richanthon, Author at RichardKnows

Feb 09

Sparkle & Shine Easter Ball 2016

by richanthon in Awareness, Charity, Children, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Family, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, People, Performance, Press, Promo 0 comments 4081 0

The Sparkle & Shine Easter Ball 2016 in association with the Keith Duffy Foundation will take place on Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday, March 26^th, at the Limerick Strand Hotel.

Miriam O Callaghan, one of RTE’s most loved and respected presenters will co- present the evening along with former Boyzone star, actor and philanthropist Keith Duffy. Entertainment for the star-studded event will be provided by world-class performer Cole Page and his band. An exclusive live auction will be the highlight for many, along with an extensive raffle supported by local businesses.

This year the Sparkle and Shine initiative and the Keith Duffy Foundation, founded by Keith Duffy, have decided to join forces to raise funds for their respective chosen charities and to give the Midwest region a night that is set to become one of the most high profile events of the year.

The Keith Duffy Foundation has chosen Cliona’s Foundation to be their chosen charity for its inaugural event in Limerick. The aim of Cliona’s Foundation is to give financial support to families of children with life limiting illnesses, to help them pay for the vast amount of non-medical costs associated with caring for a seriously ill child, “I’m delighted to help raise funds for Cliona’s Foundation for the work they do, it is something that’s close to my heart as I have seen the financial burden on families caring for a critically ill child and as part of my work with the Keith Duffy Foundation which aims to provide support and financial assistance to a number of chosen children’s charities throughout the country. I am also thrilled that Miriam O Callaghan, a much respected broadcaster and the official patron of my chosen charity Cliona’s Foundation, is coming to show her support on the night.”

Miriam O Callaghan, one of RTE’s most loved and respected faces will be Master of Ceremonies for the glamorous event. Miriam has become a household name in Ireland following her success on RTE’s Primetime and Saturday Night with Miriam.

There will be a live fundraiser auction compered by none other than Keith Duffy himself with some seriously fabulous treats up for grabs. World-renowned singer Cole Page will provide entertainment for the evening. Cole has performed for dignitaries from the worlds of politics, music and sport including Bill Clinton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Robbie Williams. There will be Easter favours at each seat, spot prizes, table prizes and gift bags and a raffle with a guaranteed prize of a minimum value of €100 at each table with plenty more opportunities to win prizes throughout the night.

The Sparkle and Shine Easter Ball in association with the Keith Duffy Foundation will take place on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday, March 26^th at the Limerick Strand Hotel. Tickets cost €100 or €1000 for a table. Check out the Sparkle & Shine Facebook page here

Take a look at the Keith Duffy Foundation site here

Check out the Keith Duffy Foundation Facebook here

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Jan 24

Clionas Foundation celebrate raising one million euro with Keith Duffy

by richanthon in Charity, News, Old Posts, People 0 comments 3805 0

Clionas Foundation celebrate

To celebrate their 9 year anniversary, Cliona’s Foundation Annual Celebratory Night 2016 took place in Bulgaden Castle last Saturday evening. The evening of celebrations kicked off at 9pm and featured a VIP appearance from singer, actor and philanthropist Keith Duffy on behalf of his charity the Keith Duffy Foundation.

Prior to the event Keith made a captivating statement of why he got involved with Cliona’s Foundation, “I’m delighted to be part of the celebrations and to help the Foundation with the work they do, it is something that’s close to my heart as I have seen the financial burden on families caring for a critically ill child and as part of my work with the Keith Duffy Foundation which aims to provide support and financial assistance to a number of chosen children’s charities throughout the country.”

Keith and his wife Lisa arrived at Bulgaden castle at 9pm having travelled down from Dublin specifically for the event. It was a heart filled moment when Brendan and Terry Ring, the founders of Cliona’s Foundation met Keith, as it was the first time they had met in person. The night kicked off in celebration as Keith announced that Cliona’s Foundation has risen €1,000,000 to date which is now providing funding for over 300 families.

Brendan expressed his gratitude for Keith, referring to Keith as “an inspirational man” that has profoundly helped the foundation getting to an astonishing goal of one million euro. The celebrations didn’t stop there as Keith did a Q&A in front of the crowd of more than 300 people.

Keith made an inspirational speech as he quoted “united we stand, divided we fall” when referring to working with Brendan and Terry. Cliona Ring was never far from the hearts of her parents, Brendan and Terry, as they specifically picked the month of January to celebrate the annual event as Cliona’s birthday is at the beginning of the month.

