeningThe Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald T.D. was presented with the first ever copy of the 1916 Proclamation translated into Braille by the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI). The Tánaiste was presented with the Proclamation – the only one of its kind ever to be produced — to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising, as she officially opened the NCBI’s newest retail shop in Clondalkin, which is in her constituency and which she has supported.
Speaking at the opening, the Tánaiste said “I want to commend the fantastic work of the NCBI in supporting those who are blind or visually impaired here in Clondalkin and throughout the country. The NCBI provide a worthwhile and vital community-based service to people of all age groups, offering support to people to help them adapt to their sight-loss and most importantly maintain their independence.
“I previously visited the Solas Early Learning Centre here in Clondalkin, which provides a specialised education service to children with sight loss up to the age of six. The programmes provided by NCBI at the centre facilitate each child’s individual needs, focusing on daily living, learning and play, all designed to
encourage independence. I was certainly impressed by the range of activities, supports and equipment available to students at the Solas Centre.
“From speaking to family members and those making use of the services provided by the NCBI, I recognise the value of the supports they offer. I know how important the funds raised here in the shop are to the continued provision and sustainability of services both locally in Clondalkin and nationally. I am delighted to see the shop open its doors in Clondalkin village, directly across from my constituency office, and wish them the very best of luck in the future.”
Chris White, CEO of NCBI,
noted that these retail shops are key to helping NCBI maintain the provision of their services nationwide.
He said: “NCBI are delighted that Minister Fitzgerald is able to open our new NCBI shop in Clondalkin. Each and every NCBI shop supports the 224,000 people in Ireland who live their lives with sight loss. Today we are also presenting the Minister with a Braille copy of the 1916 Proclamation. This centenary document, the cornerstone of our State, reminds us to “cherish all of the children of the nation equally”, and we hope that the Government will continue to work with the NCBI to ensure that equal society that was aspired to in 1916”.
ABOVE: L-R: Chris White Ceo of NCBI, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., and Senator Martin Conway who is a Board member of NCBI.
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First Braille 1916 Proclamation presented to Minister for Justice at Clondalkin Opening
Chris White thanked the Tánaiste for taking time out to open the new shop and ongratulated all the NCBI staff involved in the opening of the shop, and the staff at the nearby NCBI Solas Early Learning Centre.
ABOVE: Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, with NCBi staff and personnel, cutting the ribbon with ‘bags of style’ to open the new NCBI Retail shop in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin.
RIGHT: Pictured in the new NCBI Retail shop in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin, are, L-R: Anna Dunne, (ELC Assistant), Diakikatou Bah (NCBI Retail), Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Margaret Bousquet, Early Learning Centre Manager, and Angelika Cernoded (NCBI Retail).
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The Haptic Experience of Art
Seen - Unseen — A Touchy-Feely Art Experience
Artist, Clare McLaughlin, Bandon, Co. Cork
Seen – Unseen is an art project by artist Clare McLaughlin. It deals with the non – visual exploration of art and allows the blind or vision impaired person to eperience artwork through touch.
Clare’s thesis, for her first class honours BA (Hons) in Visual Art, explored the haptic experience of art. Clare started to investigate the art landscape of a visually impaired person, in particular in the gallery space. In a predominately visual art world, Clare began investigating how people with a visual impairment could access art and what could be done to highlight and improve their access.
“I enlisted the help and cooperation of NCBI. They were very helpful and gave me access to a lot of research material on organizing an event for people with sight loss — sighted guiding, and some international websites and organizations with very helpful research material. Arts & Disability Ireland also were very helpful in sharing their research and putting the open call for participants in the gallery visits, on their website”.
Clare made contact with art galleries throughout Ireland and set about organizing a schedule of VIP Gallery visits with the help and cooperation of the gallery employees. An open invitation was then issued to all visually impaired people to attend the gallery visits.
The first Seen – Unseen visually impaired gallery visit was with a blind person from West Cork, in May 2014, to the West Cork Arts Centre ‘Bealtaine’ exhibition. This was a community art exhibition, with various exhibits including painting, sound, installation, found objects, printing, and text. Clare did the tour herself and she got permission from the gallery to touch some of the exhibits, this was a great help for the collaborator as it gave a greater sense of exploration for the participant.
