Category Archives: News

Limerick Pride Festival 2021 – The theme for this year’s pride is ‘Different Families, Same Love’. Pictured above on the roof of the Limerick Strand Hotel are the Limerick Pride Committee 2021 with Myles Breen (centre back row). Picture: Farhan Saeed/ilovelimerick

Rainbow flag flies proudly over River Shannon for Limerick Pride Festival 2021

On Sunday, July 4, the Pride festivities will kick off with the Rainbow River Parade. Pictured are Richard Lynch, PRO Limerick Pride, Lisa Daly, Chairperson Limerick Pride, Carrie Deway, Alan Gleeson, Limerick Narwhals and Tom Sheehan, Limerick Suicide Watch. Picture: Farhan Saeed/ilovelimerick

Limerick Pride Festival 2021 takes place from July 4 -11, with a virtual Parade on Saturday, July 10 at 2 pm live from the Limerick Pride Facebook page. The theme for this year’s Pride is ‘Different Families, Same Love’.

Lisa Daly, Chairperson and Director of Limerick Pride Festival said, “We chose that theme because many people ask every year, why do you need pride? A lot of people, even in our own community, don’t realise that there are 60% of LGBTQ+ families that have no equality or legal right to their own children if they are not the biological parent, whether they are married or not. The #stillnotequal we are using for Pride this year highlights the many issues we still face today which are reflected in our line-up of events throughout the week. This year the Festival is offering something for everyone and events include educational workshops, Storytime with Carrie Deway, Youth Pride, Pride in our Pets, our Climax Party which will be hosted by RuPaul Drag Race star Heidi N Closet with limited meet and greet tickets and much more!”

Lisa added, “Twenty years ago the first Pride night was held in Limerick, when community stalwarts Paddy Doyle and Nicole Dunphy organised the first weekend of Pride celebrations with their events in both Cosmo and Yum Yum Niteclub. We are celebrating the anniversary of these events this year as they were the catalyst for the annual Pride Parade which began in 2007 and also the first Limerick LGBT Festival which took place in 2008. We wanted to acknowledge and celebrate two decades of Pride events in Limerick.”

Richard Lynch, PRO of Limerick Pride said, “We are delighted to announce that this year’s Grand Marshall is one other than writer, presenter and activist Ranae von Meding. She is a same sex parent to two young daughters with her wife Audrey. Ranae is the CEO and co-founder of Equality for Children, an Irish non-profit that fights for equality for children born to LGBTQ+ families in Ireland.”

Lisa Daly, Chairperson of @limerickpride speaks about this years Festival from July 4 -11, with a virtual Parade on Saturday, July 10 at 2 pm live from their Facebook page.#stillnotequal #limerick #ilovelimerick #lovelimerick #limerickedgeembrace #limerickandproud #limerickcity pic.twitter.com/uFQgpNlc1n

— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 15, 2021

On being asked to be the Grand Marshall of Limerick Pride for 2021 Ranae said, “ I am honoured to be this year’s Grand Marshall for Limerick Pride, particularly being that this year’s theme is ‘Different Families, Same Love.’ While we have made great strides towards equality in recent years, there is much work to be done when it comes to Rainbow Families in Ireland.  In most LGBTQ+ led families, children are only allowed a legal connection with one of their parents. Six years on from marriage equality, this is simply not good enough and it’s important that we use Pride not only for celebration but also to raise awareness of these important issues for our communities.”

On Sunday, July 4, the Pride festivities will kick off as Grand Marshall Ranae von Meding will launch Pride with the Rainbow River Swim Parade at 2 pm from St Michaels Rowing Club which will see over 80 swimmers from Limerick swimming group Limerick Narwhals taking to the river followed by over sailing boats, paddle boats and kayaks in a celebration of Pride on the River Shannon.

Richard Lynch, PRO of Limerick Pride commented, “Our Rainbow River Parade is an exciting physical way to represent pride. The swim will start at St Michael’s RC and will go to Thomond Bridge and end back at St. Michael’s. We wanted a visible parade to show people we are here while also keeping in Covid guidelines.”

On Saturday, July 10 from 2 pm, a Limerick Virtual Pride Parade will stream on the Pride Facebook and Youtube page followed by the traditional Pridefest featuring performances from many local artists, drag queens and the annual Tea Dance with Myles Breen.

