Pride of the Lions 2

PRIDE PRIDE OF THE LIONSOF THE LIONS

www.lionsclubs.iewww.lionsclubs.ie

June 2012 - December 2012

TITANICTheir Stories

Niamh Remembered

OUR HEROArdal O’Hanlon

LIONS LEADERDr Tam Interview

Lions Clubs of Ireland

PRIDE OF THE LIONS 2012.indd 1PRIDE OF THE LIONS 2012.indd 1 05/06/2012 21:16:5005/06/2012 21:16:50

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PRIDE OF THE LI NSWith pride, we welcome you!

- providing support for good causes and funding for the vulnerable and those in need.

Joe Smith District Governor ElectLions Clubs of Ireland

Fellow Lions,

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the team that compiled and edited this edition of our District Magazine. The magazine, which it’s intended to publish half-yearly, is a valuable communication link for our clubs and is a means of giving the general public a � avour of the many Lions activities around the District. I’m very proud and indeed privileged to have been elected to act as District Governor for our great District in 2012-2013. Lions Clubs International had been recognised as one of the leading voluntary service organisations throughout the world. We certainly didn’t get this reputation by sitting on our hands and saying “We’re Lions”. We earned our reputation by seeking out areas where need exists and then working as a team to meet those needs. In my brief time as Vice District Governor, I’ve been able to visit quite a few clubs and I can only be impressed by the great work that’s being done. There are two words that immediately come to my mind and

they are ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘team’. It’s very easy to pick out the most successful clubs. They’re the ones where club members are enthusiastic and are acting as a team, where all members are involved and are happy to volunteer whenever required. With the right attitude, even the more modest groups can be effective. As the US anthropologist Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The attitude that “we tried that before and it didn’t work!” or “I’m too busy to help” are sure-� re ways of reducing enthusiasm in a club. And when enthusiasm drops, members leave. The saying “If you want something done, give it to a busy person!” shows that if someone is interested, they’ll � nd time. We are living in very dif� cult economic times and this affects Lions as well as everyone else. It’s all the more reason for us to maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship within our clubs and appreciate that help may be needed by some club members as well as by those

‘Lionism is needed now more than ever’A message from incoming District Governor, Joe Smith

in the community. I’m looking forward to the coming year and to working with enthusiastic teams to maintain our reputation as the best voluntary service organisation in the world.

Enjoy the read!

business machinesoffice furniture | photocopiers | stationery |

The ‘Pride of the Lions’ Editorial Team would like to acknowledge the input of Ciaran Mullooly into the concept of a Magazine for MD 105I and in guiding it to its inaugural edition late last year. With this second edition, we hope we have kept his idea alive.

Ciaran’s input


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2 12A message from Outgoing District Governor, Sean Sandford

It has been my honour this year to serve as the District Governor for Lions of Ireland, and it has been a wonderful journey travelling throughout the district meeting the many Lions members involved in their community. Having seen at � rst-hand the work of local Lions, I can honestly say that “I am proud to be a Lion”. We currently have 114 clubs with membership in excess of 2,500 voluntary members. This is the 2nd edition of the Pride of Lions magazine, which is full of colourful stories of what the Lions have been involved in this year, in their local clubs throughout the district of 105-I, which in Lions terms is the island of Ireland. Throughout this edition you will read the fantastic stories of the voluntary commitment from the members of the Lions Clubs and the many successful projects undertaken for the local community. It would be impossible to list and write about all being undertaken, so what you are reading is a � avour of what is possible. This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and there are a number of local stories from north, south, east and west relating to this great disaster which we are all remembering this year. Belfast city have the wonderful ‘Titanic Experience’ which we recommend that you take the time to visit. This year has also seen the revival of the Belfast Lions Club, and they are actively seeking members to assist with their projects. Each year Lions clubs run a youth project which we call the ‘Young Ambassador’ where we identify local heroes from local communities. This is a European wide competition, which is run by The Lions Clubs, which culminates with the national

winner being chosen to represent Ireland in the UK and Europe. This year’s winner was Niamh Cadogan, a young woman, who was selected by the Skibbereen Lions Club for her contribution to identifying an App suitable for Autistic children and fundraising to purchase Ipads, Smart phones and electronic tablet devices. Sadly Niamh became seriously ill and was unable to participate in the � nals in the UK. She subsequently passed away. Niamh is remembered in this magazine. Lions Clubs in Ireland have teamed up this year with INTEL a Global Giant in the manufacturing of computer chips, to create an innovative training programme for 16-17 year old schoolchildren. The name given is the ‘Ideation Project’. This new partnership, which was spearheaded by The Lions Club of Tullamore, is heralding an ambitious campaign to bring the programme to initially a target of 25 communities in Ireland. The aim of the two-day programme is to teach entrepreneurial skills to our youth, who are our future leaders in Ireland. We were honored this year with the visit from our International President Dr. Tam, who made a courtesy visit to Aras an Uachtarain to meet our President, Michael D Higgins. An interview with Dr. Tam is included in this edition. For his year in of� ce he challenged the Lions globally to plant one million trees as part of a global environmental service to protect the world. At the time of going to press we have planted nearly 10 million trees globally, with over 4,000 trees in Ireland so far. Internationally we are working with the United Nations, Unicef, The Red

Cross and have signed Memorandum of Understanding with the World Health Organisation to help eradicate Measles and River Blindness in the third world. We are also working with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Carter Foundation, Johnson & Johnson and P� zers on different international projects. Whenever a lions club gets together problems get smaller, and communities get better. That is because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy. We are one of the most effective club organisations. We get the job done. That is why the readers of the ‘Financial Times’ voted Lions International as the number one NGO globally. However the strength of our organisation is local, and everywhere we work, we make friends. With children who need schoolbooks, with alcohol awareness training in schools for 16-17 year-olds, with seniors needing transportation, with suicide awareness courses, the list of projects is endless. Lions in Ireland, who are all volunteers, are ordinary people doing amazing work, and local lions clubs are always seeking new members as demands for our services are increasing in this time of recession. We’re led by talented, dedicated volunteer leaders from around the world and are supported by the Lions Clubs International Foundation, which helps to fund Lions Humanitarian projects. Many thanks to Malcolm Dawson from Armagh and his team, Teresa from Cork, Danny from Bray and Darren from Westport, and not forgetting Paul Healy our Editor, for the tremendous work in putting this magazine together. Finally, best wishes to Lion Joe Smith the incoming District Governor for 2012/2013 and all the very best for his year ahead.

‘Amazing work of our members makes me proud to be a Lion’

Outgoing District Governor Sean Sandford welcomed Lions International president Dr. Tam during the year.


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It was an October evening in 2010 and 16-year-old Niamh Cadogan was watching television in her home in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. A segment on the RTE News – which mentioned autism – suddenly caught her attention. Niamh Cadogan’s younger brother, Stephen, is autistic. The RTE News report said that a woman, Lisa Domican, had invented an ‘app’ which could make communication easier for children with autism. Lisa called the application ‘Grace’ (after her daughter). Niamh Cadogan looked at her mother, Jean. “Wow! What if we could get that app for Stephen?” Niamh mulled it over. Soon, along with seven of her friends in TY in Mercy Heights Secondary School, she had started a Youth Social Innovators project. The plan was to organise a massive mobile phone recycling campaign with a view to purchasing iPods with the Grace App. The girls called the project ‘Amazing Grace: Improving the lives of children with Autism in Skibbereen.’ Niamh was elected chairperson of the group. Their initial plan was to provide the iPods for two local schools, Rossa College and

St. Patrick’s Boys National School. The girls were relentless. They made a formal presentation to Skibbereen Lions Club and the response they got was tremendous. The girls raised about €7,000 initially, assisted by the Lions Club and with local people donating mobile phones in huge numbers. Soon they had purchased three iPods. It was only the start. Niamh, normally a quiet girl, was consumed by the project. It was going places and had momentum. She was busy and enthused. Then, in March 2011, her life suddenly changed. In the words of her mother, Niamh was “hit with a bombshell.” She was diagnosed with leukaemia on the 16th of March, 2011. The diagnosis came as a shock to the entire family. Niamh wrote later that she initially felt miserable, but soon rallied and began to focus on getting better, while remaining � ercely single-minded about her autism campaign. A few weeks after the leukaemia diagnosis, Niamh suffered a stroke. She was almost completely paralysed, losing her voice and her ability to walk. Yet her determination was incredible. The hospital in Cork where she was receiving treatment was 90 minutes drive from Skibbereen, yet, after receiving

chemotherapy sessions mid-morning, Niamh would leave her hospital bed and return to school. Meanwhile Skibbereen Lions Club had entered Niamh in the Lions’ Young Ambassador competition. Also coming up was the YSI � nal in Dublin. In the Mercy Hospital in Cork she’d wake up and say to her mother ‘I’m going to Dublin with YSI (Young Social Innovators), aren’t I?’ “There is no doubt that the project kept her going” says her proud mother. Niamh was paralysed and wheelchair-bound but her willpower was such that she learnt to walk again, amazing her doctors and ensuring that she was able to make an emotional trip to the awards ceremony in the City West Hotel in Dublin. At the time, Niamh said: “The thrill I got when I was � nally pushed up onto the stage….I sat there in my wheelchair and began to speak. I was doing it. My determination was paying off….I believe only for Young Social Innovators I would have not had the courage, hunger and determination to get up and walk again.” Niamh won the Irish Lions’ Young Ambassador competition and quali� ed for the UK � nals which were scheduled for Birmingham in March of this year. “Niamh had never been on a plane in her life and she was so excited about the prospect of going to Birmingham” says her mother. “We went to see her consultant in Dublin on a Tuesday morning in February, three days before Birmingham. She told Niamh she would be well enough to travel, she was on light chemotherapy at the time. The sad thing is that an hour later they called her back and said the leukaemia had returned. The � rst thing Niamh said was that she was hoping to go to Birmingham. She was gutted. All the other � nalists sent her a beautiful card.” The family were devastated by the new diagnosis, but remained positive. “We hadn’t expected Niamh to pull through after her stroke but she had turned the tables and I said to her ‘you did it before, we’ll do it again.’ After that fateful hospital appointment in February of this year, Niamh had to undergo more intensive chemotherapy and sadly her condition deteriorated. “We weren’t really prepared” says Jean quietly. “We were always hoping….she had de� ed the odds before.” Niamh was now hospital-bound, but there

By Paul Healy

The world’s an emptier place without Niamh….but her dream will live on

Niamh, pictured meeting Boyzone star Keith Duffy.


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would be one � nal journey home. “We didn’t get much of a warning. But we got her home, to her own little bed. Her friends were great, they sat by her bedside all night.” Niamh died the next day, March 19th, 2012. She was 17. She was a remarkable young woman and her story, which has been particularly well documented through social media, has inspired people throughout Ireland and abroad. Her mother, who comes across as a woman of great strength and dignity, seems to have drawn great solace from a well that over� ows with sadness. “She didn’t want sympathy. You know, she used to be a fairly quiet girl, but the last year or so of her life was absolutely fantastic….lovely things happened to her, even if the illness was so sad. “She had been Student of the Year at school; she had won an All-Ireland Best Actress Award a couple of weeks before her death. “She was remarkable. If it had happened to me when I was 17, I’d have buried my head in the sand. But she was so brave.” And of course there was, and is, the campaign. Her legacy lives on in so many ways. Last Christmas she met Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, who is very involved with Autism Action. Niamh told him all about the ‘Amazing Grace’ project and the star promised to visit her school in Skibbereen. Sadly Niamh passed away within three months, but in May Keith Duffy arrived in Mercy Heights School in Skibbereen. On a highly emotional day the Coronation Street actor planted a tree and unveiled a bench in Niamh’s memory. “It was the warmest, sunniest day,” says her mother, “it’s so sad she wasn’t there.” Jean and her husband Denis live on their dairy farm in Coolboy. They are coping as best they can, taking strength from Stephen, their families, neighbours and friends. Stephen (now aged 11) was diagnosed

with autism when he was four. He misses his only sibling greatly. “Stephen is coping as well as can be expected. Only this morning when we were getting him dressed he asked where Niamh was. We go to the grave and we bring him. He calls it ‘Heaven’. He misses her. They had great love for one another. She’s watching out for him.” Niamh had picked the dress she wanted to wear when Stephen made his Con� rmation. It was not to be. Her funeral took place the day before her brother’s Con� rmation. Niamh’s mum cannot praise the people of Skibbereen enough as she re� ects on the funeral. “The funeral was incredible. The school was outstanding. She had a wonderful group of friends. It’s been an awful year for them too. They shouldn’t have to go through this.” Niamh was an ordinary girl and an extraordinary girl, an inspiration. Jean remembers the baby Niamh, “a cute little bundle,” born on June 22nd, 1994, then, as a little girl, “out in her wellies on the farm with her father.” As a young teenager the wellies were still sought out every evening after school as

Niamh delighted in getting on the tractor and savouring life on the farm. Just three months after their daughter’s passing, Denis and Jean have good days and bad days. “Stephen is there to get us up in the morning. We take each day as it comes.” They gain strength from the memories. Jean knows Niamh’s memory is going to live on. As Kevin Whelan of Autism Action says, “There are children with autism around the country who are now communicating with their parents thanks to Niamh.” The project will continue and Jean would love to see other Lions Clubs get involved. “Niamh had so many dreams. She had plans to volunteer to help people with Special Needs. She would have done her Leaving next year. Her dream was to become a teacher, to teach children with Special Needs. She achieved so much but she had so much more to do. “Niamh had a saying which she would use on twitter – ‘keep smiling, it helps’ – and she certainly did. Even when she passed away she still had a beautiful smile. The world’s an emptier place without her….but I feel she’s still around.”

* Jean & Denis Cadogan would like to thank their families for their tremendous support and also Niamh’s school, which has been “fantastic.” They are also very grateful to everyone in Skibbereen Lions Club for their wonderful support and say a particular thank you to outgoing Lions’ DG Sean Sandford and his wife Patricia who “have been incredible.” They also wish to thank Kevin Whelan, CEO of the Irish Autism Action and Keith Duffy.

* If any Lions Club would like to help realise Niamh’s dream of making ‘Grace’ Apps available nationally or wishes to assist the campaign in any way, they can contact either Don Davis (President) or William Kingston (Youth Of� cer) of Skibbereen Lions Club.

Niamh – in her own wordsMy name is Niamh and I have a brother called Stephen.He is one of the most loveable people you will ever meet, and will always either give you a huge hug or a big Hi-5. The idea for this project came about when I was watching RTÉ News….when our family hears about autism on the news, we automatically sit up and listen and just presume it’s another family � ghting a court case for their autistic child. But, to our amazement, it was actually good news. Here was a mother of two autistic children, who has developed an application for people with autism for the iPod. It was called the Grace Application, which she named after her daughter Grace. This marvellous woman is called Lisa Domican. After seeing her news piece I contacted her and we now communicate regularly on the internet and by phone. She has shown us that there is a way of improving the lives of people with autism and she is now one of my role models in life as she is so inspirational. I wouldn’t swap my autistic brother for the world, and I am so proud of his achievements. Without him my life wouldn’t be the same, this project would have never come about and I would never have met some of the most inspirational people that help him and his classmates.* Extract from an article written by Niamh in 2011

Niamh pictured at home with her Young Ambassador Award.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Ballynahinch Lions Club has commenced the establishment of a network of Automated External De� brillators (AEDs) in the Ballynahinch and surrounding area. This piece of equipment in conjunction with cardiopul-monary resuscitation (CPR) training will help to combat cardiac arrest. This initiative and training is being largely funded by donations from Ballynahinch Lions Club who have just added three more AEDs to the � ve previously supplied to the area. The AED model chosen has the ability to help the rescuer provide high-quality CPR as well as delivering a shock. Training sessions have been held over recent months and, to date, some 130 people have been trained in their use

and CPR. This training has involved eleven sports clubs and eight selected businesses in the Ballynahinch area. Lion Richard Harrison, a local GP, is the driving force behind the programme and he said that the club believed the provision of this vital piece of equipment was money well spent. “It is very simple – these machines save lives,” said Richard. “The statistics show that if you suffer a ventricular � brillation (cardiac arrest) your chances of survival are enormously enhanced with the application of a de� brillator. This procedure is so effective that in an ideal world we would have them available in as many outlets as possible,” he added. It is planned to extented this network of AEDs and CPR training to the surrounding towns and villages in the area

Getting to the heart of the matter

including schools and colleges. This worthwhile programme was justi� ed when one of our trainees was recently

called upon and successfully administered CPR, with the aid of an AED, while leaving a football match in England.