Clionas Foundation celebrate raising one million euro with Keith Duffy

Keith Duffy and Cliona Ring meeting for the first time many years ago.

Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick introduced Keith to Brendan and Terry and he never realised he had met Cliona when she was a little girl. Last week Brendan and Terry sent him old photos they found of Cliona meeting Boyzone when she was a little girl. Keith felt that Cliona brought him and the Foundation together and he told the crowd that Cliona and his good friend Stephen Gately were now “watching over them like two angels from heaven.”

Brendan referred to the continued struggles of parents with ill children, “we realize from our own experience the expense of travelling into a hospital on a continual basis, it’s paying for the simple things like a newspaper or lunch.” Having raised one million euro Cliona’s foundation will continue to help families pay for these expenses in the coming year! See www.clionasfoundation.ie or www.keithduffyfoundation.ie for more info.

Feature Image, Photo Credit – I Love Limerick, Dolf Patijn
For further information about Clionas Foundation you can, click here
You can follow Clionas foundation on twitter and facebook
You can also check out the Keith Duffy Foundation website, here
You can follow Keith on Twitter
For more related articles by I Love Limerick, click here

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Dec 22

PHOTOS & VIDEO Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre

by richanthon in Art, News 0 comments 3802 0

Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre – Richard with Marie Galligan Stokes and her son Adam, Santa, Keith Duffy and Linda Ledger, Manager St. Munchin’s Community Centre at the launch of the St Munchins Community Centre Children with Autism Santa Grotto 2015 in honour of the Keith Duffy Foundation. Picture: Leon Ledger.

Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre as part of his work with The Keith Duffy Foundation. The community centre is holding a Children with Autism Christmas Grotto 2015 with Santa Claus himself meeting and greeting children.

Keith, who is appearing in this year’s UCH Pantomime Sleeping Beauty until January 3 will be visiting the centre from 5pm alongside myself and fellow panto co-stars George McMahon and Leanne Moore.

Speaking at the launch of the event, the Boyzone star expressed his excitement to be helping out on the day, “I was in Limerick all last Christmas and I’m back again this Christmas. It’s important for me to make sure that people realise that I’m supporting whatever they’re doing involving autism and to get an opportunity to go meet all the kids and say hello is great.”

Manager of St Munchin’s Community Centre, Linda Ledger, decided to organise the Christmas grotto with her sister Marie for two very simple reasons, “my nephew Adam was diagnosed with Autism and we didn’t realise that there was no Santa in Limerick for children with autism”.

Marie Gilligan Stokes, whose son Adam (4) was diagnosed with autism is actively involved in collecting unused mobile phones as part of an Irish Autism Action appeal. The appeal grants iPads to children with autism to help with communication.

When Marie first began the appeal she never expected the kind generosity that she received, “A gentleman from America who heard of our appeal sent over a cheque anonymously to pay for the iPad. Before we knew it within 13 days we had nearly 800 odd phones so we had enough to get two more iPads. We got one for Adam and donated the other two to local intervention centres in Limerick. The phones just kept coming so as long as they keep coming we’ll keep donating them. So far now we’ve donated 5 iPads.” Unused mobile phones can be dropped into the collection point at St Munchin’s Community Centre.

The Keith Duffy Foundation is working to raise funds for a number of children’s charities throughout Ireland and charities in Limerick will not be forgotten. Keith tells me, “I’m going to come back next year to hopefully be involved in a black tie fundraising ball and I want to find out what’s going and in Limerick and find out how I can help.”

While the Christmas grotto is being held specifically for children with autism, St. Munchin’s Community Centre would like to welcome everyone to come and meet Keith from 5pm.

To find out about Keith’s Foundation visit www.KeithDuffyFoundation.ie.
You can also read more about St Munchins Community Centre right here!

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Nov 22

St Munchins Community Centre 10 year anniversary

by richanthon in Awareness, Business, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Events, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, Local Buisness, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 5133 0

Pictured at St Munchins Community Centre 10 year Anniversary celebrations – Richard with Kevin O Reilly, Denise Mulcahy, Catherine Troy, Kieran O Neill, Chairperson St Munchins Community Centre, JP Mc Manus, Sue Anne Foley, Noreen McManus and Linda Ledger, Manager St Munchins Community Centre. Picture: Jonathan Baynes/ilovelimerick.

Spirits were high this week at the St Munchins Community Centre 10 year anniversary celebrations, after a decade of community enhancement and development, with special guests in attendance.