Chairperson Lisa Daly said, “Last year’s Pride Festival parade gained 62,000 viewers despite being affected by Covid 19 restrictions. People who had never attended a Pride Parade were able to attend and the Pride Festival committee received amazing feedback for all the hard work it took to host a virtual parade. This year, the committee were more prepared for a virtual parade so one can only imagine the excitement we have in store as this year Limerick Pride is also part of Europride and Global Pride.”

For a full listing of festival events information check out Limerick Pride’s social media and their website HERE

To register for the Rainbow River Swim Parade go HERE

South Africa Schoolbook Donation Drive – Pictured at Gateway to Education Limerick are Paul Goodwin, Assistant Manager and Suzanne Roche, Founder. Picture: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick

Gateway to Education Limerick fundraise for South Africa Schoolbook Donation Drive

Suzanne Roche, Founder Gateway to Education Limerick pictured during the successful Malawi schoolbook campaign. Picture: ilovelimerick

Gateway to Education Limerick (GTEL) is an education support charity based on Wickham Street in Limerick. The main aim of GTEL is to make education more affordable for Limerick-based families. They focus on reducing the cost of going to school here in Ireland. Part of this includes getting books into the hands of students at a reduced cost to their customer base. The charity is currently appealing for donations to send school books to South Africa and have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the cause. The proceeds will pay the cost of a large container that will send unwanted school books to schools to the Netherlands. GTEL has teamed up with Read To Grow in the Netherlands who will help them ship much needed school books to South African communities. They just need to get the books to the Netherlands first.

Paul Goodwin, Assistant Manager of Gateway to Education Limerick speaks about their fundraising for a Book Drive to send books to South Africa. They also have set up a GoFundMe page.#limerick #ilovelimerick #lovelimerick #limerickedgeembrace #limerickandproud #limerickcity pic.twitter.com/3MafauejXR

— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 10, 2021

 Paul Goodwin, Assistant Manager of GTEL said, We focus on reducing the costs of going to school here in Ireland. Part of this includes getting books into the hands of students at a cheaper cost. A frequently changing syllabus and new book editions being published each year often means that many schoolbooks become obsolete. Rather than sending these books to landfill we want to reuse them by getting them to communities who need them. In 2018 we sent 500 boxes of books to Malawi in East Africa to a community where over 1000 students shared roughly 100 books between them. The project was a success and we now want to repeat the project.”

Suzanne Roche, Founder of GTEL said, The organisation relies on the help of our volunteers and your generosity. We would be so grateful if you could donate and help cover the cost of shipping these books to the Netherlands. Read To Grow will then take them the rest of the way. Our goal is €2500 euro and anything you can give will be greatly appreciated. If you can’t donate money then please consider donating your old school books to us. To donate money please visit our GoFundMe page that we have set up specifically for our Book Drive fundraising, thank you.”

For more information on Gateway to Education Limerick go HERE

To donate to the GoFundMe page please go HERE

St Gabriels 60th Anniversary – The continuing development and expansion of the St Gabriel’s School and Centre over the years has been made possible in a very large way by fundraising efforts and philanthropic donations. Picture: Arthur Ellis.

 St Gabriels 60th Anniversary of supporting children with disabilities

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Dylan Frawley

St. Gabriel’s School & Centre is celebrating 60 years of supporting children with disabilities to reach their potential and to live their life in a dignified manner by working in a spirit of partnership with parents, carers, and their extended families to deliver a range of services around the individual needs of the child. St Gabriels 60th Anniversary 

In 1961 Arthur Crabtree, the visionary founder of St. Gabriel’s School & Centre and a group of Limerick business people recognised what few if any facilities were available to help and support families of children with disabilities at that particular time in Limerick. Having come together out of concern to try to bring about change, they set up the Limerick Children’s Handicapped Association, a non-residential treatment centre in St. Joseph’s Street, Limerick. This was the early days of what was later to become known as St. Gabriel’s School & Centre.

After Arthur’s death, Wyn Crabtree, Arthur’s daughter, carried on the outstanding work her father had started. Over time and with the support of her voluntary committee, chaired by Dr Billy Cahill, their determination and commitment to have a special needs school and centre for children with multiple disabilities established in Limerick paid off and a new green-field site in Dooradoyle was purchased.