‘It is very simple….these machines save lives’

Lion Richard Harrison and Ballynahinch Lions Club President Francis Casement pictured with two of the AEDs which have been provided in the Ballynahinch area.

Our editorial teamTeresa DineenClub: CorkTeresa is a member of Cork Lions Club, having served for two years as secretary and two years as the club’s fi rst female President. She is currently Region 7 Chair and PRO for Regions 5 and 7 and is also involved in the Trabolgan Holiday Project. Teresa, whose partner is Declan, lives in Ballinhassig, eight miles from Cork City. She has three grown-up children and recently became a grandmother. She works as a PA to a prominent Cork Senior Counsel. Even though Teresa works and is very committed to Lions, she still fi nds time to take part in her passion of hillwalking on a regular basis and she also practices yoga. Teresa is a keen gardener and a Reiki Master. She likes to relax over good food and a glass of wine with family and friends.

Paul HealyClub: RoscommonPaul is a member of Roscommon Lions Club since 2007. He is currently the club’s PRO. Married with four children, Paul and his wife Fiona own The Roscommon People newspaper. Paul is Managing Editor of the paper and has been working in the media for the past twenty-four years. He is Editor of Roscommon Lions Club’s national award winning 4U magazine, produced as part of its suicide awareness & prevention programme. Paul edits ‘Pride of the Lions’. In his spare time he likes to watch current aff airs, sport and comedy on television, read biographies, occasionally play indoor soccer and walk – but not at the same time.

Malcolm DawsonClub: Armagh Malcolm is a Charter member of Armagh Lions Club and has held the offi ces of President and Secretary. He is currently the PRO for the Northern Regions 1 & 2. Married (to Sheila) with three grown-up children, he retired six years ago after 39 years in Horticultural research. Malcolm lives just outside the city of Armagh and apart from his involvement with Lions – which is often eff ectively a full-time job – another keen interest is amateur dramatics, in which he has been involved for over forty years.

Danny BohanClub: Bray Danny is a member of Bray Lions Club, having joined ten years ago. He is a Past President of Bray Lions Club and is currently the Club PRO. Danny lives in Bray with his partner, Tresi. A very committed Lion who worked tirelessly for the movement, he is a retired painting contractor. When he has time to indulge in his hobbies he likes to swim and also enjoys live theatre and cinema.

Darren Cawley Club: WestportDarren Cawley of Knockrooskey, Westport, Co. Mayo joined Westport Lions Club fi ve years ago. At the time he was a dialysis patient and quickly became the leader of a Westport Lions Project to promote Donor Awareness in schools in Co. Mayo. He has spoken to virtually every secondary schools in Mayo and much further afi eld in England and mainland Europe including the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In February 2011 after nine years on dialysis he received a kidney transplant and has subsequently competed in the World Transplant Games.


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Left to right: Paul Walton (Treasurer), Sean McNally, Ian Jenkinson (President), Brian Duff (new member), Rory McGuire, Dessie Johnston (vice-President), Tadgh Riordan, John O’Sullivan, Frances Breslin.

Happy 20th birthday…..to South Meath/Fingal Lions Club

Over €750,000 raised! South Meath/Fingal Lions Club recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary in Ashbourne, Co. Meath. The inaugural meeting was held in the Ashbourne House Hotel in January 1992. Over the years some of the faces have changed but the motto is the same – ‘We Serve’. Over the twenty years we have raised over €750,000. This has made life easier for numerous individuals, families and organisations in our community. Over the last year we have held a number of very successful events, including: 150km Charity cycle for cystic � brosis, raising almost €2,500; Annual Charter Night in aid of Suicide Awareness, raising €7,000 for ‘Aware’; A non-uniform day in the local secondary school, raising €1,300 for ‘Aware’; Annual Christmas Food Appeal in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul; Annual Quiz Night in aid of Winter Fuel for Senior Citizens; Annual Golf Classic in April; Women’s mini-Marathon on June Bank Holiday. We have also set up a Leo Club where the younger people in the community can serve in the same way and eventually become Lions. In the early years we ran a very successful Youth Award event which recognised young people’s involvement in their community. We are going to re-commence this award this year in our Secondary School. We also send a number of deserving people to Trabolgan each year for a week’s holiday

and we have provided a community bus in the area for many years. We actively participate in the Lions youth exchange programme where up to � fteen youths from the community travel to various foreign countries each summer to spend some time with youths of their own age. All our efforts over the last twenty years would not have been possible without the wider community who have supported us so faithfully. It is our hope that we can go on working together for the community for another twenty years and more.

CLUB FACTFILE Name: South Meath Fingal Lions Club Year of Charter: February 1992Current President: Incoming for 2012/3 is Dessie JohnstonMeetings: First Thursday of each month in the Marriott Hotel at 8.30 pmContact: Ian Jenkinson 00353 (0)872654944, email southmeathfi [email protected]; facebook South-Meath Fingal Lions Club, see also www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/southmf

Navan Lions Club moved with the times and popped up on Trimgate Street, Navan on Saturday 21st April for a one-day only ‘Pop Up Shop’, selling pre-loved clothes. This unique event was in aid of the Navan Mental Health Association, run by Margot Davis. The pop up shop was stocked by very generous friends and supporters of Navan Lions and Navan Mental Health Association. Every item of clothing was on sale for €5 – many early risers got great

bargains from designer shoes, clothes and bags – one lady getting a full out� t to go racing for €15. After a very busy fun-� lled day the shop was dismantled and unsold clothing was donated to Oxfam and St Vincent de Paul (Navan and Johnstown). Navan Lions were able to donate a very substantial donation to Margot Davis and her team at the Navan Mental Health Association. The monies donated from this event will be used to upgrade

the association’s social club where many clients enjoy great fun and companionship. Navan Lions is a proud member of Lions International, the largest service organisation with 46,000 clubs and more the 1.3 million members. A service organisation provides help in all kinds of ways by giving of the members’ time to fundraise and spend time with the needy and lonely as well as assisting charitable and volunteering groups in the community. Lions Clubs organise holidays,

‘Everyone bene� ts’Navan Lions support Meath Mental Health Association

Navan Lions Club President Eimer Hannon.entertainment, days and evenings out for the elderly and people needing assistance. See www.navanlions.ie


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All Well(ness) and goodAll Well(ness) and goodMonaghan Lions Club has always been delighted to enable, support and work with community-focused services, and 2011 brought about a perfect opportunity to facilitate a great cause. The Wellness Centre, located in Monaghan town, opened its doors on the 12th of January 2011 and presented the opportunity for all things relating to Mind, Body and Spirit to reach those in need of a little help.

The Wellness Centre offers numerous facilities to the people of Monaghan and neighbouring areas, by hosting groups such as Crocus (Cancer Support), CAWT (Co-operation And Working Together) social inclusion project, chess clubs and art groups – not to mention their purpose-built counselling & holistic therapy rooms. Monaghan Lions Club had the opportunity to sponsor the supply of furniture for the centre, � nding a very deserving home for

Members of Monaghan Lions Club pictured with some of the committee of The Wellness Centre (L-R): Lion Bill Goggins, Freda Fleming, Breda McKenna, Lion Lesley Goggins, Patricia McElwain, Collette Deeney.

CLUB FACTFILE Name: Monaghan Lions ClubYear of Charter: 1991First President: Young Bill Goggins!Current President: Kilian CawleyMeetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays at 9 pm; Westenra Hotel, MonaghanContact: President Kilian at 086-829473; Secretary Lesley Goggins at 087-9924169/[email protected]

‘next to new’ re-upholstered furniture being sold following the closure of Halifax branches around the country. Freda Fleming, committee member of the Wellness Centre, told members of Monaghan Lions Club that they have received fantastic support and generosity from Monaghan Lions, as well as from other local people and businesses, including Trevor Porter, Niall Malone, Leonard Engineering, Heiton Buckley Builders Merchants, McArdle Computer & Of� ce Supplies and McCarthy’s of Ballybay. Located at 19, The Grange, Plantation Walk in Monaghan town, The Wellness Centre is, without doubt, a fantastic example of a community-based service, supported and staffed by local volunteers. For further information on facilities and services provided, please contact [email protected] or call on 047-62565.

Newcastle Lion Paddy Shannon was recently invited to meet Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, at Buckingham Palace. Paddy’s invitation to receive an award was in recognition of his work with, and dedication to, ChildLine in Northern Ireland. In nominating Paddy, Esther Rantzen, CBE, founder of ChildLine said, “These are very special Awards, presented by the Countess of Wessex. This year they are intended to mark the long-term achievements of those individuals who, by going beyond the call of duty, have enhanced our work and enabled ChildLine to reach our 25th year. You have motivated teams, exercised your judgement with the greatest skill, transformed and saved children’s lives.” In her role as The Countess of Wessex,

Her Royal Highness undertakes public duties for a large number of her own charities and is particularly involved with charities relating to children, disabilities and communication problems as well as ChildLine and, to Paddy’s delight, Lions International in the UK. Paddy was surprised and pleased to respond when Her Royal Highness enquired of his involvement not only with ChildLine, but also with Newcastle Lions. Paddy joined Newcastle Lions Club just over three years ago and was recently elected as incoming President. He has taken an active part in various activities organised by our club. A notable one was the major role played by Newcastle Lions, working alongside Down District Council and other local organisations, in

Newcastle Lion receives Award at Buckingham Palace

the Festival of Flight which, two years ago, marked the centenary of Harry Ferguson’s fl ight along the beach at Newcastle. It was a marvellous event with displays by the Red Arrows and the Irish Air Corps and attracted thousands of visitors to the town. Paddy actually left ChildLine last year and is now working as Chaplain, co-ordinating Pastoral Care in Mercy Care Nursing Homes.

Lion Paddy Shannon pictured with Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex.


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Phenomenal response to Phenomenal response to Japanese Tsunami appeal Japanese Tsunami appeal The members of Dun Laoghaire Lions Club were appalled (as everybody else was) at the devastation and pain caused to the people of Japan resulting from the Tsunami in early 2011. The club agreed to make an immediate contribution to District 105(I) Tsunami Appeal and then review the type of club project that would successfully raise additional money. It was at this stage that our fortunes took an unexpected turn. Club member Lion Liam Power reported that his son, David, C.E.O., Orix Aviation Systems Ltd. suggested he would contact business colleagues, on behalf of our club, with a view to raising donations for the Dun Laoghaire Lions Tsunami Relief Project. Time was of the essence – therefore immediate con� r-mation was given that Dun Laoghaire Lions Club were delighted to be the channel enabling donations, in total, to be transferred to the affected districts of Japan.

A formal project launch was quickly planned and invitations issued, the venue being The Merrion Hotel. Those in attendance included Minister of State Richard Bruton, Dick Spring, Japanese Ambassador Urabe, representatives of the business community and Lions Club members. The launch lead speaker, Lion President Martin Cummins, gave a comprehensive brie� ng identifying who the Lions Clubs are, how they operate and the guarantee of no overhead or administrative costs. Lion Martin also highlighted that all monies donated will be sent from Ireland to the Lion Clubs International Foundation dedicated Tsunami Account for distribution to those locations in most need. At the launch we decided to have Lions collection buckets placed strategically in the room to facilitate collection of any donations. An end of evening bucket count totalled in excess of €11,000 (this included our Club

donation). We were delighted at the evening’s result. However, it did not end there. Additional corporate donations continued to arrive with remarkable frequency and value to Treasurer Paul Hatton, so much so that a club dedicated Tsunami account needed to be opened. The end result of the exercise

was that our Lions presentation cheque to the value of $160,000.00 was given to then D.G. Terence Mangan towards the District 105(I) Ireland Tsunami Appeal. It was an honour to see our cheque being presented at the Seattle International Convention, by outgoing D.G. Terence, to the incoming Japanese District Governor of the area most affected by the Tsunami. The high � nancial value of our Club Tsunami Appeal could not have been achieved without the initial suggestion from David Power, the dedicated involvement of Orix Aviation Systems, the wider business community and the working relationship that developed between Orix personnel and Club Treasurer Lion Paul. A big thank you to all concerned. As a mark of respect to him and in recognition of his humanitarian achievement in assisting our Tsunami Project, David Power was presented with the Melvin Jones Award at the Dun Laoghaire Hand Over Celebration.

– Dan Hurst,President,Dun Laoghaire Lions ClubThis ship landed in the heart of a town in north-eastern Japan as a result of a tsunami that struck on March 12th, 2011.

Cheque presentation: Pictured are I.P.P. Martin Cummins and I.P.D.G. Terence Mangan.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Doing good in Doing good in Dungarvan!Dungarvan!Many Lions members will know Dungarvan as a lovely little town in the sunny south-east, famous for its scenery, good restaurants, tourist amenities, sporting prowess and warm welcome. Since 1978 there has been an active Lions Club in the town which has established itself at the core of the voluntary and community sector in the West Waterford area. In more recent years the club has been bucking the system and is showing a steady increase in new membership. At the recent Convention, many Lions members were high in praise of the club’s recent successes in fundraising. For example the Christmas Appeal 2011, which is run in conjunction with Waterford local radio, raised a whopping €58,000. The key to this success is the partnership between the club and the schools and voluntary groups in the area who come on board year after year to ensure that those who are in need can enjoy the Christmas season with a level of dignity. Another fundraiser of note is the annual ‘Jigs and Reels’ competition which this year showed a ‘pro� t’ of €10,000. Meanwhile the annual Christmas Swim supplements this and makes more money available for the local community. With all this talk of money, one might be forgiven for thinking that the club consists of a group of savvy professional fundraisers. Herein lies the conundrum and a constant challenge. The motto ‘we serve’ is the real focus and all the fundraising is a means towards an end. For example all funds raised at Christmas are distributed both by the club members

and also in conjunction with the Society of St Vincent de Paul. While lots of money sees its way through the Charity account, there is never too much remaining idle there as the funds are constantly being channelled back into the community. The unwritten code is that the Lions Club has been given this money on trust by the community and the club members have the responsibility to ensure that this money is well spent on the most deserving of cases. Funding a group of guests at Trobolgan is one important way of doing this. In more recent years the club has established an Educational Trust Fund which is used in these recessionary times, to assist families with educational costs both at second and third level. It’s heartening when the club gets feedback from students who have completed their studies and when they say that without this help they would have had no option but to drop out of college. Allied to this are the cost-neutral service activities such as the regular visits to the local hospitals and homes for the elderly throughout the west of the county. While the events are organised by the Lions, local entertainers give of their time to make these memorable and fun-� lled events. The club has discovered that there is always that tension between fundraising and service. However, these are not mutually exclusive but the one has become the means towards meeting the primary objective of service which is the true spirit of Lionism. Find us on Facebook: Dungarvan Lions Club.

Peter Hayes and Eliza Sheehan, winners of Jigs and Reels 2012, pictured with members of Dungarvan Lions Club and helpers. Photograph: Dan McGrath/Editorial Images.

Life Lions

How long are you a Lion?7 years.What’s the most rewarding thing about being a Lion?I like being involved in worthwhile projects which are of benefi t to Roscommon town such as the Quad Youth Centre.Favourite television programme?A League of Their Own.What’s the best fi lm you’ve seen recently?The Proposal.Favourite musician?Adele.Favourite holiday destination?Alcudia in Majorca. Favourite celebrity?Footballer Jamie Redknapp.Newspapers & tv/radio or facebook and tweeting?Newspaper and radio.Worst thing about the recession?A lot of people are worried about the cost of day to day living.Any there are positives arising from the recession?People are beginning to appreciate what facilities are on their own doorstep when it comes to taking a holiday and entertaining kids.Who inspires you?People who come through a major illness and go on to live life to the full.How do you relax?I like to read and go away for a day trip with friends.You’re stranded on an island with three possessions.…what would you choose?A solar powered radio, pens and paper (I could write a comedy sketch or a bestseller).Can we promote Lionism better, and if so, how?I feel the national media could cover the voluntary work of the Lions around the country a bit more. From reading the ‘Pride of The Lions’ magazine there have been many charities who have benefi ted from the Lions’ eff orts and that deserves national media coverage.What are you looking forward to currently on the Lions front?As current President of Roscommon Lions Club I would hope to follow through on our project for 2012 which is to provide defi brillators for Roscommon town centre.

* Kathleen Shanagher is the fi rst female President of Roscommon Lions Club

(2011-2012).

15 questions 15 questions

we asked….we asked….