JP and Noreen McManus attended the celebrations with daughter Sue-Ann Foley, in a show of support for the centre, and to turn the sod on the new day-care facility that will be built on the grounds.

After being presented with a number of gifts, in a show of gratitude for the help of the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, Sue-Ann Foley spoke to the crowds, encouraging the people who avail of the services offered to be “grateful” that they have people to speak for them, because “not every community has it. “We get plenty of applications in for centres such as this, and we try and help as many people as we can. It’s very easy to help St Munchin’s.

“My parents are very proud Limerick people.. And this centre shows what Limerick is about and the proper community spirit,” Sue-Ann said. Linda Ledger, St Munchin’s Centre Manager, thanked the McManus family for their continued support over the past decade. “None of this could have been done without JP McManus, he’s been our backbone. All our dreams have really just come true, and they’re even better than we thought.”

The centre continues to expand, taking over the grounds of the former St Lelia’s National School, which was one of three schools amalgamated into Thomond Primary, earlier this year. Thomond Primary is one of the many beneficiaries of the wide range of services that St Munchin’s offer to the community, with one of their newest ventures being the community café at the school, an extension of the café in the centre. Backed by social enterprise, six of the centre’s staff serve food to more than 250 students, giving them the chance to socialise with fellow students in the morning, over a healthy breakfast.

Linda Ledger spoke about the community café initiative, and its success so far. “There are some things like that, that we do, that you can’t put value on. There’s no glossy document, you just have to see it. And when you see something like that, it’s really wonderful,” she said. The new facility at the former St Lelia’s will be an “educational outreach” for everyone, young and old.

Paul Patton, Head of Further Education and Training, Limerick and Clare ETB, officially announced the major award in Healthcare Support that will be available in the new facility. Speaking about promoting education in the community, Mr Patton said: ““The whole idea is, as a social enterprise, is to work within the neighbourhood, and further afield.” This award covers modules, such as; Care Skills, Care of the Older Person, Care Support, Palilative Care Support, Infection Prevention Control, naming just a few. “We’re going to look at education in a completely different light.. We are tackling education, our way,” Linda said.

Visit the St Munchins’ Community Centre website here

Check out the St Munchin’s Community Centre Facebook page here and Twitter here

Basketball Blitz event in aid of Honouring Aaron

by richanthon in Charity, News, Old Posts, People 0 comments 3180 0

Pictured: Jerry O’Dea, Metropolitan Mayor of Limerick, Cecelia O’Flaherty, Founder of Honouring Aaron and Richard Lynch. Picture: Michelle Hogan/ILoveLimerick.

An U10’s Basketball Blitz event in aid of Honouring Aaron, a Limerick fundraising initiative, will be held on Sunday December 6 at Presentation Primary School gym on Sexton Street.

Honouring Aaron, previously titled ‘Remembering Aaron’, is an organisation which raises funds for a number of children’s charities in the Limerick area.

The event will see a number of U10’s Limerick basketball teams take part, followed by a cake sale. There will be a cover charge on the door and a charge for entering the basketball blitz.

Honouring Aaron, set up in memory of nine-year-old Aaron who died tragically in 2014, has raised up to €15,000 in total since its establishment.

Cheques will be presented on the day to charities who have been the beneficiaries of the initiative, with Jerry O’Dea, Metropolitan Mayor of Limerick, in attendance.

This will be the second year running of the Basketball Blitz in memory of Aaron, with a fun-filled event having taken place in 2014.

Basketball meant a great deal to Aaron as a member of the Limerick Laker’s, whose jersey was retired last year in a mark of respect and remembrance at the blitz event in 2014.

Temple Street will remain as an annual beneficiary of Honouring Aaron, with two Limerick charities, The Blue Box and Sophie’s Journey Foundation, both benefiting from the fundraising initiatives of Honouring Aaron in the future.

Cecelia O’Flaherty, Aaron’s mother, spoke about Honouring Aaron and why Temple Street Children’s Hospital was her chosen target for the donation.

“After Aaron left Galway University Hospital he was brought to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. They were so good to him there.

“They were all touched by Aaron in the time that he was there, they would bring him presents all the time,” Cecelia said.

Since its establishment, Honouring Aaron has raised money for a number of local charities, such as; Claughan GAA Club, Limerick Laker’s Basketball Club, Cliona’s Foundation and the Bumbleance.