In April 1997, a purpose-built special needs school and outpatient centre was opened by the then Minister, Michael Noonan, T.D. This marked a new era in the treatment of children with disabilities. Sadly, Wyn passed away in March 2009 at the age of 93 however her memory and spirit live on in St. Gabriel’s today. That very same dedication she displayed throughout her life’s work still is still evident amongst staff who now work in a multi-disciplinary team approach to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities in the Midwest region

The continuing development and expansion of the St Gabriel’s School and Centre over the years has been made possible in a very large way by fundraising efforts and philanthropic donations. In 2008, St Gabriel’s established their Regional Orthotics Service and in 2009 they opened a new Hydrotherapy Pool, largely thanks to the philanthropic efforts of JP McManus and the fundraising efforts of the community in Limerick. St Gabriel’s 60th Anniversary

Hugely grateful to Tesco Community Funds at Arthur's Quay SC for their very generous donation of €666. It will support the work we do at St. Gabriel’s for children with disabilities thank you. @TescoIRLnews pic.twitter.com/73eTCEMiAb

— St. Gabriel's Centre (@StGabrielsCentr) March 22, 2021

St. Gabriel’s School is a special needs primary and post-primary day school, one of only five such schools in Ireland. St Gabriel’s school and centre is a primary and post-primary school for children aged 4-18 with multiple physical/sensory disabilities and/or developmental delay and more life-limiting conditions. St. Gabriel’s Treehouse School Age Team provides services for children of school-going age.

Up to 500 children and young adults from birth to 18 years with a range of disabilities living in the Midwest region attend St. Gabriel’s Early Intervention and School Age multidisciplinary clinical teams which was set up in 2005. St. Gabriel’s Treehouse Early Intervention Team at Dooradoyle deliver a range of services to children with disabilities from birth to six years of age. They present a range of conditions which include cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions.

In 2009 St Gabriels opened a new Hydrotherapy Pool, largely in thanks to the philanthropic efforts of JP McManus and the fundraising efforts of the community in Limerick.

These teams include Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. The clinical teams provide assessments and interventions for children attending services in St. Gabriel’s Centre, at the child’s home and pre-school, primary and secondary school settings. St. Gabriel’s work with families to support children to reach their developmental milestones through a combination of individualised programmes, group work and training. Examples of some of the programmes delivered to parents and families are Hannen, Incredible Years, More Than Words, Talkability, Sibling Workshops, Youth Club for teenagers with ASD. These training and advice programmes support parents to assist their child’s development.

In February 2021, it was announced that St Gabriel’s Respite House, which provides round-the-clock respite care for children with disabilities and complex needs, will finally be able to open after a two-year wait, following confirmation that Government funding has been secured. The six-bed St Gabriel’s unit at Mungret in Limerick was built after almost €3m was raised for construction, but they could not open it because they had no funding to staff it. Máire O’Leary, CEO, St. Gabriel’s said, “the provision of an overnight respite service for children with disabilities is a matter of social justice. We have a responsibility to ensure we support a meaningful level of service to exhausted parents and families. These children have very complex needs, require specialist services and around-the-clock care which is provided by their families. Many of the children are non-verbal, use wheelchairs and are Peg fed, and may require oxygen and suction during the day. Some children that will use the service have life-limiting conditions.”

Máire thanked all the families who supported St. Gabriel’s in the development of this service over the past 10 years saying, “Family needs were the inspiration behind this project, and without their relentless advocacy on behalf of their children we may not have had the courage to embark on such an ambitious plan. Some of these children have sadly passed away but I hope that their families will get comfort today in knowing that their drive to support us will have a lasting legacy for all children with complex disabilities and their families in the region.”

In July 2020 Limerick man Bernard Quinn took on the challenge of walking 100,000 steps in one day to raise money for St. Gabriel’s new Children’s Respite House. Pictured here with Kate Sheahan, Fundraising Manager St Gabriels.

St Gabriel’s is a non-denominational organisation and a registered charity and needs constant fundraising support. Please consider donating to this invaluable Limerick organisation or perhaps organising a fundraiser of your own and let’s keep their services going for another 60 years! Congrats to all at St Gabriel’s for all their hard work and dedication to the people of Limerick.

Kate Sheahan, St. Gabriel’s said, “We are very grateful to the many private donors, companies and businesses who continue to give their support to St. Gabriel’s throughout the pandemic. The harsh reality is that our regular fundraisers have all been cancelled but the need for donations, sponsorship and funding support remains as great as ever. To mark our 60th year anniversary this year we will be launching a different fundraising appeal in early summer. We will be asking the public to make a special donation. If you are willing to use your resources to support the appeal, we would be extremely grateful. A gift no matter what the size can be very meaningful and have a life-changing impact to help improve the quality of life for children with disabilities who need it.”