Kathleen Kathleen ShanagherShanagher


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On the 5th of November 2011 Sugar Loaf Lions completed a charity hill walk to raise funds the Cancer Care Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The catalyst for this fundraising venture was Ann Marie O’Sullivan from Arklow, Co. Wicklow who had been a long-term cancer sufferer. During the course of her illness Ann Marie was treated in the Cancer Care Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. The treatment involved the harvesting of stem cells and Ann Marie had to spend long hours in a specialised Chemotherapy Dialysis Chair. This chair, which is used by all patients undergoing stem cell treatment, had fallen into quite a dilapidated condition and needed to be replaced. In the mid-summer of 2011 Tom O’Sullivan, our Zone Chair, met Ann Marie, and on hearing the position regarding the chair he immediately suggested at a Sugar Loaf Lions meeting that we should take on a project to replace it at a cost of €2,500. At the meeting it was suggested that a hill walk would be a fun way of raising funds for the project and the walk was subsequently planned for 5th November 2011. The walk from Crone Car Park to Maulin Mountain in Co. Wicklow took about three and a half hours and approximately forty people took part, raising an amazing €8,000. Ann Marie herself with a number of friends and nurses from the Cancer Care Unit took part in the walk which was enjoyed by everyone on a beautiful sunny

‘The Chair’ presentation at St Vincent’s Hospital (l to r): Pat O’Sullivan (Ann Marie’s husband), Ann Marie O’Sullivan, Michael Cleary, (Secretary, Sugar Loaf Lions), Nurse Michelle O’Connell, Dr. McCarthy (St Vincent’s Cancer Care Unit), John Killeen (a walker who raised substantial funds), Tom O’Sullivan (Zone Chair), and Michael Lambe (President, Sugar Loaf Lions Club).

day and refreshments were then enjoyed at a local hostelry afterwards. On the 29th of January 2012 with the specialised chair already in use a cheque for €2,250 was handed over to Dr. John Hickey of the St Vincent’s Hospital Foundation (in the presence of other medical staff) by Sugar Loaf Lions President Michael Lambe. Due to the amount of money raised on the hill walk the Club was in a position to

give � nancial assistance to its Zone Project to raise funds for the purchase of land and construction of a Hospice in North County Wicklow. A cheque for €7,000 was handed over to Dr. Brendan Cuddihy, Chairman of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation. Happily due to her treatment in St Vincent’s Hospital Ann Marie continues to make a full recovery and is enjoying life with her husband Pat and sons Ian and Paul and her grandchildren.

Sugar Loaf Lions scale heights with hill walk

A group of hill-walkers on top of Maulin Mountain.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Left to right: Dermot Hogan, PRO, Ineke Owens, Matt O’Donohoe, Designer, Naomi Masterson, John Cochrane and Kieran Moore.

Mullingar Lions Club teamed up with a locally-based Couturier, Mr Matt O’Donohoe, to host a special fundraising Fashion Show in the Greville Arms Hotel on the 6th October 2011. Proceeds of the show were used to fund the purchase of essential equipment for the neo natal unit in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. The event raised over €8,500 and was used to � nance the purchase of oximeters and related equipment, used to measure the oxygen saturation levels in newborn infants. Over 350 ‘fashionistas’ attended the event and were enthralled by the quality of

Matt’s latest haute couture collection with his hand-stitched out� ts being worn by models from the Celia Holman Lee Agency. Matt has been a � xture on the Irish fashion scene for decades with his work being renowned for its quality and timeless styles. Mullingar’s Lions were also suitably attired and ensured that a very enjoyable evening was had by all in attendance, with one lucky winner receiving a voucher for an out� t from Matt to the value of €1,500. The event was so successful that Matt has agreed to link up again with Mullingar Lions Club for his next collection this coming October.

Mullingar Lions’ Fashion Show raises over €8,500

Community builders….success Community builders….success of ‘The Lion House’ projectof ‘The Lion House’ project

The Douglas & District Lions Club was founded in 1986 and the monthly meetings took placein the South County Bar. The members of the club began the � rst housing project in Ireland and succeeded in securing a fantastic sight for the project from the late Michael Hegarty of Donnybrook House in Douglas. With local Government grants and a lot of fundraising by the club members, a ten-unit building was completed on-site and of� cially opened by Her Excellency President Mary Robinson in July 1991. Ten elderly people took up residence in their new one-bedroom apartments which werecompletely kitted out by the club. The name given to the building was ‘Lion House’. In 1999 a second phase of eight houses was completed behind the existing building and these houses were named ‘Lion House

Grove’. To date 46 residents have been accommodated in Lion Houses. In addition to the club’s building projects the club also holds an annual Golf Classic, an annual charity walk, race nights, an annual barbecue for their residents and family members. Each year the club also sends 18 guests on the Lions Annual holiday to Trabolgan. The club also hold their annual � ag day to raise funds to provide coal to needy families in the community during the winter months. A large amount of Lions Coin Boxes are in the local shops in Douglas which generate much-needed funds for the winter coal run. The club also does the annual ‘Christmas Food Appeal’ and 100 collectors make the annual event a huge success, collecting in all four major shopping centres. Within Lion House there is a large community room where the club holds its monthly meetings along with other

occasional committee meetings. The club lets out this room, free gratis, to the residents and their friends in the local community where weekly ‘Bingo’ and weekly ‘Keep � t’ classes are held. Every month the ‘Cardiac Support Group’ also utilise the room for members of the community who have undergone open heart surgery and a H.S.E. nurse runs an information morning with various guest speakers on other health issues. This is but a small account of how the 26 members of the Douglas & District Lions Club ‘SERVE’ in their community.


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Community builders….success of ‘The Lion House’ project

Camp concept may go worldwide!

The Tullamore Court Hotel has never seen anything like it. Almost two hundred transition year students and their teachers, an RTE � lm crew, Intel and the Lions Club’s own recording crew and the overall winners of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition setting out the background to their success……these were just some of the features of the two-day Innovation Camp. Add to this an overall facilitator who travelled from California and a US-based keynote speaker who lectures on Entrepreneurship around the world and you have a Camp which was the largest and most unique of its type ever attempted in Ireland. Almost 700 energy bars, half a truck-load of fruit and a healthy options lunch menu fuelled the engine of the students who were divided up into 27 teams to work on two case studies based on improving both mental health and physical health in young people. Such was the success of the Camp that it is now hoped it can be replicated internationally, which would be a wonderful coup for the Tullamore Lions Club. Already, the follow-up to the Camp is being worked on by both Intel and the Lions Club and will include some additional details surrounding the six-stage process, entrepreneurship and innovation and the latest trends in technology. Intel’s aim is to bring this Innovation Camp to over 1 million students internationally over the next few years, replicating the template of the Tullamore Camp.

Enterprising timesin Tullamore

At the end of the two-day Innovation Camp, each team, using an internationally recognised six-stage process, made a presentation of their project to a jury comprising of local business people, Intel representatives and the Young Scientist winners. Each member of the winning team received an Intel powered Samsung Net book. Thousands of innovative ideas were discussed before the � nal solutions were decided upon. The transition year pupils came from

Tullamore College, Killina Presentation Secondary School, Colaiste Choilm and Sacred Heart Secondary School. A � lm crew from RTE led by their Midlands Correspondent Ciaran Mullooly (a prominent Roscommon Lion) recorded some of the key aspects of the Camp and this was shown on RTE 2 television. At the of� cial launch of the programme in Carton House, the Lions Club International President, Dr. Wing Kun Tam expressed the wish that the Tullamore project be embraced not just in Ireland, but in Lions Clubs internationally. The recording by the � lm crew acting on behalf of the Lions Club and Intel will be shown around the world, conscious of the fact that Lions Clubs are active in over 200 countries worldwide with over 44,500 Member Clubs. Intel’s aim is to bring this Innovation Camp to 1 million students over the next few years replicating the template of the Tullamore Camp. The chairman of this project for Tullamore Lions Club, Dave Kavanagh said, “This is the biggest project that our club has undertaken in its 37-year history and the news that it will be launched internationally is a great credit to all the students who took part in the Tullamore Camp and also to our own Lions Club members who gave up so much of their time to plan and facilitate at this event.”

Back row: James Dineen, TY student, Tullamore College Secondary School and Maria Byrne, TY student, Killina Presentation Secondary School. In front with Dr Tam is Brendan Cannon, Corporate Affairs Manager at Intel.

Pictured with Dr. Tam is Paul Bell,

President, Tullamore Lions Club.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Wicklow & District Lions Club currently has 27 members. We were formed in 1986, sponsored by Sugarloaf Lions Club. Our � rst president was Jerry O’Herlihy and our current President is charter member Joe Kirwan. Our bi-monthly meetings take place in The Grand Hotel, Wicklow town at 8 pm sharp every 1st and 3rd Wednesday (except for July & August). We can be contacted at [email protected]. 2011 saw our club reach its 25th year serving the community. Our Charter dinner was held in The Grand Hotel on Saturday 12th November, 2011. July marks the beginning of the new Lions year and the 14th handover in this club’s 25-year history saw Lion Neville Byrne hand over his very successful presidency to Joe Kirwan. Tony Lyons continues as club secretary and Pat O’Brien as Treasurer. Wicklow is one of Ireland’s largest counties (by land mass) but amazingly, we don’t have a Hospice. The need was obvious and within our district we actively pursued a

First 25 years of Lionism primes Wicklow & District Lions Club for a busy 2012!

Outgoing President Neville Byrne (right) and incoming President Joe Kirwan pictured on handover night. Left to right: Olive Kirwan, Joe Kirwan, Neville Byrne and Marion Byrne.

fundraising initiative which resulted in a monster race night, generating €25,000 for the Hospice. We were generously assisted by other clubs within our zone. A series of weekly quiz events run over

the winter period (10) have bene� tted community groups. This has been the 22nd year of the series and well over €11,000 was raised in the current year. These events have also provided the club with a great PR tool to emphasise the relevance of this club to our community. Text messages (over 250 + per week and counting!), advertisements and features in the local paper, local radio interviews and the internet have raised our pro� le and brand recognition exponentially. Due to the huge success of these quizzes, we have also established a schools bursary quiz, the � rst of its kind locally. Race nights are a very important and reliable fundraising tool for this club. We frequently see over €10,000 being raised at such events. Last year Frank O’Toole (past president) oversaw three events as well as the ‘monster’ Hospice race night. 2011 also saw our 18th annual Golf Classic, which, despite tough economic times, continues to be a huge success. The new Golf Classic project leader, Lion Brendan O’Connor, has ensured that with the new sponsors that we gained this year and expanding participation, the outcome of these events will be strengthened into the future. The club is also delighted with the appointment of our immediate past president Neville Byrne as Zone 4A Chairperson and we wish him every success during his term in of� ce.We look forward to the future with energy and optimism and we hope to initiate some new projects in addition to our existing ones.

At work on the Lions Club Christmas Food Appeal were Irene Winters, Neville Byrne

and David Burke.

A cheque for €25,000 was presented to Dr. Bill Cuddihy of the Wicklow Hospice by members of the Wicklow & District Lions Club.


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It’s all about the It’s all about the men – or is it? men – or is it?

Cookstown & Magherafelt Lions Club’s � rst female President, Emma McCann, recently organised an all-male Fashion Show to raise awareness for the work of Lions and to promote the pressing need for men to be attentive to their health, in particular the early detection of testicular cancer – the most common cancer in men aged 15-45. Lion President Emma said, “My inspiration for this unique event came about because I wanted to help dispel the perceived notion of many that the Lions Club is an almost entirely male organisation. Then a friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer and I felt the Fashion Show provided a perfect platform to present clear and strong messages on both fronts.” Emma continued: “Firstly, the extremely wide choice of models of varying ages, sizes, shapes and professions helped to highlight the stark fact that testicular cancer was not a discriminatory disease, but one that can affect all. “Secondly, the presence of a female Lion President allowed the audience to see that the club was very much open to lady members.” The sell-out event at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown involved well-known businessmen, council members and community � gures who modelled clothes from local outlets. The evening also featured the fabulous Whistle Bait Babies burlesque troupe, whilst the compere for the night was the inimitable Lady Portia Di Monte. A little something for everyone! With a complimentary drinks reception, generously � lled goodie bags, a free draw and gorgeous eye candy to look at, it certainly was a night to remember, but the more serious reason of the evening was not forgotten: Dr. Stewart Knox and The Ulster Cancer Foundation encouraged men to check themselves regularly and reminded the ladies they have a vital role to play in men’s health too – by encouraging them to be vigilant. Emma commented, “As President of the

Cookstown and Magherafelt Lions Club, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped on the night, especially our wonderful models, thirty in total. The event could not have happened without the assistance and generosity of the local business community. The Lions Club works tirelessly to promote good causes, both locally and internationally. At the heart of our work is the motto ‘We Serve’ and we are dedicated to raising awareness and money to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.” Looking back, Emma said, “The main aim of my Presidential year was to encourage new membership. I now know this fun-� lled event has achieved this. Several individuals who were there that night have already expressed an interest in coming to future meetings.” A donation has been made to the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

Lady Portia, compere for the evening.

Dr. Stuart Knox, Ivan Flack and Sean Henry, three of the thirty models who

took part in the all-male Fashion Show.

Lion Philip Mitchell, Cookstown & Magherafelt Lions Club’s newest Lion.

Lion John McCann having his moment on the catwalk. John is husband of Lions President Emma McCann. Lions President Emma and Vice-President Victoria are keeping an eye on proceedings in the background!

All-male Fashion Show raises health awareness


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

DUNDALK DANCE FEVER!DUNDALK DANCE FEVER!Dundalk Lions Club has been very busy since last September (2011) with many events planned to keep us occupied into the short-term future. We had our annual Pensioners trip to Galway in September where 93 of our more mature Dundalk folk enjoyed an often relaxing and mostly hilarious few days in the West. Thanks to the ‘3 degrees’ trio of Jamesie Watters, Mickey Curtis and President Seamus Gormley who looked after our guests. To part-fund this, we had a bucket collection in August to raise funds and collected over €5k. Many thanks to the Lions Club members and supporters who ‘shook a bucket’ and helped us out and to the folk who contributed. One of our youngest members, Kerri Fee, has, with the help of a few mates, raised over €2500 for the Birches in Dundalk (A Day Care Centre catering for persons with Alzheimer’s). She and her daredevil mates did a sponsored parachute jump in August and well done to them (and for landing safely). The Arch Club resumed in September also so all our drivers were busy bringing all the patrons for their weekly boogie and night out. This is a hugely important night out for the members of the Arch Club and we are proud to assist them in this.

Meals on Wheels continues each month with a � eet of cars utilised and our Bingo rolls on every week. Many thanks to Liam who puts so much into this and has helped make it a success with 90+ players each week. In November we had our Poker Classic which raised much-needed funds for our Christmas outlay. In December, we gave out 220 Christmas parcels locally to those who need it most and this is no mean feat with all Lions Club members and friends and families giving a hand. As always, we have the usual requests for assistance each week and we get to these at each meeting.

In March 2012, after months of planning, we had our Jigs & Reel competition which was a massive success, raising in excess of €20k. We had over 1000 people attending on the night and none of this would have happened without the 26 dancers, the hard-working committee and the event supporters. Congratulations to Sonya and Gussie for winning but all of the dancers were winners on the night. The feedback we got from people was fantastic and this has been pencilled in as an annual event. In May 2012 our Bag Pack and our Charter Dance were planned.

Sonya and Gussie are revealed to be the winners of Jigs & Reels!

1000 people attended Jigs & Reels in Dundalk1000 people attended Jigs & Reels in Dundalk

Nearly 30 years ago the Christmas Food Appeal began as a collaboration between Lions Clubs and Radio 2, now 2fm. Pat Billings was the 2fm contact and the late Lion Donal Moylan of Dublin Lions was the Food Appeal Of� cer. I joined the team around 1986/87. In the early years the collections mainly consisted of cans/tins of beans/peas, etc. Now it is tins of sweets and biscuits, etc. to the extent that in the early ‘90s a ‘Canned Film Fest’ was held in selected cinemas around the country! Showing a new � lm release like ‘Babe’, etc., the entrance cost was a carrier bag of canned food.

There were many other novelty promotions including ‘12 Days of Christmas’ – with sponsors giving from 1 to 12 items over the 12 days before Christmas – all in conjunction with 2Ffm and Pat Billings before he retired. When we � rst started the Food Appeal in the 1980s we collected and distributed about £60-70,000 worth of food around the District. Over the past seven or eight years, no doubt because of our reputation around the District and the fact that the Irish are so generous, we have been distributing in excess of €2 million worth of food and vouchers to the needy each year.