Since then there have been 14 successful VIP gallery visits to galleries including The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, The Crawford Gallery in Cork, The Butler Gallery in Kilkenny, The Irish Museum of Modern Art IMMA, in Dublin, The Glucksman Gallery in Cork and more recently, The Douglas Hyde Gallery in Trinity College Dublin. The interest has grown considerably to the extent that two sessions are necessary for some of the gallery visits due to numbers. Clare praises the management and staff of the galleries where she has organized VIP visits, and looks forward to collaborating with them, and indeed other galleries, in the future.
The VIP gallery visits formed the research for Clare’s final year degree show on Sherkin Island. This was a performative, participatory installation that gave the participants the experience of exploring an art space in a non-visual way. This experience culminated in an enclosed video piece portraying the touching of art in the gallery space, which was filmed during the gallery visits, but which did not disclose the identity of the collaborators. A number of the VIP collaborators in Seen – Unseen made the journey to Clare’s degree show to visit the installation. Clare was really appreciative of their terrific support and their tremendous contribution to the art project and indeed the contribution of all of the collaborators, galleries and organizations.
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Seen - Unseen — A Touchy-Feely Art Experience
Participants in the haptic experience of art.
Brenda Behan, NCBI’s Community Resource Worker was involved with Clare and the National Art gallery sessions from the beginning and she encouraged and supported blind and partially sighted people to take part in this project.
“I think it is very important that blind and vision impaired people have the opportunity to explore the visual arts, if they wish. Equally important is the chance to explore their own creativity and the possibilities that may come from that.
The Sherkin Island art exhibits offered so much in terms of being accessible; in that they included materials that were accessible, tactile, sensory, interactive, thought provoking, memory stimulating, promoted conversation and questioning, and were inspiring. Eileen, a guide dog user and I were blown away by the experience.
Claire has done so much to encourage blind and visually people to consider Visual Art, to revisit an interest in Art, to get involved in Art and much more. She also challenges the views that many sighted people hold about people with sight loss.
Brenda Behan
“The comments from participants were very positive and included ‘Really interesting experience, made me ‘see’ things differently’; ‘What a lovely tactile experience very soothing — smooth, rough, soft, flat surfaces’. ‘…really interesting work, certainly makes the viewer think differently’; and ‘Thank you, it was good to slow down the visual and explore how little we respond in a tactile way’.”
Clare lives in Bandon, Co. Cork, with her two young adult children. If you are interested in participating in the gallery visits you can contact Clare by email [email protected] or by telephone on 086 3091653. n
Clare McLoughlin would like to thank Brenda, Aleksandra, Niamh and Stephanie (Cork) and all the NCBI resource workers for their help and collaboration in the project.
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The programme saw19 primary school students taking part in training workshops to further develop compensatory skills in a number of different areas including:Using assistive technology and low vision aids, public transport, basic kitchen skills, communication, social and organisational skills.
Each workshop took place over two days which helped to develop good peer relationships and facilitate a space for the children to share their experiences of sight loss, in school, among friends, and in the community, with the group.
Bus Éireann provided the groups with a bus and driver, this gave the children the opportunity to practise many skills required for independent travel, including self-advocacy, listening, communication, organisation, memory and orientation and mobility.
A group of five children aged between 10 and 13 years took part in a workshop to aid the transition to secondary school which included a group visit to each of their prospective secondary schools, interpreting timetables, using curriculum access solutions and self-advocacy.
The University of Limerick helped us to host a training session for secondary school students on techniques/apps to improve study skills. There was also a presentation on disability services for
students, the disability access route to education and an introduction to campus life.
Many thanks to all of the Mid West staff,
NCBI Mid West held its Summer training Workshops for primary school service users which helped develope a variety of independent living skills.
NCBI Mid West Workshops
NCBI Mid West’s programme of events Summer 2016.
ABOVE: Group of older children using distance aids to read information at the bus station. RIGHT: Ross, Jodie, Dineka, Ruben and Lee getting familiar with equipment in the school gym.
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Community Resource Workers Edel O’Connell and Anya Leonard; Conor Hartigan and Thomas O’Shaughnessy from the University of Limerick, and staff at Bus Eireann, Colbert Station. n
NCBI Mid West’s programme of events Summer 2016.
ABOVE: Group of children aged between six and 10 years, with Pat from Bus Eireann and NCBI staff L-R Anya Leonard, Caroline Lane and Colette Quinlavin.
Smiles from Annie Donnelly who took part in a workshop in the Mid West.