For more News go HERE 

To donate to St Gabriel’s go HERE

After an incredible journey of hard work and fundraising, Sophies Journey Foundation will reach the end of the road this year.

Sophies Journey Foundation to reach its journey’s end this year

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Tara Byrne

Richard pictured with the Mulcahy’s including the beautiful Sophie in pink. Picture: Caleb Purcell

After an incredible journey of hard work and fundraising, Sophies Journey Foundation has decided that by the end of the year, the foundation will come to an end.

Sophies Journey Foundation was developed by her parents, Liam and Stacey Mulcahy, as a foundation in January 2015 to support families who were dealing with children with life-limiting conditions in memory of their daughter Sophie who sadly passed away from kidney failure on October 23rd, 2014. This is a much-needed service during a critical time of a child’s life. The funds raised go directly to supporting in-home care for children with life-limiting illnesses in the Limerick area.

Liam, Sophie’s father said, “We are not ending the Foundation based on financial elements, it’s purely the fact that we as a family feel the Foundation and the club have carried Sophie’s name with pride and honour for so long in doing amazing work for Limerick kids and national charities for 14 years that it’s time to say goodbye.”

Initially, Liam was fundraising in Sophie’s honour under the name Cycle4Sick Children as a cycling club that raised funds for children’s charities but once Sophie passed they set up Sophie’s Journey Foundation to focus on kids with life-limiting illness and to raise funds for local children’s organisations.

Liam Mulcahy, Sophie’s Foundation, Majella Short, Nurse at San Joseph Children’s Respite Centre, Stacey Mulcahy, Dion O’ Dowd. Picture: Billy Butler/ilovelimerick

Sophie was born with a rare condition called 1Q43 and was born on July 12, 2006, in the Coombe Maternity Hospital. She was immediately transferred to Our Lady’s Children’s where she would have an amazing six heart operations in seven months. Sophie spent the majority of her stay in Cardiac ICU 2 ventilated fighting battle after battle. This condition, along with her 7 months in Crumlin left Sophie unable to walk, talk or feed herself.

Throughout her short few years, Sophie inspired so many people to achieve the impossible and she was at the centre of many events that brought people together. Anyone who knew her well was touched by her. Liam and Stacey started fundraising in 2007 to thank the organisations who saved her life and helped raise huge funds that went to families to help with the children’s needs.

Sadly Sophie passed away in October 2014. Sophie’s family have given 100 percent commitment to this foundation in memory of Sophie’s legacy and to help improve the conditions that families with children with life-limiting endure on a daily basis.

There are many treasured memories from the various events and projects the Foundation has been involved in.

Sophie’s Journey Foundation has raised tens of thousands of euro for charity through events such as the annual Sophie Mulcahy Memorial Cycle and the annual Sophie Mulcahy Memorial Run.

Pictured at the new Mungret Inclusion Park and Playground were, Kayla Mulcahy, Lexie O’Donoghue, Aoife Carroll, Liam Mulcahy, Sophies Journey, Valerie Dunne, C4SC, Gerard Lynch, Team Sophie, Christine O’Donoghue, Keith Walker, Kompan and Dion O’Dowd. Picture by Alan Place.

In 2013, Liam approached the Limerick Council, while working through Cycle4Sick children, with a sketch of his plans for a park for the Limerick community that would be inclusive of people of all abilities. This led to the birth of Mungret Inclusion Park and Playground. 

In 2015, Liam and his wife Stacey, along with the help from volunteers took to San Joseph Children’s Respite Centre to paint their back garden area in memory of Sophie. This area is an integral part of the centre as it is where the children spend a lot of their time when the weather is good. The paint job brought a new lease of life to the garden, brightening the area up.

The foundation had a fantastic support element called ‘Team SophieMul’ named in honour of Sophie. The group consisted of cyclists and runners and all people who wanted to become actively involved with the foundation. It actively created awareness for children with life-limiting conditions. Together, they helped improve lives by organizing and partaking in events and challenges.

Liam added, “We want to thank the doctors, nurses, ambulance staff, caregivers, sponsors, volunteers and supporters. We want to think of the people we have helped to create the beautiful Mungret Park and other fantastic projects our beautiful Sophie has inspired. Thanks so much for your help and support you have been amazing throughout.”