Remember the Canned Film Fest? Remember the Canned Film Fest?

There has been no evidence of any reduction in the generosity of the ‘givers’, despite the dowturn in our economy. We would estimate that over

the near-30-year lifespan of the project to date we have raised and distributed well in excess of €25m worth of food to the needy.

By Patrick O’Donnell, Food Appeal Of� cer

The Christmas Food Appeal: An incredible success story


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The annual Lions competitions are designed to encourage familiarity, friendship and fun among Lions and between clubs and to reward special attainments and skills amongst the Lions family. The Visiting Clubs Trophy (also known as the Open Door) was designed and presented by George Thompson to promote friendship and the exchange of ideas, principally among neighbouring clubs. It is based on the number of visits made to other clubs during the period between District Convention and the 20th February the following year: one point is awarded for each visiting Lion and the club with the most points wins the Shield for one year. The Travelling Lions Shield was presented by Bert Mason to encourage visits to more distant clubs, as the mileage travelled by each visitor and the number who travel are multiplied together to give total points earned. Over the past two years Maxol have sponsored this competition with travel vouchers for the winning club. In the 2011 contest, Ballinahinch LC were leading at Christmas from Howth/Sutton LC (1317 miles versus 725). Howth/Sutton made a few long-range visits in Leinster in January to gain the lead. At their last meeting before the deadline in February they were a little shocked when three members from Ballinahinch LC arrived in the door: the meeting had just settled down again when the door opened and another eight members

from Ballinahinch arrived, smashing the Howth/Sutton total and too late for them to do anything about it! Howth/Sutton did however win the trophy this year. The Golden Comp Stick Trophy (also known as Club Bulletin Trophy) also designed and presented by George Thompson, encourages and acknowledges eff ective and innovative internal communications within clubs. This competition has been dominated by Galway LC over the past decade and it keeps making the trip across the Shannon to Convention on Friday and back across the river on Sunday. Their bulletins are invariably interesting, informative and imaginative and are presented for competition in a chronological purple-bound volume. Texts and web-based internal newsletters and sites, etc. are now also considered for this trophy so clubs are invited to consider entering their internal communications process and samples for consideration this year. The Scrapbook Trophy (known as the Golden Scissors Trophy) also designed and presented by George Thompson, encourages and rewards clubs for the best annual Scrapbook covering the activities of the Lionistic year within their community. Colour photographs, press cuttings, letters of thanks and acknowledgement etc. give a visual record of the year’s work/play and provide a historical record for current and future members. The Club Effi ciency Trophy was originally presented by Belfast LC to

encourage administrative effi ciency but is now presented at Convention to the club which, in the opinion of the District Governor, deserves to be highlighted as the Club of the Year. The European Musical Competition is a specialised annual contest for young classical performers in Europe who are required to play an imposed and an optional piece from a set repertoire before a group of expert judges. Each year a particular instrument is selected – in 2011 it was the oboe. Closing date for the next competition is February 2013. The Photographic Competition was organised last year by the Multiple District with a closing date in January 2011: this may be repeated this year – information to follow in autumn. The Website of the Year trophy was presented by the family of the late Tom Farmer to encourage the development of eff ective web-based communications and to identify and develop relevant skills within the Lions community. The Lions youth football event is an All-Ireland competition. It is run for U-15s and the competition runs from November to May. Soccer teams/clubs who take part have to be sponsored by a local Lions Club. Normal soccer rules apply. Entry fee is €50 (£45 sterling). There are of course further competitions in existence; for details contact competitions master (see contact details in the current directory).

Lions competitionsDid you know there were so many?

Left to right: Swords Lions Club members and Minister for Health Dr James Reilly pictured at the launch of ‘Message in a Bottle.’

Swords Lions Club launched their ‘Message in a Bottle’ project in October 2011. We are assisted by the Community Gardai, HSE District Nurses, Meals on Wheels, St Vincent de Paul and local doctors and chemists with distribution – and by sponsorship from Fingal County Council. To date over 700 bottles have been distributed in our area.

Swords Swords Lions deliverLions delivermessage – message – in a bottle!in a bottle!


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Antrim Lions Club was chartered in June 1971. We currently have 28 members, two of whom are Charter Members. They are Lions Billy Bell and Dr Stanley Roberts. both recently became octogenarians and are still highly active in the club. They both represent the true meaning of Lionism and a great example to our younger members. We also have two past District Governors; Dickie Vaughan and JJ ‘Wonderful’ Mooney. Over the years Antrim have been involved and taken part in many projects, not least hosting three district conventions. Through our fund-raising activities we have donated over one million pounds to national and local charities as well as supporting Lions International. Our ‘hands-on’ services include The Talking Newspaper, Bowls with the residents of Muckamore, befriending patients at Hollywell and working with our local community. We are also involved in Santa’s Trail and Hampers for the elderly and one-parent families.

Antrim Lions Clubcelebratesanniversary 4040thth

We are currently involved with ‘Message in a Bottle’ and liaising with Antrim Council to identify local needs where we as a club can assist. We are the sponsor club for Belfast and we hope that in the coming months we will get them Chartered. Our sponsors 40 years ago were Belfast and Ballymena Lions and here we are in a reverse situation. Belfast Lions has a small core membership of excellent people but still need more and that can be dif� cult to achieve –but they will get there. A couple of years ago I took on the job of Archiver for the club and the older the club the more dif� cult that can be. Most clubs will have a member who is a ‘hoarder’ who will keep things in boxes and � les! We had such a member. Lion Malcolm McNally had records going back to the beginning. He gave them over to me and duly scanned and digitilised them to keep a permanent record of Antrim Lions. In July 2011, after a short illness, Lion Malcolm passed away, he is survived by his loving wife Pat and their two sons Donald and Ian. Malcolm became a Lion in 1972 and went on to become a Great Lion. He served our Club as Secretary and President and Asst. Dist. Secretary to two District Governors. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow and was presented with The Bert Mason Humanitarian Award. Malcolm was meticulous and thorough in everything he undertook. He was the epitome of kindness and generosity and had great feeling for those less fortunate than ourselves and of course he was a ‘hoarder.’ Thank you Malcolm. We will all miss you.

Charter Members Billy and Stanley (total age 160).

Life Lions

How long are you a Lion? I am a member of the Thurles Club for the past 25 years. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a Lion?Helping people who are less fortunate than I am. Giving a little bit back to the community.Favourite television programme?Watching Francis & John Brennan from The Park in Kenmare.What’s the best fi lm you’ve seen recently?The Shawshank Redemption, again.Favourite musician?Neil Diamond.Favourite holiday destination?Italy. Nothing wrong with West Kerry or West Clare.Favourite celebrity?Not into celebrities. Believe that the majority of them are only interested in promoting themselves. Newspapers & TV/radio or Facebook and tweeting?Newspapers and radio.Worst thing about the recession?I believe that the people who were responsible, the politicians, the bankers and the developers, will get away with it and have plenty of money in their pockets and in external bank accounts.Are there any positives arising from the recession?It has brought people back down to earth. There is nothing wrong with people aspiring to own their own home. Some wanted to own everyone’s home.Who inspires you?Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair.How do you relax?Walking around The Racecourse in Thurles where I can relax and think without interruption and solve the problems of the world until the dogs start chasing the horses. You’re stranded on an island with three possessions, what would you choose?A supply of Sudoku. A mobile phone so that I can get off the bloody thing…..Can we promote Lionism better, and if so, how?We have to. We need to promote awareness of what the Lions Clubs stand for and the amount of work which we do for this country. We need to let people know that we are a voluntary service organisation where 100% of their funds will be used for the betterment of humanity. It is up to the individual clubs to promote this in their own locality. The leadership of the organisation need to meet with the relevant Departments of Government, RTE, Newspapers and Media organisations and demand coverage to promote the work we do. What are you looking forward to currently on the Lions front?Personally I am looking forward to visiting the clubs around the country and meeting the members and listening to their ideas and suggestions to push the organisation forward.Liam Lyons is Vice-District Governor (from July 2012)

15 questions 15 questions we asked….we asked….

Liam LyonsLiam Lyons


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2 12

By Emilie Maguire, Antrim Coast Lions Club

In October 2010 my husband PJ, myself and some family friends went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, in Bosnia. On the third day of our visit we were told that a minibus was going to a refugee camp and asked if anyone was interested. About a dozen of us decided to go on the trip, and what we saw that day had a profound effect on all of us. The families in Tasovcici camp, Capljina, live in awful conditions in tiny tin huts, 16 ft. x 12 ft., with asbestos roofs. The toilet and shower facilities shared by the camp are appalling. These innocent victims of the Bosnian war were ordered out of their homes at gun-point and were left with nothing. I decided that day that I was going to build a house for one of the families. On my return to Carnlough, I went along to the owner of a local business, which had been boarded up for circa 10 years and asked if I could have the premises for a charity shop, to raise funds for the house. He agreed and gave me the keys the following week. PJ, Robert (a friend) and I went into the shop only to � nd it full of rubble and in a much worse state than I had imagined. We brushed, washed and painted for quite a few hours and I wondered if I had rushed into this too quickly! However, a few days later I thought of all my good friends and colleagues in Antrim Coast Lions Club and decided that I would put a proposal to them at the next meeting. The club agreed unanimously that

How we built a house for Bosnian War victims

….and found our own ‘Aladdin’s Cave’!

they would give their full support to the formation of a Lions Club Charity Shop in Carnlough and the � rst project would be to try and raise £35k to build the house in Bosnia. So the work began in earnest, � lling plaster holes, � tting shelves, repainting, cleaning and carpeting – (particular thanks to PJ, Brenda, Anthony and Sandra for their help at this stage). Initially we had one room in the shop but over time we have taken over the bottom � oor (3 rooms) and the business has gone from strength to strength. We handed over the � nal cheque at a celebration dinner for our volunteers on

April 11th. The house is now complete and the family moved in for Easter. The shop has been a huge success in so many ways. Our initial plan was to raise funds for the house; however, we have helped the village by revamping a derelict property. Customers have described it as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’, and one satis� ed customer suggested it be renamed ‘Serendipity’. Our volunteers have con� rmed that they have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the shop, and the success of the project has given the club, the volunteers and all involved a great sense of achievement.


– 20

–

PRID

E O

F TH

E LI

N

S

– 21

–

2

12

In e

arly

Mar

ch 2

012

Lion

s in

Irela

nd w

ere

delig

hted

to w

elco

me

our I

nter

natio

nal P

resi

dent

Dr W

ing

Kun

Tam

to th

ese

shor

es.

He

arriv

ed f

rom

Rom

e on

8th

of

Mar

ch a

s pa

rt o

f a

very

in

tens

ive

Euro

pean

tour

.

He

bega

n hi

s vi

sit

to I

rela

nd i

n th

e co

mpa

ny o

f D

istr

ict

Gov

erno

r Sea

n Sa

ndfo

rd w

ith a

cou

rtes

y ca

ll to

mee

t Pre

side

nt

Mic

hael

D. H

iggi

ns a

t hi

s re

side

nce

in A

ras

an U

acht

arai

n. D

r Ta

m p

rese

nted

Pre

side

nt H

iggi

ns w

ith a

Lea

der o

f Sta

te m

edal

an

d in

the

tra

ditio

n of

his

Pre

side

ntia

l Ca

mpa

ign

a Ch

erry

tr

ee w

hich

will

be

plan

ted

next

to th

ose

plan

ted

by P

resi

dent

O

bam

a an

d Q

ueen

Eliz

abet

h II

durin

g th

eir r

espe

ctiv

e vi

sits

to

Irela

nd.

On

the

follo

win

g da

y he

vis

ited

the

shel

tere

d ho

usin

g pr

ojec

t bu

ilt b

y M

ayno

oth

Kilc

ock

Lion

s an

d ha

d te

a w

ith o

ne o

f the

re

side

nts

in h

er h

ome.

Fro

m t

here

it

was

on

to t

he n

earb

y Ca

rlton

Hou

se w

here

he

met

with

a g

athe

ring

of m

any

Club

Pr

esid

ents

fro

m t

he D

istr

ict.

Befo

re h

is a

rriv

al D

r Ta

m h

ad

expr

esse

d th

e de

sire

to

mee

t as

man

y Li

ons

Pres

iden

ts a

nd

gras

sroo

ts L

ions

as p

ossi

ble.

He

took

the

oppo

rtun

ity to

spea

k pe

rson

ally

with

them

and

on

an in

divi

dual

bas

is.

Tu

llam

ore

Lion

s Cl

ub h

ad t

eam

ed u

p w

ith g

loba

l gi

ant

Inte

l to

run

a tw

o-da

y In

nova

tion

Cam

p la

ter

in M

arch

in t

he

Tulla

mor

e Co

urt H

otel

and

dur

ing

his v

isit

Dr T

am to

ok ti

me

to

laun

ch th

e pr

ojec

t. Th

e id

ea o

f the

Cam

p is

to in

spire

stu

dent

s in

the

Tul

lam

ore

area

to

get

exci

ted

abou

t in

nova

tion

and

entr

epre

neur

ship

. The

inte

ntio

n is

to

mak

e th

is a

suc

cess

ful

natio

nwid

e pr

ojec

t fo

r st

uden

ts i

n Tr

ansi

tion

Year

and

for

16

/17-

year

-old

s in

Nor

ther

n Ire

land

. D

r Ta

m w

as a

lso

very

ex

cite

d ab

out

the

pros

pect

s of

mak

ing

this

a g

loba

l pro

ject

an

d th

e In

tel

man

agem

ent

have

con

fi rm

ed t

hat

they

will

es

cala

te th

is a

nd a

rran

ge fo

r a s

enio

r glo

bal e

xecu

tive

who

is

base

d in

Indi

a to

spe

ak to

Dr.

Tam

. O

n Su

nday

, bef

ore

his

depa

rtur

e fo

r the

rest

of h

is E

urop

ean

Tour

, Lio

ns in

Reg

ions

1 &

2 w

ere

hono

ured

that

Dr T

am to

ok

time

in h

is v

ery

busy

sch

edul

e to

vis

it A

rmag

h.

The

visi

t be

gan

by m

eetin

g m

embe

rs o

f th

e A

rmag

h Cl

ub

at L

isan

ally

Spe

cial

Sch

ool.

Arm

agh

Lion

s ha

ve a

spe

cial

re

latio

nshi

p w

ith t

his

scho

ol i

n th

e ci

ty,

havi

ng r

ecen

tly

prov

ided

fi n

ance

for

the

ir M

usic

The

rapy

pro

gram

me

and

prev

ious

ly f

or p

layg

roun

d eq

uipm

ent

and

stag

e fa

cilit

ies.

It w

as a

lso

arra

nged

for

Mrs

Ann

a Lo

– t

he fi

rst

nativ

e Ch

ines

e m

embe

r of

any

Eur

opea

n Le

gisl

ativ

e A

ssem

bly

who

is f

rom

th

e sa

me

area

as

Dr

Tam

–to

mee

t hi

m. T

he P

rinci

pal

Mrs

Sa

ndra

Fly

nn s

how

ed D

r Tam

the

man

y an

d va

ried

faci

litie

s in

th

e sc

hool

and

he

show

ed a

dee

p in

tere

st a

nd u

nder

stan

ding

of

the

wor

k ca

rrie

d ou

t for

thes

e sp

ecia

l stu

dent

s.

Follo

win

g a

brie

f to

ur o

f so

me

hist

oric

site

s in

Arm

agh

City

, D

r Ta

m m

et w

ith L

ions

Pre

side

nts

from

the

Reg

ions

an

d th

en p

lant

ed a

n el

m t

ree

on t

he h

isto

ric M

all i

n th

e ci

ty.

Befo

re d

epar

ting

for

Dub

lin A

irpor

t lu

nch

was

pro

vide

d in

th

e Ch

arle

mon

t A

rms

Hot

el a

nd a

gain

Dr T

am w

as e

xtre

mel

y ge

nero

us w

ith h

is t

ime

in m

eetin

g lo

cal L

ions

on

a pe

rson

al

and

indi

vidu

al b

asis

, pre

sent

ing

each

with

his

Int

erna

tiona

l Pr

esid

ent’s

Pin

and

the

Dis

tric

t Gov

erno

r with

his

Inte

rnat

iona

l Pr

esid

ent’s

Med

al –

a s

ingu

lar h

onou

r for

our

Dis

tric

t. D

urin

g hi

s vis

it, w

hich

was

hec

tic to

say

the

leas

t, D

r Tam

cam

e ac

ross

as

a w

onde

rful

hum

anita

rian

and

a to

tally

com

mitt

ed

Lion

who

bel

ieve

s ab

solu

tely

in

the

glob

al p

ower

of

Lion

s w

orki

ng t

oget

her

as a

fam

ily.