James Mc Laughlin practising his pouring skills.
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Ensuring “That All May Read!”
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NCBI has welcomed the announcement by Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) that Government approval had been given for the drafting of a General Scheme of Bill entitled “Copyright and Related Rights (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2016” on Thursday the 4th of August. A positive step Ms. Elaine Howley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NCBI, welcomed the Minister’s announcement, at NCBI’s National Library & Media Centre in Dublin and said that “people who are blind or have impaired vision will greet this Bill as a positive step towards the Government’s ultimate ratification of ‘The Marrakesh Treaty’, which Ireland signed up to in 2014, but has yet to ratify. “What the Minister has announced will make a world of difference to everybody who wants to read for leisure or for work, and particularly to students who have experienced a continuous scarcity of reading material for many years,” Elaine Howley said.
The Marrakesh treaty is an international Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) framed to end ‘the Famine’ of books and printed literature experienced by the world’s estimated 285 million people who are blind, visually impaired and print disabled.
Ireland was a significant advocate for the Treaty during its Presidency of the EU in 2013 and the government’s commitment has been recognised and applauded by other agencies representing people who are blind and vision impaired across Europe. Ms. Howley said she wished to pay tribute to Senator Martin Conway (FG) for the significant
The Government is to take steps to end the book famine experienced by upwards of 224,000 people in Ireland who are blind or have impaired vision.
role he played during the Irish Presidency of the EU and since then, “in emphasising the need for Ireland and all member states to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty.”
When this Bill become law, Braille and digital copies of books and articles that were difficult to access heretofore, will be made more available to people who are blind or vision impaired, due to the NCBI library having easier access to files directly from the publishers.
Elaine Howley said she welcomed the minister’s indication that NCBI would be regarded as a ‘designated Body’ for whom the obtaining of copyright approval and access to print files will be made easier. She explained that when the Marrakesh Treaty is ratified inter-library sharing of material across national boundaries will enable us to obtain and distribute digital copies of books and articles more widely.
The Marrakesh Treaty will End Book Famine for Blind and Vision Impaired People
NCBI Library and Media Centre Manager Lina Kouzi (Left) and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor yesterday at the announcement yesterday at NCBI’s Library and Media Centre in Finglas.
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The Marrakesh Treaty will End Book Famine for Blind and Vision Impaired People
ABOVE, L-R, seated: Senator Martin Conway, Paul Ledwidge, Chairman, NCBI, and Mary Mitchell O’Connor, T.D., Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Standin, L-R: Ilka Staglin, Braille Production Manager, Child Vision, Lina Kozi, NCBI’s Library and Media Centre Manager, Des Kenny, NCBI Group Board member, Dr. Donal Fitzpatrick, NCBI Group Board member, Ruari McGinley, Director of Corporate Services, NCBI, and Elaine Howley, NCBI Director of Policy and Advocacy.
NCBI Board member, Dr. Donal Fitzpatrick, reading Braille for Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor (centre) and Lina Kozi, NCBI’s Library and Media Centre Manager, at NCBI’s Media Centre, Finglas, Dublin.
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Equality is more that a byword!
It’s Liberté, Egalité for May O’Brien of Liberty Hall
Author May O’Brien was born in the Gate Lodge at Baggotrath House, Sandymount, 84 years ago. May‘s father Richard, from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, worked as the chauffeur for the Egan family — wine and cordial merchants. When Mrs. Egan died and the estate was sold, the O’Briens moved to St. Broc’s Cottages, Donnybrook, where May still lives.
From the National School in Donnybrook, May and three other girls got a scholarship to the VEC in Donnybrook, to do a secretarial course. Speed typing was then an important element in secretarial training and the instructor used music to build the girls’ typing speed. As the Summer holidays approached the girls were encouraged to seek a temporary job to retain their typing speed and accuracy. That was how May came to work for the Irish Transport and General Workers Union in Liberty Hall. She gives us a glimpse of working conditions when she started work.
“I remember the first day I arrived there in 1947”, says May. “The walls of the Branch Secretaries’ office, were covered with pictures of men in uniform marching or parading at meetings, carrying guns; but these were dominated by a huge portrait of a woman wearing a beautiful gown, standing at a window, looking directly out at the viewer. That was May’s first introduction to the Countess Markievicz — usually referred to by the older staff who knew her, such as Rosie Hackett, as Madam!”