Patrons of Sophie’s Journey Foundation included JLT Condor Cyclist David Mc Carty, Deca Ironman 32 Marathon Man Gerry Duffy, Legendary Runner Sonia O’ Sullivan, Limerick Hurler Graeme Mulcahy, World Track Cyclist Caroline Ryan, Former Pro Cyclist and Awarding Journalist Paul Kimmage, Team GB Cyclist Chloe Selman, Pro Cyclist Sam Bennett, Former Irish and Munster Rugby Player Denis Leamy.

https://www.facebook.com/sophiesjourneyfoundation/posts/2898260690449575

Recently, another ambassador for the foundation Irish hurler Barry Hennessy raised a total of €2900 by completing a four-mile run every four hours. These are only a few of the wonderful events organized to help raise money for children with life-limiting illnesses.

Sophie’s Journey Foundation has one big project coming up, Operation Garden Transformation, transforming Mary and Taylor Rose’s back garden. At present, the garden is not wheelchair accessible but this is going to change. This has been planned for a while but was delayed due to Covid 19. You can also support the project by donating to Sophie’s Journey Foundation. Due to Covid 19 guidelines, the project can’t have a volunteer capacity for work. You can help this beautiful young lady hopefully enjoy some newfound freedom.

Sophie’s Journey Foundation, after transforming the garden, will then have one more project before the Foundation will finish for good. Liam concluded his goodbye by saying, “Thanks again to everyone who has remembered Sophie throughout and has been there when we needed you. Stay safe through these mad times and we will see you all soon for the final event of Sophie’s Journey, with thanks, Liam and Stacey.”

To donate to Sophie’s Journey Foundation go HERE

For more News go HERE 

Limerick City Community Radio celebrates its 7th Anniversary!  LCCR 7th anniversary   LCCR 7th anniversary 

Limerick City Community Radio is celebrating its seventh anniversary.  LCCR 7th anniversary   

The voluntary, nonprofit, Limerick-based radio station has for the last seven years, voiced the community of Limerick City and its surrounding area while also providing quality entertainment for listeners.   

 Presenter Pat Foley. Picture: Dylan Frawley/ilovelimerick

The station was established under Richard Smith, Derek Shine, Mike O’Connor, Liam Byrne, John Frawley and John Murphy in 2014 and was later licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on 99.9FM during weekends from January to December, following the station’s pilot run.     

Limerick City Community Radio started in a single room above Windmill Motors as an online station, the station has since moved its office to its permanent premises on Edward Street in 2020, which marked a new chapter in the history of LCCR.    

Since its establishment, the alternative radio station has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the ordinary people of Limerick and to help those in need. Notably, in 2019, the station remarkably held a 12-hour telethon to raise vital funds for Leon O’ Connor, a Limerick student that suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Staying true to its motto “Your City. Your station. Your voice”.    

Limerick City Community Radio currently hosts a range of shows, some of the most popular including Eric Fitzgerald with ‘The Front Room’, Richard Smith with ‘Kickin’ Country’, Sean Ryan with ‘The Foo Bar’ and Breda Ryan with both of her shows, ‘Bellissimo Radio’ and the ‘90s @ 9’.    

We chatted with Richard Smith, Chairperson of Limerick City Community Radio about the last seven years and the plans for the future: LCCR 7th anniversary 

.@LCCR1 is celebrating its 7th Birthday! Richard Smith, Chairperson of LCCR wants to thank all the voluntary radio presenters and the listeners for their amazing support! Here’s to the next 7 years! #LCCR #ilovelimerick #lovelimerick #lovinlimerick #limerickedgelimerickembrace pic.twitter.com/HVowwg2XvW

— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) March 19, 2021

What was the inspiration behind setting up Limerick City Community Radio and who started it?      

I was attending a radio production course in LCFE. One of the other attendees Derek Shine and myself hit it off and the idea came about. A meeting was then arranged around the kitchen table in my house with Mike O’Connor, Liam Byrne, John Frawley and John Murphy and LCCR was born.    

What has been the greatest challenge that you have experienced so far?      

The biggest challenge as most small voluntary organisations will know is funding. There are only certain programmes of funding that we can apply for as we are a City-based organisation and not yet a full-time station.    

 How different is LCCR now as opposed to when it first started?    