He

show

ed h

uge

inte

rest

in

empa

thy

with

all

thos

e he

cam

e in

con

tact

with

whi

ch w

as

part

icul

arly

evi

dent

in

his

visi

ts t

o th

e Sh

elte

red

Hou

sing

Pr

ojec

t in

May

noot

h an

d th

e Sp

ecia

l Sc

hool

in

Arm

agh.

O

vera

ll, a

trem

endo

us a

mba

ssad

or fo

r Lio

nism

wor

ldw

ide.

Inte

rna

tio

na

l P

resi

de

nt’

s v

isit

Lio

n M

AL

CO

LM

DA

WSO

N in

terv

iew

ed th

e w

orld

’s m

ost

seni

or L

ion,

DR

WIN

G-K

UN

TA

M, d

urin

g hi

s re

cent

vis

it to

Ire

land

….

Wha

t was

you

r int

rodu

ctio

n to

Lio

nism

and

w

hy d

id f

eel y

ou w

ante

d to

get

invo

lved

?

I � r

st b

ecam

e aw

are

of th

e L

ions

org

anis

atio

n in

19

81

whe

n I

was

w

orki

ng

in

Taiw

an

and

notic

ed a

fri

end

who

was

wea

ring

an

inte

rest

ing

lape

l pi

n. I

t w

as a

Lio

ns p

in a

nd

he a

sked

me

whe

ther

I w

ould

be

inte

rest

ed

in j

oini

ng a

Lio

ns C

lub.

At

the

time

I ha

d no

ide

a w

hat

Lio

ns w

ere

or w

hat

they

did

. W

hen

I ret

urne

d to

wor

k in

Hon

g K

ong

I was

ag

ain

invi

ted

to j

oin

and

I fo

llow

ed u

p on

it

this

tim

e. T

he �

rst

pro

ject

I w

as i

nvol

ved

in

was

the

dis

trib

utio

n of

sm

all

gift

pac

ks t

o el

derl

y pe

ople

whi

ch t

he c

lub

wer

e ta

king

on

a c

ruis

e. T

hey

wer

e so

touc

hed

and

happ

y to

thi

nk t

hat

they

had

not

bee

n fo

rgot

ten

by

soci

ety

and

that

som

ebod

y ca

red,

eve

n if

the

gi

ft p

acks

con

tain

ed o

nly

a to

othb

rush

and

to

oth

past

e, t

owel

, bi

scui

ts a

nd s

ome

othe

r da

ily e

ssen

tials

. I w

as s

o af

fect

ed b

y th

is th

at

I de

cide

d th

ere

and

then

that

I s

houl

d jo

in.

As

a ne

w

recr

uit

wha

t w

as

the

mos

t im

port

ant

thin

g yo

ur c

lub

did

to r

etai

n yo

ur in

put

and

inte

rest

? A

t th

e tim

e I

join

ed I

was

the

you

nges

t m

embe

r of

the

clu

b. I

was

ado

pted

by

the

mem

bers

, th

ey t

reat

ed m

e as

a p

art

of t

heir

fa

mily

an

appr

oach

I ha

ve a

dopt

ed th

roug

hout

m

y ca

reer

in th

e or

gani

satio

n. It

was

then

that

I

star

ted

to u

nder

stan

d th

e sp

irit

of L

ions

. I

unde

rsto

od a

nd b

elie

ved

we

are

to h

elp

the

need

y an

d sh

are

our

happ

ines

s w

ith o

ther

s.

My

club

trea

ted

me

like

a fa

mily

mem

ber.

As

a ne

w L

ion

I w

as l

ike

a ba

by a

nd m

y cl

ub

took

car

e of

me

until

I co

uld

stan

d on

my

own

and

be t

he o

ne t

o nu

rtur

e ot

hers

. O

ur c

lubs

ne

ed to

trea

t our

mem

bers

like

fam

ily.

How

do

yo

u ba

lanc

e L

ions

an

d w

ork

resp

onsi

bilit

ies,

es

peci

ally

at

th

e up

per

leve

ls o

f bo

th?

As

Pres

iden

t th

is y

ear

I ha

ve h

ad t

o lit

eral

ly

trav

el

the

wor

ld

to

give

m

y su

ppor

t an

d ap

prec

iatio

n to

the

wid

er L

ions

fam

ily a

nd

this

has

obv

ious

ly m

eant

tha

t I

have

bee

n aw

ay fr

om fa

mily

and

bus

ines

s a lo

t. H

owev

er

I ha

ve a

tru

sted

and

cap

able

sta

ff w

ho h

ave

been

with

me

for

a lo

ng ti

me

so I

can

dev

ote

a lo

t of

time

to L

ions

and

of

cour

se I

kee

p in

co

ntac

t w

ith t

hem

and

my

busi

ness

thr

ough

em

ail o

n a

daily

bas

is.

* (D

r Ta

m s

tart

ed h

is t

rans

port

bus

ines

s in

19

81 a

nd t

oday

his

tra

nspo

rtat

ion

com

pany

ha

s em

ploy

ees

in t

wen

ty o

f� c

es a

cros

s th

e w

orld

).

Wit

h yo

ur s

ched

ule

I’m

sur

e yo

u ha

ve t

o w

ind

dow

n at

lea

st o

ccas

iona

lly!

How

do

you

rela

x fr

om L

ions

/wor

k, a

nd d

o yo

u ha

ve a

ny p

arti

cula

r ho

bbie

s?

Hav

ing

an i

nter

natio

nal

busi

ness

and

bei

ng

Lio

ns P

resi

dent

doe

sn’t

lea

ve m

e a

lot

of

(fre

e) t

ime,

how

ever

whe

n I

can

get

away

I

do lo

ve s

kiin

g.

* (W

e al

so l

earn

ed i

n A

rmag

h th

at h

e ha

s a

love

of

hors

erac

ing

and

owns

a n

umbe

r of

su

cces

sful

hor

ses.

His

hor

se S

ight

Win

ner

won

the

Gro

up O

ne C

ham

pion

s M

ile in

Hon

g K

ong)

.

Tel

l us

abou

t our

fam

ily a

nd h

ow th

ey v

iew

yo

ur in

volv

emen

t w

ith

Lio

ns?

I ha

ve

thre

e ki

ds

– A

lvin

, T

iffa

ny

and

And

rew

– a

nd t

hey

are

so s

uppo

rtiv

e an

d un

ders

tand

ing

conc

erni

ng m

y in

volv

emen

t w

ith L

ions

. T

he a

lso

� nd

the

wor

k of

the

L

ions

rea

lly m

eani

ngfu

l.

Is

ther

e an

y pa

rtic

ular

L

ion

who

ha

s pr

oven

par

ticu

larl

y in

spir

atio

nal f

or y

ou?

The

cha

rter

pre

side

nt o

f m

y cl

ub…

.whe

n I

join

ed th

e cl

ub, h

e w

as 9

4!

If y

ou h

ad a

n id

eal

retr

eat

from

the

rus

h,

care

s an

d st

ress

es

of

your

bu

sy

wor

ld,

whe

re w

ould

it

be a

nd w

ould

you

sha

re

your

sec

ret

wit

h an

ybod

y el

se?

Bec

ause

of

my

very

bus

y sc

hedu

le I

am

al

way

s aw

ay f

rom

Hon

g K

ong

and

hom

e so

m

y id

eal

retr

eat

wou

ld b

e to

sta

y ho

me

and

shar

e so

me

qual

ity ti

me

with

my

kids

.

As

the

wor

ld’s

m

ost

seni

or

Lio

n yo

u ha

ve h

ad t

he o

ppor

tuni

ty t

o m

eet

man

y in

tere

stin

g pe

ople

. Who

sta

nds

out

for

you

and

who

wou

ld y

ou l

ike

to m

eet

if t

here

w

as

the

oppo

rtun

ity

– an

d w

ould

yo

u ch

ange

pla

ces

wit

h hi

m/h

er?

As

Pres

iden

t of

Lio

ns C

lub

Inte

rnat

iona

l I

have

bee

n ho

nour

ed to

mee

t man

y in

tere

stin

g an

d im

port

ant

peop

le

this

ye

ar.

The

se

mee

tings

hav

e re

sulte

d in

man

y in

spir

atio

nal

conv

ersa

tions

and

hav

e br

ough

t m

e m

any

good

exp

erie

nces

and

it

wou

ld b

e in

vidi

ous

to s

elec

t on

e fr

om t

he m

any.

I a

m h

owev

er

satis

� ed

with

bei

ng m

ysel

f an

d w

ould

not

ch

ange

w

ith

anyo

ne.

I ha

ve

expe

rien

ced

man

y ob

stac

les

in m

y lif

e –

no-o

ne is

per

fect

an

d th

at i

s w

hy L

ions

can

do

a gr

eat

job

in

serv

ing

othe

rs.

‘The

tea

r or

the

sm

ile o

n a

face

is

wha

t th

e L

ions

org

anis

atio

n is

all

abou

t’

Ge

ttin

g t

o k

no

w o

ur

Lio

ns

Inte

rna

tio

na

l P

resi

de

nt

(Abo

ve) D

r. Ta

m p

rese

nts

his

inte

rnat

iona

l Pr

esid

ent’s

Lea

ders

hip

Med

al t

o D

G S

ean

at a

lu

nch

rece

ptio

n in

Arm

agh.

(Lef

t) D

r. Ta

m p

rese

nts

his

bann

er t

o Sa

ndra

Fly

nn,

Prin

cipa

l of L

isan

ally

Sp

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– 22 –

PRIDE OF THE LI NS

On a personal level what would you like to be remembered for during your year in of� ce? To be honest it is not an individual effort – I rely on the love and support from Lions around the world. Wherever I have visited I have experienced this love and care and they have treated me like part of the family.

You run a very successful international business. Are there any lessons for Lions arising from that success? Just like my theme this year ‘I believe’ expresses the thought that the Lions of the world have created a culture organised around a belief in the value of giving back – and a belief that one person truly can make a difference. Just the same in running a business you do your best to ful� l the commitment you have made and over time your reputation will be established and you create a long-term relationship with your ‘customer.’

If you had to sum up in a sentence why a new member should join their local Lions Club, what would it be? The power of serving the needy in society wherever they are is unbelievable as is the payback personally from this service. Lions worldwide is a big family and you will be cared for and nurtured in this family.

You obviously do a lot of international travel….do you watch the in-� ight movie or would you rather listen to music and if so what would your preferred type of music be?

To be honest as I am travelling on an unbelievably hectic schedule I would grasp

‘The tear or the smile on a face is what the Lions organisation is all about’ Getting to know our Lions International President

the time to rest on board so that when I get to my destination and another round of visits and meetings I can give them the best that I can and that they deserve. I do love music and my favourite would be children’s or youth orchestras.

Thinking of your home club…..what was the project that gave you the most satisfaction on its completion? I think it was the � rst service I did at the beginning of my life within the Lions organisation. It was the � rst time I experienced the joy and happiness that I can bring to other people through providing a service or a gift, even though the may not be anything valuable. The tear or the smile on a face is what the Lions organisation is all about and is priceless to the giver. * (It is revealing of the man that Dr Tam chose this as his most satisfying project when he has been involved in much higher pro� le ones – for example under his leadership, Hong Kong Lions raised more than US$2 million for a Nature Education Centre and he initiated the SightFirst China Action, which helped 5.2 million people recover their eyesight).

You obviously have a great interest in things environmental – do you consider the conservation of our natural world the � rst priority on a world scale? It is at least one of the global priorities as environmental conservation will bene� t the next and following generations. I strongly believe that every right-thinking person would love a greener earth and that is why I chose tree planting as one of my themes this year. It’s no secret that trees help the environment, but you may be surprised by all the bene� ts that

planting a tree can provide. Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. They also reduce erosion to save soil, help preserve local water sources and provide habitat for wildlife living under more and more stress. Simply put, planting trees in your neighbourhood really is one of the best things you can do for the local environment. The project started off with a target of one million trees and as of mid-April has reached well over eight million – the commercial equivalent of over 8,000 acres of forestry. This will sequester between 10-20,000 tonnes of carbon and produce 12,000 tonnes of oxygen per year – quite a legacy to leave behind.

Apart from being a year older will you have changed as a result of your term of of� ce and what are your immediate plans when it is over – apart from putting your feet up? I really don’t have any plans at the moment. I am too busy to think about it right now as I am fully engaged with the commitment that the of� ce of President brings. My year of of� ce has given and is giving me a huge opportunity for experience and insights that I would otherwise not have had and perhaps I will travel back to some places that I found interesting and was not able to spend suf� cient time in.

Finally, would you like to take this opportunity to give the grassroots members of the Lions Clubs of Ireland an inspirational message to keep them engaged in these times of economic gloom? My message to the Lions Clubs of Ireland is the same as my theme for my year of of� ce – ‘I believe’. Please keep spirits up and have the courage to overcome the gloom. Dr. Tam pictured addressing guests in Tullamore.


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CLUB FACTFILE Name: Omagh Lions ClubYear of Charter: 1974 – fi rst President was Harry McCartney Current President: Siobhan Sweeney Incoming President: Dennis GeelanMeetings: In The Village Inn, Killyclogher, Omagh on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly at 8 pm Contact: Heather Watson (Secretary) at [email protected]

Omagh Lions Club has been involved in a very exciting and innovative project in west Tyrone. In the spring of 2009 a community group in Loughmacrory, seven miles from Omagh, held a public meeting alongside the Lough’s Agency. The meeting was called to try and get volunteers to form an angling club on the Lough. Great work had been done to raise funds to improve the facilities around this 60-acre facility and to date a community centre and toilet facilities had been built, as well as a gravel walkway around the Lough. However with no angling background the community group needed help. At the meeting a member of Omagh Lions Club was elected Chairman – Lion Peter Akien. Peter was highly involved in local angling. He formed a committee of 12 local anglers and the club was named Loughmacrory & Murrins District Angling Association. Lion Peter brought the Omagh Lions Club

on board as fund-raising and volunteers were needed. We partnered with the Development Association and began to organise events to promote the area and to help to further improve facilities. The � rst event was Lough Sunday, a family fun day in August 2010. Omagh Lions Club helped to organise and host this and also sponsored a Birds of Prey show. This went down a treat and proved hugely popular with over 2000 people in attendance on the day. This event helped to raise money towards purchasing two boats for the angling club and Omagh Lions gifted the club a third boat. One of the highlights for Omagh Lions Club in 2011 was an invitation to Stormont by the West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff in recognition of our work in Lough McCrory. We were given a guided tour and a great evening was had by all. This was a great PR event for Lionism in the area.

The lough was declared an area of special scienti� c interest in 2012 due to its rare � ora and fauna, making it one of the very few areas with this status, so visitor numbers is steadily growing. After two years of negotiations the angling club has been given permission to stock the Lough. This will be carried out and funded by Omagh Lions Club to help get the club established as a successful � shery, and to encourage youth and disabled angling. We intend to focus our attention after this on the provision and improvement of disabled access and to help to construct disabled stands. Omagh Lions Club has found the partnership with all these groups very bene� cial. It has greatly increased community awareness of our existence. We have taken part in the removal of invasive trees and the replanting of native species – as we all know the present International President of Lions has a big interest in the planting of trees. We have also distributed logs donated by the groups to combat fuel poverty and helped to host talks alongside the Environment Agency on the problems of invasive species. We hope to continue this partnership for many years to come and to help to promote and maintain this facility. This project would never have succeeded without the hard work and dedication of all lions, but especially Lion Roy Willkinson (Past Region 1 Chairman), Lion Tony Laird (President 2009-2011), Lion Peter Akien and our current President, Lion Siobhan Sweeney.

Omagh Lions Club President Siobhan Sweeney and Loughmacrory Omagh Lions Club President Siobhan Sweeney and Loughmacrory & Murrins Fishing Club and Loughs Agency members.& Murrins Fishing Club and Loughs Agency members.

Omagh Lions hookedOmagh Lions hookedon Lough project!on Lough project!

Lion Peter Aiken, Chairperson, Loughmacrory

& Murrins Angling Association.