“I was met by the then Branch Secretary James Gilhooly, who came from Arigna. He told me there was no typewriter, but that we would get one from
head office in a few weeks. ‘You will do the clerical work while we are waiting’. He gave me a fountain pen, it was the first time I had seen one.”
May’s weekly wage then was 30 shillings for a five-and-a-half day week, 10am - 6 pm. Her first clerical task was to enter, by hand, the three pence per week subscriptions of the 3,500 members of the Clothing and Allied Trades Branches, from the recorded transcripts of the shop stewards, into an enormous register of membership.
Another part of May’s duties was to keep the two big fires going throughout the day. These were the only means of heat in the building, and the only means of making tea! They were lit by the cleaner in the morning, and May had to douse them as she left in the evenings. One day she let them go out and the branch secretary of the Theatre and Cinema Branch, Frank Robins, came in and said: ‘you are in big trouble! Then he showed her how to light them and using his newspaper to create a draught, he said: ‘I know a bit about fires after my experience in 1916. I got away as a stoker on
NCBI service user May O’Brien, from Donnybrook, Dublin, worked in Liberty Hall, for 45 years, becoming the union’s Women’s Equality Officer. Frank Callery recently met May and heard her story.
Copies of both editions of May’s book, ‘Clouds on My Windows’.
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It’s Liberté, Egalité for May O’Brien of Liberty Hall
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Author, activist and sculptor, May O’Brien.
a steam ship to America. It took three weeks to get there, so I know all about keeping the fires burning’”.
Over time, May became an organiser for the workers in the clothing trade, mainly women, in big clothing companies such as The Abbey Clothing Company, Janelle, and Glen Abbey; as well as the many little sweatshops across the city. She had experience of some employers who had machines on hire-purchase, cheating their women workers by ‘doing a runner’ with the finished and unfinished stock over a weekend. The machines would be reprocessed and May would spend a lot of time representing the women whose Department of Social Welfare contributions had not been paid. They were left high and dry, with no money coming in. This was a common occurrence.
She rose to become the union‘s Women’s Equality Officer, heading up the Women’s Equality Division, campaigning for a voice for women workers and bringing back ‘best practices’ which she found in operation in other countries. It was an uphill struggle, both against some of her male colleagues and the workplace environment in general, but she never relented, and in a long career in Irish Trade Unionism she made a contribution that, no doubt, those strong women of the long-ago Liberty Hall would appreciate.
In retirement she wrote her book ‘Clouds on my Windows’, which has appeared in two editions. She also continued her wood sculptures which are much appreciated by those lucky enough to receive them. May speaks candidly of her vision impairment which was in the onset as she was retiring.
“My sight was going and when I went for an eye test, the person said: ‘there is nothing I can do, the sight loss is too great, you really need to see an expert.’” Many years and many treatments
later, May had come to terms with her blindness. Undaunted, she carries on, straining to make out the small wood carving she is working on, tapping out her writings on the barely visible keyboard. She also speaks candidly of the four types of cancer she has had to battle, how that has been a scourge, effecting so many in her family. “My thing really is, as long as you can keep going, you ignore all that”.
May attends the NCBI Dun Laoghaire service users activities and is much appreciated by her peers. Her’s has been a life of service in the long struggle for women’s rights, recognition and equality in the workplace and is society in general. Although she would not say it, I think she is proud of the part she played, and still plays, in that struggle. Yes, the ghosts of Liberty Hall, including Rossie Hackett and ‘Madam’ Markievicz, would be pleased, with this daughter of Liberté and Egalité.
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Art for Art’s Sake
The large square table in the centre of the room is laden with paint tubes and brushes. It is surrounded by six artists busily applying paint to canvas, chatting and laughing, some nervously, as they embrace a new experience.
The six artists are blind and vision impaired. They bring a new awareness to the canvas and to AnneMarie Webb, the artist who is conducting the workshop. She had no idea what to expect from May, Doreen, Andree, Audrey, Des and Dorothy. They in their turn harboured the same tentative feelings and anticipation; but now, in the laughter and the expression of colour and texture, they concur in their mutual surprise.
If you circle the table and look over their shoulders, covered by home-made, black plastic aprons, you will get an insight into their lives and their artistic expression.