Cecelia, a Civil Defence officer, acknowledges the support offered by the people of Limerick, showing her gratitude for every effort made, saying that all the support she has seen has been “overwhelming.”

The 2014 UL Sport Kids Run took place in Aaron’s memory last year, the day before the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run.

Funds raised from the Great Limerick Run go to Galway University Hospital, where he was airlifted to after his accident, and to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin, where he spent his final days.

Donate to “Aaron O’Flaherty Memorial Fund” at EBS bank in the Parkway Shopping Centre. BIC No: EBSIIE2DSDD IBAN No: IE04EBSI93902145610398

Follow the Honouring Aaron Facebook page here

Follow the Honouring Aaron Twitter here

Rugby legend Paul O Connell awarded UL doctorate honour

by richanthon in Award, Community, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Sports, Support 0 comments 3598 0

Dr Paul O Connell with Richard Lynch from I Love Limerick. Photo by Jonathan Baynes for ILoveLimerick.com

Limerick rugby legend Paul O Connell was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science at a ceremony in front of 1,000 invited guests on Thursday November 5, 2015.

The former Ireland captain, who bowed out of international rugby after picking up a hamstring injury at the World Cup last month, is the 100th person to receive an honorary doctorate at the University of Limerick.

Irish head coach Joe Schmidt, Munster players past and present, his family and friends, including wife Emily, son Paddy and daughter Lola were at this special event celebrating.

“I am delighted, I am a bit overwhelmed by it. I had a look through the list of previous conferees – it is great company that I will be keeping. I had a lovely phone call from Declan Kidney this morning – I was at his conferring previously,” said Paul.

O’Connell, who won 108 Irish caps over a glorious Irish career, said that the University, where he completed three of four years of a computer engineering degree before professional rugby came calling in 2001, had played a “big part” in his life.

“When you grow up in Limerick, the University ends up being a big part of your life, even if you don’t go here as a student,” he said.

“To get appreciated by your home university is something that is very special. I have played in teams all my life, great Munster and Irish teams and to be getting individual honours sometimes when you play a team sport is a bit strange and it can be a bit embarrassing because you are never in that situation, it is never about the individual when you are part of a team.

For 15 years the Munster icon has trained almost daily on campus in UL, and has a long association with the campus that dates back his days as a swimmer in the original PESS swimming pool as a four or five year old, he explained.

Asked about a break with that routine now with his move to Toulon in the offing – albeit with months of rehab for his injury ahead of him – he said simply: “It is part of life, part of the circle of life.

“I think the Toulon move is something I gave a lot of thought to and I swayed back and forth as to whether it was the right thing or the wrong thing to do. But I think for whatever I want to do for the rest of my life, I think I will be all the better for having this experience and it is something I am really looking forward to,” he said.

“Limerick will always be my home and it will always be somewhere I would like to come back to.”

O’Connell explained why he wouldn’t rule out a return to education in the future: “I have had good excuses with having two kids and having a senior role in the Irish team and Munster team as well. I have toyed with it, I have come in and spoken to the University plenty of times about the possibility of coming back and doing various things and I cooled on the idea as well. But I probably have 18 months left playing rugby and I will be taking a little bit of time out after that and who knows, I could end up back here as a student as well,” he admitted.

UL President Professor Don Barry paid tribute to the rugby legend, who has been a director of the UL Foundation since 2011, saying that the occasion was an “opportunity to honour those who have inspired, who have led with courage and passion and who have made great contributions in their fields of endeavour.

“Much thought, consideration and deliberation goes into deciding who is worthy – except when it is a real-life super hero, and particularly when his name is Paul O’Connell.

“Today I am very proud that UL bestowed upon Paul our highest honour. He was already an important member of the UL family, but today he accepted a place in the history of this institution,” he added.

Read Richard’s tribute to Paul O Connell here.

Castleconnell winner of the Limerick Going for Gold 2015

by richanthon in Award, Business, Charity, Community, Culture, Events, Family, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo 0 comments 3393 0

Castleconnell winner of the Limerick Going for Gold competition 2015

Limerick Going for Gold 2015, which for the first time included the communities across Limerick City and County, featured a prize pool of over €76,000, courtesy of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

Castleconnell were named as the overall winner in the Challenge category at Limerick Going for Gold Competition 2015, receiving a €10,000 prize.

I had the honour of taking on the role of Master of Ceremonies for the event, which raised awareness of environmental issues, got people involved in their own areas and made a physical difference in communities.