Lion Roy Wilkinson releasing new trout into the lough. Loading silverheads for transfer to Lough.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Irish international rugby star Rory Best (fourth from left, front row) and assembled Lions pictured at the ‘Northern launch’ of edition one of ‘Pride of the Lions.’

Irish rugby

star Peter Stringer pictured with Cork Lions Club President Christopher

Allander at

the launch

of edition one of ‘Pride of the

Lions.’

Irish rugby star Peter Stringer pictured with Declan Desmond, former winner of Lee Swim, at the launch of edition one of ‘Pride of the Lions.’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny performs the launch of ‘Pride of the Lions’ in Castlebar, with Ciaran Mullooly (left) and Sean Sandford, outgoing District Governor.

First First

Edition Edition

LaunchedLaunched


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Lions from all over Ireland recently congregated in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, to celebrate the 44th year of Lionism in the city. Lion President, Blanaid O’Shea welcomed District Governor, Sean Sandford, his wife Patricia, Rotary President, John Doherty, his wife Joan and all other assembled guests. In her speech, President Blanaid outlined the ethos of Lionism and gave an account of the events which the Newry Lions undertake annually. These include: the weekly talking newspaper, which is distributed to 100 visually impaired people in Newry and Mourne, Christmas dinners delivered to in excess of 150 people and the Kilbroney Vintage Car Rally. On the evening, cheques were presented to the local division of Headway and Chernobyl Aid North. Newry Lions wish to thank everyone who supported the event and contributed to such a successful evening.

year of Lionism inyear of Lionism inNewry celebratedNewry celebrated4444thth

Eugene and Mary Doran and Sean and Geraldine Duffy.

Eamon and Pauline McEvoy with Fiona and Tom McEvoy.

Paula King, Kate Carragher, Blanaid O’Shea and Niamh Shine.

Mayor of Newry and Mourne, Charlie Casey with Blanaid O’Shea and Bridie Casey.Patricia and Sean Sandford. Judith Devine and Elizabeth O’Connor.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Readers of ‘Pride of the Lions’ will be well aware that the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic has been commemorated throughout 2012. Of the 120 passengers of Irish nationality on board, only 42 survived – the vast majority travelling steerage. In this special feature we present individual stories which have tended to get lost in the plethora of statistics of the ship and its passengers and crew and the happenings on that fateful day of 15th April 1912.

The Titanic:Their Stories

Francis Browne was born in 1880 in Cork, the youngest of the eight children of James

Jesuit priest and the American millionaire couple

Annie Gibson was a native of the hamlet of Caledon on the edge of Armagh. She worked in service on the Caledon Estate, home to Earl Alexander. Her friend had sailed to America the previous year and after � nding a position in a house on Fifth Avenue she wrote to Annie, telling her of a vacancy that was becoming available. Having read her friend’s descriptions of New York, Annie made up her mind to set sail and booked her passage on the Titanic. However three weeks before she was due to board Annie caught a cold which turned into in� uenza and she was informed she could not sail in that condition in case she caused infection amongst other passengers, particularly as she was travelling Third Class, and the conditions were cramped and lacked a good supply of fresh air. A disappointed Annie was forced to relinquish her ticket and returned to the Caledon Estate. Little did she know the in� uenza saved her life. As a third class passenger, it is unlikely she would have survived. Undaunted and determined to start a new life in a new land, Annie, having recovered, later sailed to America after all. Subsequently she married and settled down in the United States. Annie’s great-nephew Fred Gibson still lives in Armagh, aged 80.

Was booked on Titanic – but couldn’t travel due to illness

Fourteen people from the small parish of Addergoole in County Mayo were on the Titanic when it sank on its maiden voyage at 2.20 am on the morning of 15th April 1912. The group were well acquainted with eachother – in fact several were related. Only three of the fourteen survived. Most of the fourteen still have relatives living in Addergoole. Catherine Bourke was from Tawnagh one of the group of fourteen. She was one of nine children. Both her parents died in 1886, when she was seven years of age. She and � ve other siblings were raised by their older sister, Maria, who was then aged 16. In 1905 Catherine went to Chicago, travelling on the Etruria and arriving on Ellis

Catherine would not leave childhood sweetheart behind

Dr. Arthur Jackson Brewe was born in Galway in the 1860’s and was the eldest son of Mrs. Butler, Winter� eld House, Drumgrif� n, Galway. He was educated at preparatory school in Glencoe, and subsequently at Clongowes Wood College (1881- 1886) whence he matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin. He emigrated to New York, then Philadelphia and took a special course in Neurology. He had been on a tour of Africa and joined the Titanic at Cherbourg, having travelled through Rome, Naples, Florence and Paris. Dr. Brewe was a private physician to some of the best-known Philadelphian millionaires. He went down with the ship and his body was never recovered.

Private physician to Philadelphian millionaires

Browne and Brigid Browne (née Hegarty). He spent his formative years at Bower Convent, Athlone (1888–1891), Belvedere College (1891–1892), Christian Brothers College, Cork (1892–1893) and St. Vincent’s Castleknock College (1893–1897) where he graduated in 1897. Browne joined the Jesuits and spent two years in the novitiate at St. Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly. He then studied theology at the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin from 1911 to 1916. It was during this period that he received a present from his uncle, a ticket for the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic from Southampton, England to Queenstown, Ireland, via Cherbourg, France. During his voyage on the Titanic, Browne was befriended by an American millionaire couple who were seated at his table in the liner’s � rst-class dining saloon. They offered to pay his way to New York and back – in return for Browne spending the voyage to New York in their company. Browne telegraphed his superior requesting permission, but the reply was an unambiguous ‘GET OFF THAT SHIP – PROVINCIAL’. By a quirk of fate, the denial probably saved his life as few men in � rst class survived the sinking.Francis Browne

Island on the 16th of July. In 1910 she returned to Addergoole for a visit and met up with her childhood sweetheart, John Bourke. She had the chance to be rescued in Lifeboat 16, but would not leave her husband.


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Margaret Rice was born in Athlone on the 6th of October 1872. She moved to Canada with her family at an early age. When Margaret was 19 she met William Rice and they moved to Ireland and married there. However when their � rst-born died, they decided to move back to Canada where they settled in Montreal. Two of their children were born there – George and Frederick Thomas. In 1909 they moved again. This time they moved to Spokane, Washington and their son Eugene was born there in 1909. Just when it seemed like Margaret was getting her life back together after the death of her son her life took another major turn. Her husband William was killed in a rail accident at his place of work. Margaret got an insurance settlement of 300 pounds from the incident. She used this money to begin a new life in back in Ireland. She moved back to Athlone with her sons in 1910. In 1912 Margaret Rice decided to move again and go back to Spokane in Washington. She booked her passage on Titanic in Athlone. Her ticket number was 382652 and cost 29 pounds.She boarded Titanic at Queenstown with her � ve sons, Eugene, George Hugh, Albert, Eric and Arthur. Frederick Thomas’s name did not appear on the passenger list. Margaret was on her own on Titanic and was given no help after the collision. During the panic onboard after the iceberg was hit Bertha Mulvihill saw Margaret in the third class area. She was sitting down holding on to her son Eugene while the rest of the children were clutching at her skirt. The entire family died onboard the Titanic that night. Margaret’s body was recovered by the Cable ship the Mackay and Bennett and was entered as recovery No.12. She was estimated to be around forty years of age. She was wearing her wedding ring and had a total of 14 pounds in her pockets and also had 3 pounds in gold. She was identi� ed as being Catholic because of her rosary beads.

The most important item on her that was used to identify her was a box of pills. She had these prescribed to her on April the 9th 1912. The pills were purchased at a pharmacist’s in Church Street, Athlone. Another item used for her identi� cation was her shoes, which said ‘Parson’s of Athlone’ on them. She was fully identi� ed on September the 25th 1912. She is buried at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

26-year-old Julia Barry from Farranfore, Co. Kerry had spent several years working as a housekeeper in New York city when she returned to Kerry to visit her family. She had been due to return to the United States on another boat, The Celtic, but, prompted by the prospect of an earlier arrival in the US and a chance to experience the Titanic, she changed her plans. Julia purchased a third class ticket and boarded the Titanic in Queenstown, having bid farewell to her relations. The

last her family ever heard of her was a letter she sent to her brother in New York explaining her change of plans and asking him to meet her at the pier in New York. Instead of meeting his sister, Edward Barry would meet the ambulance ship, Carpathia. Exactly how Julia Barry met her end aboard the Titanic is unknown. None of her � ve-strong party made it off the ship and her body was never recovered.

Young Kerry woman was due to travel on another boat

Catherine Walsh from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary was actually married but had to pretend that she was single in order to get a job in the luxury liner, Titanic. She perished when Titanic sank on her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. Her body was never recovered. Catherine, had married John Roche in 1897 and moved to London. They had a daughter, Kathleen, born in 1908. Catherine had wanted to save enough money for the family to move to the US and her projected Titanic earnings were a key part of this plan. She had to pretend that she was single in order to secure the work. Catherine’s duty station, on the liner’s F deck, meant that she was close to where the lifeboats loaded passengers; however she had clearly decided to stay at her post. Catherine is remembered by a passenger, Selina Rogers: “We had a very nice stewardess…..Miss Walsh. I was feeling very sick. The stewardess was very kind and brought me a glass of milk.” Catherine’s now orphaned daughter, Kathleen Roche, was supported after her mother’s death, until she was 19, by small payments from the Titanic Victims Relief Fund. She was extremely reluctant ever to discuss the Titanic before her own death in 2001.

Married woman had to pretend she was single to get job on Titanic

Tragic fate of Athlone woman and her childrenchildren


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

William O’Loughlin was born and grew up on what is now Ashe Street in Tralee. In 1872 having completed his studies in medicine in Dublin and at the age of 21, he decided to pursue a career at sea. He would spend the next forty years of his life serving as a doctor on a range of ships and liners eventually rising to the position of Dean of Medicine for the White Star Line, the company that owned the Titanic. When the Titanic was launched in 1912, and at the age of 62, Dr O’Loughlin was appointed as the Titanic’s chief surgeon, a prestigious position that brought him into contact with many of the most famous and wealthy passengers on the liner. Dr William O’Loughlin, who had always said he wished to be buried at sea, never made it off the Titanic. He was last seen arm in arm with his two assistants quietly waiting for the mighty liner to plunge into the depths.

Neal McNamee (27), was born in Ruskey, Convoy, Co. Donegal on 29th of August, 1884, son of William McNamee, farm labourer and Catherine (nee Gordon). Like so many young Donegal

people, he took the emigration trail to England to escape the poverty of Ireland. He secured employment as Provisions Manager with Bournemouth and Salisbury based Liptons Tea, where he married

Miss Ellen Mary Mockler was born on 1st of April 1889 in the village of Currafarry in County Galway. She was the daughter of Andrew Mockler and Catherine Mitchell. She had one brother and two sisters. Her sisters, Bridget and Margaret, were already living in New York City and it was there Ellen was going. She travelled in the group from Caltra parish in County Galway which were led by Martin Gallagher, and included Thomas Kilgannon, Tom Smyth and Margaret Mannion. She boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as a third class passenger (ticket number 330980, £7, 17s, 7d). On the night of the sinking Ellen claimed that many steerage passengers were staying

below decks, and that she would have done the same if it had not been for three Irish men that she was travelling with, who told her to ‘stay put’. She also remembered that not one of the crew seemed particularly helpful, and no-one told them what to do or where to go and everybody just milled round aimlessly. Both Ellen Mockler and Margaret Mannion were rescued in Lifeboat 16, which Helen described as being only partially full. In years after the disaster Ellen Mockler lived in New York City where she worked for the National Biscuit Company. In 1917 she was ordained into an order of nuns, the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse and moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. At ordination she

took the name Sister Mary Patricia. In Worcester, Sister Mary Patricia taught in schools and later worked an administrator in the Catholic School Diocese. She eventually entered a retired nuns convent where she died on 1st of April 1984, her 95th birthday. She was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Leicester, Massachusetts. One of her former pupils, now a nun herself, remembered Sister Mary Patricia often talking about the Titanic disaster in the classroom. She particularly remembered “hearing chickens and hens” as she headed up to the boat deck, and how, when she reached the boat deck, “several of her friends, including Martin Gallagher, fell to their knees in prayer and recited the rosary.”

Crew member saved Bridget’s life Bridget Delia Bradley was born in Ballyhulla just over the Cork/Kerry border, near Ballydesmond, or Kingwilliamstown as it was then called. The � fth oldest of nine children, 22-year-old Bridget Bradley had planned to travel to the US to start a new life and escape the poverty of her birthplace. She paid £17 and 14 shillings for a third class ticket and boarded the Titanic with four companions at Queenstown on Thursday, April 11th, 1912. When the Titanic began to sink, Bridget Bradley was one of the few lucky steerage passengers who made it to a lifeboat and survived, though witnesses said later that her fate could have been very different. As her lifeboat was being lowered into the water she suffered an attack of panic and, believing the Titanic would be safer, she attempted to climb up the ropes back onto the sinking liner. Her life was only saved after one of the crew dragged her off the rope and back into the lifeboat. Bridget Bradley eventually made it to Ontario in Canada where she found work and married, dying in 1956 – 44 years after her Titanic ordeal.

Commodore Surgeon William Francis N. O’Loughlin

Titanic’s Chief Surgeon always wanted to be buried at sea

Newly-weds were set for new life in New York

Neal McNamee and his young Bride Eileen O’Leary

Titanic survivor said lifeboat ‘only partially full’

Plymouth born, 19- year-old Eileen O’Leary. After a period working for Lipton’s, Neal was offered a position at Lipton Ltd in America. Sir Thomas Lipton himself wrote a letter of introduction to his General Manager in New York. The newly-weds boarded the vessel at Southampton as third class passengers on the 10th of April. The young couple perished in the sinking. Neal was never recovered. Eileen’s body was found. She was wrapped in her brown velvet coat, with turquoise and diamond wedding rings, steerage ticket, identity papers and one shilling and elevenpence in her small purse. Eileen was buried at sea on Monday the 22nd of April.


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Titanic Belfast – an unbelievable, unmissable experience. Located in the heart of Belfast, right beside the historic site of this world famous ship’s construction, Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic Visitor Experience. Housed in an iconic, six-� oor building, this state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. Titanic Belfast relives this world-famous story using contemporary interactive technology, special effects, and even a thrilling shipyard ride where you will hear the sound of riveting and experience the smells of melting steel as you journey through what it was like to be a shipyard worker in Belfast more than 100 years ago. Titanic Belfast’s nine galleries begin with Boom Town Belfast and journey through to The Arrol Gantry & Shipyard Ride, The Launch, The Fit-Out, The Maiden Voyage, The Sinking, The Aftermath, Myths & Legends, and Titanic Beneath. The breath-taking Titanic Belfast building and visitor experience was launched on March 31, 2012, and in its � rst month, opened

its doors to more than 100,000 visitors from more than 20 countries. In addition to nine galleries detailing one of history’s greatest stories, Titanic Belfast’s giant atrium, Titanic Store, Bistro 401, The Galley Café, spectular Plaza and the mammoth slipways on which Titanic and her sister ship, Olympic, were built, the attraction also offers � rst class conference and banqueting suites. Located on the 5th and 6th � oors, the Titanic Suites comprise an unparalleled range of private function rooms for any occasion, offering elegant surroundings in a unique design based on Titanic’s interiors. These rooms, the largest of which can host a banquet for 1000 guests, offer luxury facilities for any function. The architecturally stunning venue is the perfect location for a wide range of events ranging from large receptions and gala dinners to conferences of all sizes, weddings and small, intimate functions.The facilities are fully-licensed and our highly skilled chefs use only the � nest produce to create menus tailored to each event. The opulent spaces at Titanic Belfast provide an outstanding conference and banqueting venue for Northern Ireland.

James Blaney came from a family of blacksmiths who had moved to Ballycastle from Rasharkin, in County Antrim. He was one of a family of six, four sisters and a brother. From the late 1890’s the family headed to the New England states of America, particularly the city of Boston, the eldest sister, Mary Ann making frequent trips across the Atlantic to visit her family. James never joined the rest of the family in the United States. He joined the Royal Navy and later the British army and his adventures took him to Africa, Australia and South America. He arrived back in London in early 1912 and signed up for a White Star crossing from Southampton to New York on the

maiden voyage of RMS Titanic. James. at this time 27 years old, boarded the ship at Southampton and because he gave his address as the sailor’s home there, a connection with Ireland was not immediately made. In fact, his name does not appear on the Titanic Memorial in Belfast. By 1909, the remaining Blaney family had left Ballycastle for America so perhaps there was no-one to inform the authorities of James’s position on Titanic. James did not survive and his body was never recovered. Further confusion was caused by the misspelling of his name at the American inquiry, which listed him as Blancey.