Doreen Kieran, with 10 percent peripheral vision in her right eye, and none in her left, is doing a painting of a boy kicking a football in a garden, It’s her grandson, she needs it to be better than wonky! She also needs AnneMarie’s advice about the placement and size of the ball. May O’Brien, a writer, and sculptor, is doing a delicate sea shore — where the waves are almost audible — almost belying her sight loss.
Des O’Farrell, with very controlled brush strokes, is working on his Mandala type painting, with very strong colours. Des has had dry macular degeneration for about 25 years.
NCBI Dun Laoghaire service users painting with laughter
Dorothy Whittaker, has never painted. Yet her seascape with bold colours, belies this. With macular degeneration, her sight has deteriorated over the last few years. She is sitting beside Audrey Tormey who is totally blind and who paints her garden with a competent sky and a picket fence. Her hands are covered in paint, they are a work of art in themselves. She has amazed her instructor AnneMarie, who admitted that she was “blown away by Audrey, she has no sight at all and no memory of colour; her hands were painting texture and that tactile expression infused the canvas. It was sculptural. When it’s dry, she will still be able to read it.”
The last but not least of the six, Andree Dorgan,
At the NCBI Dun Laoghaire art workshop, L-R: May O’Brien, Aleksandra Okupinska (NCBI), artist instructor AnnMarie Webb, Doreen Kieran, Tracy Penston (NCBI), Andree Dorgan, Audrey Tormey (seated), Dorothy Whittaker, Mary Redmond (NCBI), and Des O’Farrell.
NCBI Dun Laoghaire recently held an art workshop for its service users under the direction of artist AnneMarie Webb. FRANK CALLERY went along to experience the texture and the colours of this unlikely colony.
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NCBI Dun Laoghaire service users painting with laughter
from Dalkey, has completed a most vibrant sunset, because she can easily remember them — with the glitter on the sea! It was all there, in the painting, a fitting end to a perfect morning.
As the workshop finished Aleksandra and Tracy, the NCBI Centre staff were at the door, waiting anxiously to lend their Oohs and Ahs to the celebration of achievement. This had all started out with 15 NCBI service users visiting AnneMarie’s exhibition at the Dun Laoghaire Gallery back in April. They had gone to hear AnnMarie Webb discuss her work with Jean Byrne, hosted by the Dun Laoghaire Art Gallery and Denise French.Alek got the bug and gave it to this half dozen who, on this colourful morning laid down their memories, their artistic expressions in glorious colour; feeling their way across the palette of new experience.
RIGHT: Des O’Farrell working on his Mandala painting.
BELOW1: Andree and AnneMarie Webb discuss the vibrance of Andree’s sun, while the others work on.
Below 2: AnneMarie suggesting placement of the picket fence in Audrey’s garden painting.
Below Bottom: Dorothy’s vibrant colours compose a seascape.
AnneMarie Webb has her studio in Bray, and is working towards her exhibition in Palace Studio in Dublin in October.
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Recent Fundraising Events
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Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show
Many thanks to all the exhibitors and guests who came along to support NCBI’s 19th annual Classic Vehicle Show last Sunday in the grounds of Columba’s College on Sunday 19th June.
The show, which has been running since 1997, featured vehicles from the 1920’s right up to 1980 and even early 90’s including a Bentley S3, a Ford Model A, a TR7 V8 and a range of impressive MX5s. Special thanks to organisers Jean Ryan, Kevin Byrne, Jack Epstein and all our dedicated team of volunteers who helped make the day such a success. Over €4,000 was raised on the day to support the services of the NCBI.
Established in 1933, The Granard Cup is one of the longest running ladies golf competitions in Ireland.
The 2016 Granard Cup took place in Corrstown Golf Club, Co Dublin on Tuesday 16th August. This year, all funds from this golf fundraising event went directly towards NCBI’s Early Learning Centre, which provides specialised education service for children from birth to six years, experiencing sight loss. Thanks to the 95 clubs who participated in this year’s Granard Cup and congratulations to 2016 Granard Cup Final Winners Headfort Golf Club from County Meath. We greatly value all your support.
The winners of the 2016 Granard Cup Final was Headfort Golf Kells, Co. Meath. L-R: Anne Donohoe, Lady President, Corrstown Golf Club, winning ladies of Headfort Golf Club, Sue Ennis and Jennifer Martin, and Marion McGowan, Lady Captain Corrstown.