JP McManus presented Castleconnell at the Limerick Going for Gold Competition 2015 with their cheque and trophy, thanking them for their role in their community.“There’s a great passion here, of people and a love for the county. Everybody embraces everybody.“I feel very privileged and honoured to be here and everybody’s a winner here. I can see Limerick getting cleaner and brighter, I am very happy to be from here,” McManus said.

Over €76,000 was awarded to Limerick communities who raised awareness of environmental issues, got people involved in their own areas and made a physical difference in communities. Through four categories – Challenge, Limerick in Bloom, Best Front Garden and Tidy Towns Incentive categories – Limerick communities were awarded with monetary prizes and were commended on their “fantastic” work.

Awards were also presented on the night in Endeavour and Residential Areas categories. Limerick Mayor Liam Galvin was in attendance on the night, acknowledging the role of communities and sponsors in the Going for Gold initiative.

The Challenge Category winners at the Limerick Going for Gold Competition 2015, whose finalists were chosen by public vote following radio and newspaper coverage, included Kilteely, Broadford, Anglesboro, Rathkeale, Hospital and O’Malley Keyes, each receiving an award of €1,000. Croom and Caherdavin came in joint fifth place in the Challenge category, each receiving an award of €2,000.Kilfinane, reaching fourth place, were presented with a cheque for €3,000 by Gerry Boland. South Limerick City received an award of €5,000, coming in third place in the Challenge category.

Check out the Limerick Going for Gold Facebook page here

Read more about the Going for Gold competition here

Oct 05

Butterfly Ball 2015

by richanthon in Advertisement, Awareness, Business, Community, Entertainment, Events, Fundraiser, Health, Healthcare, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, Local Buisness, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 3397 0

Butterfly Ball 2015

The Mid-Western Cancer Foundation’s annual Butterfly Ball is considered one of the high profile events of the Mid West area social calendar. This year has been difficult from a financial point of view for everybody personally and professionally. This continues to be true for the HSE where funding and resources remain restricted. Indeed the Director General of the HSE has accepted the adverse impact on patient care.

The aim in the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation is to complement and cooperate with the HSE to assist the regional Cancer Services in areas such as purchasing of equipment, funding research, and continuing education that is necessary to support our designated national Cancer Centre. The Foundation also helps to create awareness of cancer in the Mid-West region and to the run the Support Centre.

The Foundation continues to receive considerable donations from those individuals who have been treated in our Centre and also their families and friends who have been affected by their experience. The presence of the Mid-Western Cancer Centre has enabled the majority of patients to be treated locally thus remaining at home with support from family, friends and health professionals within the region.

The last 12 months of fundraising has been difficult as experienced by all charities. Nevertheless, significant funds have been used to maintain and improve the quality of care to patients at the Cancer Centre by providing, for example;

Recliner Chairs in Day Ward- €20,500•Software for Prostate Imaging – €20,000
Paxman Cooler – Hair Loss prevention €12,500
Chairs polished and upholstered – Oncology Reception and clinic €3,600
Armchairs in Ward 4B – €7,666
Funding for additional medical staff – €17,811

In total, over €80,000 has been raised.

Funding is also used on an ongoing basis to support the Cancer Information and Support Centre. Here, the foundation aims to complement the medical treatment by the provision of psychological and counselling support with access to services such as complimentary therapies and support groups. This is in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society. We hope to be just as successful for the next year so that we can maintain all the services currently provided.

The number of people who are being diagnosed in this region is increasing and will continue to increase. In the current environment we need your support more than ever to help us ensure the continuing management of our patients with cancer.

Details about this year’s Butterfly Ball 2015:

This years Butterfly Ball 2015, was held on Saturday 3rd of October in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Tickets were €90 per person which included:

A champagne reception with the Dolmen String quartet.

A 4 course meal,
Complimentary professional photography from Michael Martin photography
Gift bags from Lorraine O’Connell at No15 Le Maison De Curio
Special entertainment – Las Vegas Casino with HIYA Events featuring Elvis Presley and DJ James Sexton,
Raffle on the night with great spot prizes.

Tickets were available from the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation office at the Cancer Information & Support Centre or online.

Thanks go to Brian Harrington, from the Radisson Blu Hotel, for sponsoring the Butterfly Ball 2015 press launch, and the staff and the George Boutique Hotel for hosting the event.

Visit the Mid-West Cancer Foundation website, to buy tickets here

Sparkle & Shine Easter Ball 2016

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