Jeremiah Burke was just 19 when he boarded the boat in Cobh, known then as Queenstown, in Co. Cork to set sail for America but perished in the disaster along with 1,521 other passengers and crew members. However at some point on the trip before the sinking Burke, from near Glanmire in Cork, had written a note and put it in a bottle, throwing it overboard. The bottle – with the note still intact inside – turned up a year later… on the coastline at

Message in a bottle:‘From Titanic. Goodbye all’

Glanmire. It was passed on to his grieving relatives. The note was headed with the date 10/4/1912 – four days before the ship sank. It had a simple message: “From Titanic. Goodbye all. Burke of Glanmire, Cork.”

James Blaney’s story

Visitors to the former Harland and Wolff shipyard of� ces in Belfast listen intently as their guide Susie Millar (pictured below) brings them back 100 years and relates the story of two pennies handed down by her great grandfather. Tommy Millar was among thousands of skilled workers who built the Titanic. It was this building that Tommy entered in 1912 looking for a reference to join the White Star Line as an assistant deck engineer. When he boarded the ill-fated Titanic sailing from Southampton, it was only his second trip as a crewman. He was among the almost 1600 victims who died when the liner hit an iceberg and sank. His death, aged 33, left his two young sons orphaned. Before he left Belfast, he had given the sons two new pennies, telling them: ¨don’t spend those until I see you again.¨ His younger son kept those pennies all his life before in turn passing them to his son. Now another generation of the Millar family continues the maritime connection. Former UTV news reporter Susie heads Titanic Tours, bringing visitors through the former shipyard area, including the drawing of� ces where the plans for the ships were drafted.

Pennies from Heaven By Michael

Fisher

Titanic Belfast – an unbelievable, unmissableexperience


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Helping to save lives that might be lost through suicide has been an ongoing project now for Athlone and Roscommon Lions Clubs since 2005, and – as if to prove their long-term commitment to this noble cause – the two clubs recently unveiled a stunning new project to make a permanent contribution to improving mental health supports in the midlands and the west. The name of Pieta House has been synonymous with saving lives on this island for many years. Initially based in Lucan, County Dublin, the driving force behind these fantastic referral centres for mental health care is Joan Freeman – and she has been spreading her wings with new bases in Limerick and North Dublin in recent times. The magic of Pieta House is the unique nature of the counselling care it provides to people suffering with mental health dif� culties. Pieta can offer up to 12 sessions to somebody who requires the professional support of a psychotherapist – and all of this without even the need for a referral from a GP. Athlone and Roscommon Lions have already been described as “heroically far-sighted” with their investment in this crucial � eld. With more than 600 people per year losing their lives through suicide in Ireland, the two clubs decided � ve years ago this was the key priority in their areas and have jointly sponsored more than 20 ASIST (applied suicide intervention skills training) courses in Athlone Institute of Technology and rural centres throughout Roscommon. When Roscommon Lion Ciaran Mullooly heard there was a major move afoot to set up Pieta House West – a new centre based in Tuam, County Galway with outreach facilities in Athlone, Roscommon and throughout Galway and Mayo – he immediately asked the two clubs to come on board. Working with Shane O’Brien, the Lions International Young Ambassador of Europe winner (2009) and a local committee, Ciaran helped establish negotiations between Athlone Lions Club and the American multi-national ‘Alkermes’ group – new owners of the Elan Pharmaceutical Plant in Athlone.Alkermes has a corporate track record of supporting community projects of this importance and within weeks Angela Madden and Michael McDonnell of Athlone Lions Club had pitched to the company for a major corporate sponsorship deal for the new Pieta House project. The results of all the hard groundwork carried out by Angela, Michael and Ciaran was a face to face meeting with Joan Freeman and senior Alkermes personnel

Members of Athlone and Roscommon Lions Clubs pictured at the Custume Military Barracks in Athlone recently after confi rmation of the new sponsorship deal with Alkermes co-ordinated for the Pieta House West suicide prevention project. Picture shows (left to right) Ciaran Mullooly (Roscommon Lions Club), Tom Ryan (Alkermes), Brigadier General Ger Aherne (Defence Forces), Joan Freeman (Pieta House), Angela Madden (Athlone Lions Club), Fidelma Kearns (Alkermes) and Michael McDonnell (President of Athlone Lions Club). The sponsorship deal is the largest ever signed up by a Lions Club in Ireland.at the plant in Athlone a few months ago followed by the major announcement recently that Alkermes is now on board to work with the two Lions Clubs and the Pieta House West committee in a new three-year deal that is going to make the dream of Pieta House West become a reality. While Alkermes has refused to disclose the amount it has committed it now understood to be the largest every single sponsorship deal achieved by a Lions club on the island of Ireland or anywhere in the United Kingdom. It is expected to cost in the region of €200,000 to build the new Pieta House facility, which will be based in Tuam, and once it is up and running it will cost €250,000 to run so the Alkermes deal is hugely signi� cant. It is expected that Athlone will be served by the � rst outreach facility from the Tuam of� ce but every Lions club in the West should note that, with their help, an outreach centre could also come their way in the Autumn of 2012. The announcement of the funding commitment was made at the launch of the Defence Forces Gala Concert, held in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on June 7 and the main benefactor of which was Pieta House. “Last March at Convention in Kilkenny I told Lions from all over the country that this sort of a substantial deal was possible when we pulled our weight as Lions” Ciaran Mullooly said at the launch, “now Lions in Athlone and Roscommon are showing the way – unveiling a six-� gure sponsorship deal that will help to save lives – and that’s the real meaning for me of being a Lion.”Footnote: In Autumn 2012 Lions clubs throughout the West will be asked to consider supporting the establishment of a Pieta House West ‘Outreach’ Centre in

the following areas: Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, Belmullet, Claremorris, Portumna, Loughrea, Tuam, Galway City, Corrib, Ballinasloe. For more details, email [email protected]

Pieta House, The Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide, of� cially opened its doors in January 2006. 6 years later, they have seen and helped nearly 4,000 people, and opened up two Outreach Centres, and two other Centres of Excellence in both Dublin and Limerick. About 8 years ago, Joan Freeman, a practising psychologist, closed down her own counselling business and dedicated her time to � nding out how she could help people who were suicidal – what would be bene� cial to them and help them get through their dark time. After three years of research, she opened up Pieta House in Lucan, Co. Dublin which quickly became a respected and recognised service for those who were suicidal. Having counselled many people in the past who were self-harming, Joan realised that this was a topic never discussed and rarely understood, and she decided to also help people with this debilitating issue. In � ve years, Pieta House has grown to almost 40 therapists and administration staff, and the demand for their service hasn’t let up. In January 2011 they opened up two new Centres – one in Ballyfermot and one in Limerick. As 80% of their income comes from fundraising events, they rely heavily on the support and encouragement of volunteers and Friends of Pieta – and that’s why Athlone and Roscommon Lions are supporting them.

Athlone and Roscommon Lions seal historic deal for suicide prevention centre Pieta House West

About Pieta House West


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I absolutely love this story about Lion Jerry Gingery, an American who is a member of the Dwight Illinois Lions. To take readers out of their suspense, let’s cut to the chase! Jerry has not missed a single Lions Club meeting in 19 years. That’s pretty impressive on its own. Quite a record, I hear you say. Then you ponder and you ask, does he never take holidays? He does – but it doesn’t affect his attendance record! Because the fascinating fact about Lion Jerry is that he is the embodiment of the not-unknown Lions practise of attending meetings of other clubs, wherever you happen to be in the world. In a nutshell, Gerry makes its his business to attend a local Lions Club meeting wherever he happens to be in the world. Speaking to Pride of the Lions magazine after a visit to Northern Ireland, Jerry said: “I am a loyal Lion and true to my attendance record. I truly believe that things get done by those who show up. I have perfect (actual physical) attendance for 19 years and

The story of the 43rd District Convention began about two and a half years ago. Kilkenny Lions Club decided to bid for the 2011 Convention. However Howth Sutton Lions were chosen to host the 42nd District Convention. We in Kilkenny then reapplied for this year’s Convention and were successful at

Re� ections on 43rd District Convention Re� ections on 43rd District Convention Clontarf Castle in March 2011. Every one of the previous Convention Chairmen organised the event in their own particular way. The structures put in place this year included, in my opinion, key elements for the organisation of a successful Convention. The Secretary handled all reservations and correspondence. The Treasurer was responsible for budget and all � nancial transactions. The PRO was responsible for all aspects of promoting the event, including maximising exposure in the press, etc. The following sub-committees were formed…. Host Night & DG’s Ball: This sub-committee organised the functions including menus, entertainment, bands, etc. Welcome: The Welcome sub-committee was responsible for Reception, Convention

packs, etc. Sponsorship: The Sponsorship sub-committee dealt with advertising for the booklet, pre-dinner reception, gifts for attendees, etc. Other committees dealt with issues like printing, making arrangements for partners, etc. The Convention Chairman’s responsibilities extended to overseeing each function of the overall committee and sub-committees in organising the following: Civic Reception, Cabinet Meeting, Cabinet Reception and Guest Speaker. I believe that appointing the people best suited for each of the key elements set out above, is the secret to ensuring a successful Convention. Did we succeed? Those who attended are the only people who can answer that question!

By Paddy Murray, Convention Chairman 2012

her way to becoming Leo President and Leo of the year. She then became a Streator Lion and went on to actually become the Leo advisor. She is now the current President of the Streator Lions. Lion Jerry was suitably captivated by his visit. “In closing, I want to tell you how wonderful it was to meet the good people of the Banbridge Lions Club and people of Northern Ireland as a

whole. I was so amazed at the natural beauty of your country and how a person can feel so at one with the land. “Being a singer/songwriter, the whole experience inspired me enough to write a song about it. It is my wish to return someday and to perform it live to your Club. I also want to thank you for my � rst ever pint of Guinness…I shall return for another!”

District Governor Sean Sandford and Convention Chairman Paddy Murray pictured at District Convention.

Banbridge Lions Club members with special guest Lion Jerry Gingery from the USA. Jerry travels extensively but hasn’t missed a Lions Club meeting in 18 years. Wherever he is he attends Lions meetings in the area. He attended one of our meetings in October 2011.

Fascinating fact about Lion JerryBy Paul Healy counting!”

When Jerry was in Northern Ireland late last year he knew he had to – wanted to – attend a Lions Club meeting. After all, he never misses one. That’s how he ended up attending a meting of Banbridge Lions Club. “My wife Leslie is very much responsible for my attendance record and came up with the idea of our visit to Banbridge Lions Club meeting,” he says. “I want to thank Banbridge for helping to keep the streak alive by inviting my wife and I to your meeting….” A singer/songwriter, Jerry is Past-President of the Streator, Illinois Lions and current member of the Dwight, Illinois Lions. Both clubs are in district 1-K in the United States. District 1 is the birthplace of Lions International. “The Streator club awarded me the Melvin Jones Fellow honours for my work with the Leo Club which I founded and maintained for approximately ten years. The achievement, for which I am most proud, was mentoring and guiding a troubled and timid young Leo girl. I watched her work


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

The inaugural Carrickmacross Lions Club North East Cycle Challenge took place on Sunday 6th May, 2012 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 9.30 am 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 of� cial 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 10 am and took them on a � at 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 of� cial 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 � rst 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 � xture 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, the volunteers who helped out on the day and 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.

300 cyclists complete North East 300 cyclists complete North East Cycle Challenge for Alzheimer’s supportCycle Challenge for Alzheimer’s support

North East Cycle Challenge gets underway.

The inaugural Carrickmacross Lions Club North East Cycle Challenge took place on Sunday 6th May, 2012


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The Carrigaline & District Lions Club held the � rst Pink-a-Porter Fashion Show in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland. The fashion show was held in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thursday the 8th of March (2012) and raised almost €8,000 Upon arrival guests were treated to a complimentary drinks reception followed by music on the night from The Fallen Drakes, one of Ireland’s most promising new bands and winners of the RTE Breakthrough Award 2011. The Fallen Drakes made history in March 2011 by becoming one of Ireland’s � rst unsigned bands to play Dublin’s O2 Arena in front of 13,000 people when they supported The Commitments on their sell-out reunion show. Guests on the night had the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes sponsored by local businesses in Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

Pictured at the launch of the Pink-a-Porter Fashion Show organised by the Carrigaline & District Lions Club in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland, were from left, Catherine O’Callaghan, Show Co-Organiser; John Doran, Lions Club President; John Moore, Proprietor of Moore’s Jewellers (main sponsors) and Jill O’Reilly, Show Co-Organiser. Picture: Adrian O’Herlihy.

Carrigaline Fashion Show Carrigaline Fashion Show aids Breast Cancer Irelandaids Breast Cancer Ireland

Samatha McGregor from Breast Cancer Ireland and Hilary Sullivan from Arc House Support Centre, pictured (front) receiving the proceeds from the Carrigaline & District Lions Club ‘Pink-A-Porter’ Fashion Show. Back, left to right: James O’Sullivan, Carrigaline Lions; Catherine O’Callaghan, Fashion Show Committee; Sean Sandford, District Governor, Lions Clubs of Ireland; John Doran, President, Carrigaline Lions; Jill O’Reilly, Fashion Show Committee Chairperson; Sheila Meade, Moore’s Jewellers (show sponsors) and Mark Ginn, Fashion Show Committee. Picture: Adrian O’Herlihy.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

As part of Wexford Borough Council Tidy Town volunteer scheme, in January 2011, Wexford Lions Club was asked if we would take on a maintenance project in the town. We were offered a choice of a few prominent sites and we gladly accepted the Selskar Abbey project. Selskar Abbey’s foundation goes back to 1190 at least, when a monastery was established by Alexander Roche, a returned Crusader from Christian campaigns in The Holy Land. There previously stood an old church dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. There is some evidence of pre-Christian pagan happenings on the site but little of this is known. During the Protestant Reformation Henry VIII of England suppressed the monasteries and Cromwell � nally destroyed it in 1649. A Protestant church was built on the grounds in 1818 and was in service up to the 1960’s. Due to falling numbers, the church closed and to avoid payment of rates, the roof was removed and the church soon became a ruin. The property was subsequently endowed to the Borough Council. The Council had in mind for Wexford Lions Club to keep the Abbey tidy and litter-free, but on re� ection the club felt that we could do a lot more. We set about a programme of repair and research and documentation and collating of existing data relating to the burials in these historic grounds. Under close guidance of conservation experts we set about the removal of feral sycamore growth, spraying of pathway weeds, tree pruning and repainting of entrance iron gates and railings. A dedicated group collated burial data, grid referenced graves, recorded all grave stone writings and photographed each grave stone or marker. With an increasing interest in genealogical research, the information recorded by Wexford Lions Club is invaluable to any person researching their family tree in Wexford. Many well-known Wexford families are interred in Selskar Abbey, amongst them, Dorcas Catherine McGee, mother of Thomas Darcy McGee, one of Canada’s founding fathers. We have made application for grant assistance for professional grave railing repairs/replacements, creation and erection of two new information notice boards, stone grave surrounds repairs and wall lintel repairs. In consultation with the Borough Council we will work to see the Abbey brought back to its former glory and make it open to townspeople and tourists alike. The year 2012 promises to be a busy one for us and one in which Wexford Lions will continue serving the community.* Further information relating to burial data is available fromwww.wexfordlionsclub.ie

Wexford Borough Council Wexford Borough Council Tidy Town projectTidy Town project

January 2011 - Our fi rst

day clearing the rubbish.

Post clean up January 2011.

Selskar teabreak August 2011.

Past President Peter Hussey with his son Simon collecting data from gravestones.


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Eggs-citing times in RoscreaEggs-citing times in RoscreaAt Easter Roscrea Lions Club held a novel Creme Egg Race down the escalator in Tesco! The event drew a large crowd and raised much-needed funds. In May Roscrea Lions Club held their 43rd (!!) Annual Charity Walk at Villa Park, a new soccer training complex to which the club donated large funds some years ago. Walkers took to the training track and completed a number of circuits. In other walks we used local quiet country roads. Roscrea Lions Club is active since its charter in 1968 and currently has 30 members. President is Jim Dwyer while president-elect is Maurice Murphy. Every little helps….the Creme Egg Race is underway in Tesco!