Granard Cup Final in Corrstown Golf Club
ABOVE: A Bentley S3. ABOVE RIGHT: A Ford Model A. RIGHT: The prize winning Lancia. BELOW: A range of impressive MX5s.
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Congratulations to the 400 cyclists including 10 tandem bikes who completed the 21st Annual Trip to Tipp in Thurles on Sunday 7th August. Almost 200 cyclists took to the roads of Tipperary at 9.30am for the 120k Glen of Aherlow Challenge shortly followed by another 200 cyclists at 10.00am for the 70k Scenic Tour of Tipperary Challenge. 40 more cyclists, runners and walkers took to the road at 2.30pm for the Trip to Tipp Family Fun Cycle 10k, Walk and Run.
This year the Trip to Tipp was dedicated to the Memory of Lorraine Shanahan who sadly passed away in November of 2015. It was also dedicated to the memory of John and Dorothy Murphy who were life-long supporters of the NCBI.
NCBI would like to thank everyone who supported the cycle including all the cyclists, the catering team, the motorbike marshals, Order of Malta ambulance crew and all the staff at Sarsfields GAA Centre in Thurles and at Tipperary GAA Centre in Tipperary Town.
Huge thanks to Brendan Sheils from Thurles for raising a fantastic €4,090 for NCBI from sponsorship cards and all our sponsors including the Murphy family who travelled from Portadown to be there. Finally, very special thanks to Billy, Katriona and Bridget Shanahan for organising the Trip to Tipp Cycle in aid of NCBI for the last 21 years. We’re so grateful for your incredible support over this time.
Granard Cup Final in Corrstown Golf Club
Trip to Tipp – In Memory of Lorraine Shanahan
LEFT: Katriona and Billy Shanahan (second and third from left) with the Murphy Family (event sponsors) at start of John and Dorothy Murphy Memorial Cycle.
BELOW: Participant Brendan Shields from Thurles who raised over 4,000 for NCBI.
Above: Family Fun Cycle.
RIGHT: Cyclists setting out on the road.
ABOVE: Tandem Selfie, Pilot and Stocker indulge in the obligatory vanity pose at Trip to Tipp.
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NCBI FundRaising Events
Upcoming Fundraising Events
NCBI National Sky Dive Day10th SeptemberNCBI will be hosting its first ever Sky Dive Day on Saturday 10th September. Face your fears and take part in a 10,000ft (2 mile high) jump, all while safely strapped to an instructor! Places are almost full so don’t miss out and call JP Corcoran
on 01 8821970 to book you jump.
Majorca Cycle Challenge with Stephen Roche11th to 18th SeptemberCycle for NCBI in Majorca this September and help raise vital funds for people with sight loss. The event will be a seven day trip with a variety of cycle rides to choose from to suit all levels. What’s more, everyone will get a chance to cycle with the legendary Stephen Roche. For more information, or if you would like to volunteer to pilot a vision impaired cyclist on a tandem bike, please contact JP on 01 8821970.
Ben Nevis Climb15th to 19th SeptemberConquer the highest mountain in the United Kingdom – the Mighty Ben Nevis. NCBI’s package includes 3 days guided climbing, return ferry and coach transport. For
more details contact JP on 018821970.
Cork Women’s Mini Marathon
25th SeptemberSupport NCBI by taking part in the Cork Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday 25th September. Whether you decide to run, jog or walk, NCBI would really appreciate your support! All participants will receive a light weight NCBI top, goody bag and fundraising support. For more information please call JP on 01 8821970.
HolmPatrick Cup10th to 12th OctoberFor only €7.50 per person you could compete for a chance to play in the final of the HolmPatrick Cup at the home of golf, St. Andrews from 10th to 12th October. Club qualifiers are currently taking place. Contact Allison Harvey on 01 8821939 for more details.
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Airtricity Dublin City Marathon for NCBI30th OctoberSupport NCBI by taking part in what will be the 36th annual Dublin City Marathon. The ultimate endurance challenge, you will run through the historic Georgian streets of Ireland’s capital city alongside 14,000 other participants from Ireland and around the world. As always, all NCBI runners will receive a fundraising pack and support. For more information, please call us today on 01 8307033 or email [email protected].
Nicholas Roche Cycle for the Blind13th NovemberJoin Tour de France cyclist Nicholas Roche in Little Island, Cork this November for a cycle challenge in aid of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Cyclists have the option of taking part in a 80k Leisure Sportive with Nico, a Team Time Trial Challenge, or a 10k Family Fun Cycle. Free t-shirt and water bottle for all cyclists. All cycles with depart from The Radisson Hotel in Little Island and entry is €25 per cyclist. Register online today at www.nicolasrochecycleforblind.com
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NCBI National Table QuizNovember & DecemberGet your thinking caps on and enter a team for NCBI’s National Table Quiz taking place this November and December. Teams are made up of up to six players and compete in regional heats throughout Ireland. Rounds will consist of general knowledge, popular culture, politics, history, geography, music, literature and sport and regional heat winners will get to compete in the Grand Final in Dublin’s Historic Mansion House on Saturday 3rd December. For more information or to register a team please call JP Corcoran on 018821970.
Dine in the Dark“Ireland’s first National Dine in the Dark weekThere have been rumblings across the restaurant industry that Ireland is set to “Go Dark” for Sight Loss in November.
NCBI in partnership with the Restaurants Association of Ireland will see 200 restaurants across the country Dining in the Dark as a national campaign to raise funds and awareness around sight loss in Ireland. Keep an eye on www.dineinthedark.ie for more information!
NCBI HolmPatrick Cup Winners 2015 - (left to right) Shane Kenny & Colin Allen representing Slievenamon Golf Club, Tipperary.
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Overseas EventsChallenge yourself to make a difference! NCBI offers a broad range of inspiring challenges in a host of destinations around the world. Whether it’s climbing Kilimanjaro, walking the Great Wall of China, or trekking to the Base Camp of Mount Everest, we have a challenge that suits you. As well as being a physical challenge, your trip will enable you to broaden your horizons by meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. Signing up provides you with an opportunity to set a goal of getting fit and acquiring incredible motivation for achieving it. Using the Earth’s Edge Charity Tour Operator, NCBI is offering our supporters a variety of expeditions both on foot and on the bike. To view these exciting challenges, please visit www.earths-edge.com, or for more information pleaseemail [email protected] or contact the fundraising team on 01 8307033.
Scented Candles
NCBI has a fabulous selection of scented candles for sale with profits going to develop our services for people with sight loss around the country. The candles are for sale in head office, on our
website and through our network of 77 NCBI Retail Charity Shops. The price is €2 each or four for €7.50 with four different scents to choose from –, Spring Nights, Summer Nights, Relaxing Nights and Festive Nights. You will find a full list of our shop locations at www.ncbi.ie/ncbiretail.
NCBI Fundraising Events
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Vhi Women’s Mini MarathonThanks so much to the 150 ladies who supported NCBI in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday 6th June. Over €20,000 was raised by Team NCBI. Congratulations to supporter Niamh Delaney from Co Laois who came first in the vision impaired category.
Recent NCBI Fundraising Events
Emma-Jane Duffy and friends.
Two of a kind who did it on the Day for NCBI.
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Recent NCBI Fundraising Events
Mother-daughter duo Niamh and Mary Delaney from County Laois.
Team NCBI in the VHi Women’s Mini Marathon before the off at St. Stephen’s Green.
Sharon Campbell and friends.
Clodagh MacCarthy and friends.
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It’s All in the Bags at Tesco!
NCBI and Tesco Ireland National Bag Pack
Carlow Visit to Clonegal
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“NCBI raises over €30,000 euro on National Bag Pack Day with Tesco Ireland.
On the 18th of June, NCBI staff and volunteers took over 60 Tesco stores across Ireland as part of our National Bag Pack Day. Tesco very kindly granted NCBI permission to run a nationwide bag pack, which resulted in NCBI raising over €30,000 euro for life enhancing services across the country.
We would like to thank all our friends in Tesco and in particular all our staff and volunteers across Ireland. The funds raised through our Bag Pack will support us in meeting demand for our services.”
Gerard Byrne in action for NCBI at Tesco.
In July, Carlow services users on a day trip to the Weavers cottages in Clonegal, Co. Carlow, were they enjoyed a very interesting insight into the history of the area. LEFT TO RIGHT: Judith Martin CRW Mathew Windsor and “Ury”, Tom Hayes, Jack Lawler (Volunteer), Gerry O’Sullivan and Michael Byrne. We had a great day and this worth a visit if you’re in the area.
NCBI’s FInbarr Roche and Rachel Sheridan taking a break from Bag Packing at Tesco.
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