Walking the Walk….progressive Roscrea Lions Club. The Creme Egg Race is formally launched.

Cork Lions Club lost its longest-serving member early in 2012 with the untimely death of Lion Tom Maloney (RIP). Tom served as Club President in 1970/71. When the club was formed in 1957 (and chartered in 1958) Lion Tom, then aged 24, joined. As a proud Cavan man, who never lost his love for his native county, Tom had arrived in Cork through his travel and car hire business. He served the club and the community in Cork for fi fty four years, covering seven decades from the fi fties to this decade. Cork city society in the fi fties was a completely different one to today and the new club was viewed with not only suspicion but also a certain amount of antagonism. A Lions Club was a new concept in a conservative city. It brought changes with the objectives being a non-sectarian, non-political organisation with membership open to all. Lion Tom and his co-pioneers began

to display the Code of Ethics to the highest level with service projects which caught the public imagination. Tom put a service project in place in which patients in St. Ann’s Hospital were collected by members and driven to and from Dun Mhuire in the Grand Parade for a Ceili and Old Time Dance once a week, with voluntary musicians and singers. It became very popular until changes in policy for special needs patients came about in the eighties. Around the same time, one of his earliest projects saw Tom organising days at the seaside during the summer for special needs children (during the sixties and into the seventies). Lion Tom was always actively involved in club projects and had a deserved reputation for thinking ‘outside the box’. Among his successful ideas were the Casino Nights and the Auctions he organised in his own house as fund-raising activities. Recently,

he planned and put a Static Collection in place in most of the retail shop outlets around the city centre. It has raised thousands of euros for the club and refl ected his commitment to service and the club. The club honoured Lion Tom with a Melvin Jones Fellowship in recognition of this continuing active involvement in advancing the club’s profi le in Cork. He provided, at no cost to the club, a premises for the Christmas Food Appeal, where the food could be stored, the hampers made and the delivery co-ordinated every Christmas for all the years since the Food Appeal began. Last October (2011), he proposed a Pop Up Charity Shop instead of an Auction for house contents donated to him for the club. This ran for three months with full access, lighting and heating free of charge in a prime city centre location, and was extremely successful in fund-raising terms

An Appreciation: Tom Maloney

Tribute to Tom Maloney, M.J.F., Charter Member and Past President, Cork Lions Club (RIP)

but also in profi le raising in our community. Tom was very proud of his Melvin Jones Fellowship because of the recognition by his own Lions Club. The recognition by President Mary McAleese of Lion Tom and his brother P.D.G. Bill Maloney, honouring their combined hundred years serving their community, was the ultimate accolade he could have wished for, but well deserved at a time when we all knew he was fi ghting his ilness with great courage. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Maisie, his family and P.D.G. Bill on the loss of a great Lion.

Former President Mary McAleese is pictured with Tom Maloney.


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Larne Lions Club which was sponsored by Ballymena Lions Club was chartered on the 20th October 1970 and held its � rst meeting in the Kings Arms Hotel at which 33 members were in attendance, two of which are still members to this day. The � rst president of the club was George Thompson who became District Governer for 1975/76. Over the years members of the club have held the positions of Zone and Region Chairman and have also served on Council. Since the club was formed it has been involved in many different activities, ranging from garden fetes to taking part in civic week by entering a � oat, holding a 24-hour pool marathon, street collections, peace poster and talking newspaper. The latter we record every three months as we do this project along with Ballyclare and Carrickfergus Lions Clubs. We also collect old spectacles to send to Vision Aid. To date we have dispatched over 40,000 pairs and we help to sponsor Larne Youth Football who represented Larne Lions in the youth football competitions for a few years. They made it through to the � nal in 1999, but unfortunately were defeated. Until recently we distributed meals on wheels. Our main activity and where most of our effort and time goes is in the running and upkeep of our holiday home, Carnfunnock House, set in the grounds of Carnfunnock Country Park on the Coast Road outside Larne. The house was on the estate of Lord and Lady Dixon and was left to Larne Borough Council. In 1975 Larne Lions approached the council with the idea of running it as a holiday home for those in society who, for

one reason or another, could not take a break or holiday. Larne Borough Council agreed to lease the house to Larne Lions at a nominal rent for a period of 9 years, with the condition that the upkeep and maintenance of the house was the responsibility of the Larne Lions. The lease was duly signed and since that time many groups and organisations have bene� ted from staying in the house. Some of the groups have been coming every year since the house � rst opened and still look forward to their visits. Over the years we have had many different groups and people stay with us. One of our most enjoyable visits was when we worked with Fleetwood and Cleveleys and Stranraer Lions to bring a group of children from Chernobyl over for a short holiday. This in turn led to several more visits from different groups of children in the same area. Their stay made an especially deep impression on our members as the children had never seen the sea, had their own bed or

the freedom to wander around the country park and see so many green areas. The house has also been used by Belfast City Hospital to bring long-stay patients out of the hospital environment for short stays, bringing their own hospital bed and any necessary equipment. Doctors and nurses from Number 1 hospital in Minsk, Belarus who were training in Belfast and could not afford to pay for accommodation stayed at the house during their stay. The club feels that this facility is not widely known about throughout 105l and would encourage other clubs to make its availability known to appropriate groups. The house consists of accommodation for 19 people with 5 twin rooms, one 3 bedroom, and a 7 bed dormitory, 2 large lounges, 3 bathrooms, one of which is disabled friendly, large kitchen, dining room and a small pantry, oil � red central heating and double glazed windows. The house has a beautiful setting, overlooking the Irish Sea towards the Mull of Kintyre and Ailsa Craig. One can sit and watch the ferries leaving Larne and heading to Scotland. Over the years other Lions Clubs have helped bring the house up to its present standard, but as we do not charge for the use of the house – although various groups do make a donation any time they stay – it is an uphill battle to keep on top of everything and keep the project going. Larne Council over the years has invested a lot of money in the park, so there is a lot to do and see when staying at the house. There is a beautiful walled garden, an ampitheatre with band concerts during the summer. There are walks and viewing points as well as a maze and a display of sun dials. There is also a small shop and café in the grounds. At present major improvements are required to allow the house to be used in comfort and safety and to bring it up to compliance standards and � t for 21st Century needs – therefore the club will need all the help and support available to achieve this goal and keep this worthwhile and rewarding project running for many more years.

Carnfunnock House, Larne

Lions Holiday Home.

Carnfunnock House – a project Carnfunnock House – a project that has brought joy to many that has brought joy to many

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Clonmel Lady Lions and ‘Amigos’ outside Unique Boutique.

Pictured at a Mayoral Reception to honour Clonmel Lions were (back): Cllrs. Gabrielle Egan, Siobhan Ambrose and Joe Leahy; Front: Lion Mary Feeney, Lion President Fiona Rea, Mayor Darren Ryan and Lion Pascal Mansfi eld.

Clonmel were honoured with the title of Club of the Year by DG Sean Sandford at the Convention in March 2012. It gave the Lions in Clonmel a real boost to be recognised for the work they have been doing for the past 45 years in the area. We are a vibrant, interested, growing club who are well-known for being a positive force in Clonmel. Our work in the town has also recently been recognised by the Borough Council when we were invited to a Mayoral Reception in our honour in the Town Hall. As with all clubs our endeavours cover a wide and varying range. Over the year we have tea parties for our senior citizens, visit the elderly/alzheimers patients in St. Anthonys, provide transport for the Dolphin Swimming Club for special needs, help the Women’s Refuge, mother and toddler groups and many other projects in the area around Clonmel. We organise diabetes screening and suicide awareness courses. We also bring children from Chernobyl on an outing to Fota Island every year which is a great day out for them. Our Christmas Food appeal is always hugely supported by the local community which is testament to our work in the area. There was enough food donated last Christmas to make up more than 300 hampers. To raise money we have book sales, golf classic, bucket collection and

There was a buzz around Marketplace in Clonmel on the 21st of April with the ‘For One Day Only’ designer dress shop creating

a stir among the ladies of Clonmel. Superquin kindly let us use a small premises beside their shop and Lions’

Clonmel – ‘Club of the Year 2012’Clonmel – ‘Club of the Year 2012’

our latest venture which was a great success was our one day only ‘unique boutique’ ladies fashion outlet. Clonmel Lions are here to stay. Our club is growing and all our members play an active part in serving the community. At this stage we have several members who are second generation and it is wonderful to see the spirit of Lionism being handed down through families.

We are delighted that the work that has been done by the club members both now and in the past has been recognised by District Governor Sean and, as with all Lions, we trust that we will be able to continue this long into the future. Thank you Sean.

– Fiona Rea,President

members got friends/family to donate good (mostly designer) clothes to sell at a snip of the original price. Everything was priced to go. In addition, if you spent over ten euro you got a free manicure there and then. We also had the services of a stylist on the day to help the ladies co-ordinate their out� ts. Over €2,100 was raised in what was a fun day with no costs incurred by the club. The shop did more than make money for Clonmel Lions though. It also brought footfall to an area of the town which is seeing the effects of the recession and there was a great atmosphere around all day. The cafe nearby gained business also as ladies went in and out for coffee during the day in between deciding which bargains they would purchase from us. There was a good bit of work involved in organising the shop but the effort was well worth it. We had a super day out, made some money for the club, and people are asking us when are we having the next one. Christmas is looking promising.....!

A ‘Unique Boutique’ in Clonmel


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PRIDE OF THE LI NS

Ardal O’Hanlon seems to be in good humour – and well he might be. His latest ‘stand-up’ tour will commence the night after this interview is conducted (in early May). I say stand-up, he says “my bi-annual state of the nation address.” In person, on the ‘phone that is, he seems as nice as one imagines he is – if you know what I mean. He is Ardal O’Hanlon, comedian, actor, writer. That’s the public persona. And of course few references to him in the media are made without adding that he is son of former Fianna Fail Minister Rory O’Hanlon. His writing has been well received (Ardal’s, not Rory’s). His stand-up comedy has a big following. If you haven’t read his books or seen his stand-up routine, there’s one other possible recognition factor. Two words. Father Dougal. I don’t see an awful lot of point in talking about the Fr. Ted/Fr. Dougal phenomenon. Too many years have gone by and I have a slight fear that Fr. Dougal, I mean Ardal, will slam the ‘phone down if one more journalist asks him one more question about THAT programme. We start instead in the present – and I ask him about his new stand-up show. “I suppose it’s my bi-annual state of the nation address….I talk about all that’s wrong with the world and my life also. It’s like venting your spleen, it’s the observations you’ve picked up about family, relationships, sex and so on.” I ask if it’s an entirely new show or if a link remains with previous routines. “Well, I’ve never started out one morning and said ‘I’ll write a whole new show about gardening’ or something…..your concerns

with the late Dermot Morgan. O’Hanlon mentions that he has been introducing Laurel & Hardy to his children, passing his love for the father � gures of comedy on to a new generation. He lives in Dublin with his wife Melanie and their children, Emily (14), Rebecca (12) and Redmond (10). He spends a lot of time in the UK, but Dublin is home. In Ardal’s view there is no major difference between UK and Irish audiences. “Culturally we’re quite similar, obviously you couldn’t really mention an Irish politician to an audience in England, but we have the same cultural references.” He doesn’t seem nervous about his new tour, in fact he seems eager to get started. He tries out his new material on his wife, but not formally – “no, I follow her around the kitchen, tugging at her skirt saying ‘listen to me’” he quips. Sometimes he’ll try out the new material in one of the comedy clubs in Dublin. When his career started, he was more into “surreal” comedy. In those days he’d deliver one-liners, something which was “a defence mechanism.” He knew the one-liners were a nice punchline all wrapped up and ready to go. But that approach was

‘Pride of the Lions’ Editor Paul Healy caught up with comedian and actor Ardal O’Hanlon during the summer as he commenced a nationwide stand-up tour….

‘Comedy? It’s a way of life, a labour of love. I ‘Comedy? It’s a way of life, a labour of love. I like mining my own head for comic material!’like mining my own head for comic material!’

‘He’s a big fan of Laurel and Hardy and felt there was ‘a bit of Laurel and Hardy going on’ in his on-screen relationship in Fr. Ted with the late Dermot Morgan’

change over time but I think the starting point of any new show is the high-point of the last show! You � nd out what works over time and you stick with it.” He writes all his own material and has to “work very hard at it.” He writes from about ten in the morning to � ve in the evening any day he’s at home. “I shouldn’t use the word ‘work’…..it’s a way of life, it’s a labour of love. I like mining my own head (for comic material).” His comic in� uences are legends of the entertainment world. As a kid in County Monaghan he loved Laurel and Hardy, Abbot & Costello and The Marx Brothers. Later he was into Blackadder, The Young Ones, Steve Martin and Fawlty Towers. He’s a big fan of Laurel and Hardy and felt there was ‘a bit of Laurel and Hardy going on’ in his on-screen relationship in Fr. Ted

limiting, and as he got more con� dent his comedy changed and he began to tell real stories. Neither he nor his audiences have looked back since! His tour ran from early May to early June (12 nights) and the scheduling of the closing date may have been linked to the start of the Euro 2012 Soccer Championships. He’s a huge soccer fan and con� rmed when I spoke to him that he would be travelling to Poland for Ireland’s game against Italy. He was con� dent that Ireland could emerge from their group. Comedians seem to be very much ‘in’ in Ireland and the UK at present and there is no doubt that the popularity of television ‘panel’ shows like ‘Mock The Week’, ‘Would I Lie to You’ and the ever-enduring ‘Have I got News for You’ – amongst others –have been a great boost for both up and coming and established ‘comics.’ I haven’t seen O’Hanlon guest on many of these shows however and ask him if he has an aversion to them. “Actually I do have an aversion to them. I only do them occasionally, basically to test my mettle.” It’s widely-known that they are largely

Ardal O’Hanlon….talks about all that’s wrong with the world!

Ardal O’Hanlon as Fr. Dougal in the hit sit-com ‘Fr. Ted.’


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scripted, and it seems they’re very time-consuming too. “Mock The Week is a real bear-pit” he says. “I don’t want to spend my whole life doing them. The pro� le they give you is great, but for three or four days before the recording you’re anticipating what’s topical and then on the day you’re there � ghting to get your oar in.” Instead, he prefers to work at his own pace, acting, writing and preparing that state-of-the-nation address. As far as Ireland is concerned, it’s a nation in some dif� culty, and I wonder if he even thinks audiences are in the mood for comedy, given the pressures that ordinary people are under. “I don’t generalise about people. I � nd that the people who go out to comedy nights are positive people, most of the people in the country are still reasonably positive. I know that they have genuine problems, absolutely, but people are getting on with their lives. Going to watch a comedian is

still a relatively inexpensive night out….audiences (attendance � gures) are still very healthy.” Of course most people would take the view that in these recessionary times we need laughter more than ever. In any event, we can’t � nish our chat without mentioning a certain collection of eccentric priests.

He is very proud of Fr. Ted, the comedy series that catapulted

him to fame (he followed it up with ‘My Hero’ and occasional other television roles). Ardal’s wonderful ‘Fr. Dougal’ is surely destined to be immortalised as one of the great comedy characters of the past thirty years or so. “I am very proud of

Fr. Ted and of the fact that it has endured. A new

audience seems to � nd it every year, it doesn’t seem to age. It has been fantastic.”

Thank you from the EditorIt was a pleasure to edit this second edition of ‘Pride of the Lions,’ the magazine of the Lions Clubs of Ireland. On pages four and � ve we pay tribute to the memory of a remarkable girl, Niamh Cadogan,

whose story is so poignant and touching. As our interview with Niamh’s mother Jean will testify, Niamh’s memory lives on through the legacy she has left behind. She will be fondly remembered. ‘Pride of the Lions’ provides an opportunity for Lions Clubs in Ireland to chronicle what they’ve been up to, which is invariably ‘much good’! Reading through this second edition, readers will, I believe, be suitably impressed by the range and scale of worthy projects engaged in by members. There are some terri� c stories. On pages 20-22 we have a really fascinating interview with Dr. Wing Kun Tam, our charismatic International President who

charmed everyone he met during his visit to Ireland this year! Fans of ‘Fr. Ted’ star Ardal O’Hanlon will be delighted to hear that we caught up with the comedian earlier this summer and spoke to him about his new stand-up show. I want to very sincerely thank all contributors and in particular my colleagues on the editorial team, Malcolm, Danny, Teresa and Darren. Thanks also to outgoing DG Sean Sandford and incoming DG Joe Smith for their support. Enjoy the read!

Paul Healy, Editor


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