We started as an online station and later progressed to FM. This would not have been possible without the agreement and assistance of the board and management of WiredFM, the local student station based in Mary I & LIT. They kindly allow us to use the 99.9fm frequency each weekend.    

After seven years of being on-air, what is the most memorable thing to happen in the LCCR studio? 

I think that each volunteer or presenter would have their own experience that stands out. The two that stand out for me are the first-ever FM broadcast on 99.9fm on a Saturday morning. The other was a news bulletin that was meant to be edited as there was a swear word in the middle of it and it turned out that it wasn’t actually edited, and it went out as it was. The poor news reader’s phone didn’t stop all afternoon and they’ve never read the news again.    

Referring to your motto “Your City. Your station. Your voice” in what way do you help the people of Limerick?    

The door at LCCR is always open to community groups and organisations to either come in and talk about their organisations or even have their own slot either online or FM. The same goes for anyone that has an idea and would like to discuss it with us. We also facilitate TY’s, work placement students from many of the local schools, colleges and universities. We have also assisted some voluntary groups by supplying PA equipment for functions and events.    

What do you love most about LCCR and what makes it different from other radio stations?      

LCCR covers a vast range of topics, subjects and music genres. Not just on FM but online as well. One show you could be listening to Rock, another Country, another 80’s to name a few. Cookery, technology and disability issues are also regular shows at LCCR.    

How many shows do you currently have running?      

Online from Monday to Friday, there are twenty-one different shows. Some of these shows also run daily from Monday to Friday as we have a live schedule online from 8 am to 6\6.30pm. During the weekend, we run thirty-two different shows and two news bulletins.    

Can the people of Limerick expect any exciting, new projects from you shortly?      

We are currently exploring the feasibility of applying for a full-time community license. This may take a while and is something that we are working towards currently.    

Where do you see LCCR going in five years?    

We hope to see the expansion of our online service while we are applying for the full-time FM license.    

And lastly, what do you love most about Limerick?     

Limerick always has a great buzz about it and has great coffee shops and places to eat. I have been in Limerick for sixteen years and it’s never crossed my mind to move elsewhere.  

We are still coming to you on 99.9fm across Limerick City or online at https://t.co/tqMkS5QjpI #limerick #ilovelimerick #lovelimerick #community #communityspirit #communityradio #craol #WeCanDoThisTogether #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Oism6Ek1z

— Limerick City Community Radio (@LCCR1) April 5, 2020

Check out the shows: 

Eric Fitzgerald with The Front Room, 8 pm every Saturday night – a place to share music  

Breda Ryan with Bellissimo Radio, every Monday at 1 pm – interviews with hottest 90s stars 

Breda Ryan with The 90s @ 9, every Saturday night at 9 pm – your fave 90s music 

Sean Ryan with The Foo Bar, every 2nd Sunday at 4 pm – discussing what’s happening in the world of Technology 

Richard Smith with Kickin’ Country, every Sunday at 1 pm – a look at the latest and best in American Country music 

 For more information on LCCR go HERE

For more News go HERE 

Team up for Theo – Theo pictured above has cancer and needs to get to New York for a lifesaving clinical trial

Team up for Theo forced to wait six months for decision on US cancer trial- January 4, 2021

More than €400,000 was raised through public donations to pay for a Limerick boy to participate in a US drug trial. The small family were grateful for the help of the Limerick people and were excited to get Theo to the trial in January.

Unfortunately, these plans have been put on ice after his family was told he would have to wait another six months before he could be considered for the experimental therapy.

Theo was given the all-clear just before Christmas, which is what he needed to be allowed onto the experimental trial, along with the 400,000 raised to help get little Theo and his single mother, Eleanor Murnane, to New York where he would receive a round of immunotherapy, which it is hoped will considerably lower the chances of Theo’s Cancer returning.

Eleanor had hoped that Theo would have been accepted on to the trial by now, but that is no longer possible as Eleanor received the news that Theo did not fit the criteria to get on the trial in New York.

“We have been told we have to wait until Theo is six months cancer-free which will bring us to June 2021,” Ms. Murnane said, “in the interim, the doctors in New York have recommended Theo go to Barcelona for further treatment.”

“Theo will have another big scan in May and hopefully will still be clear so we can get on that much anticipated, long road to New York. As several people have said to me, maybe this is a blessing in disguise with everything going on in the world at the moment. Who knows?” Ms. Murnane explained.

We at I Love Limerick wish Eleanor and Theo the best and hope that everything works out in their favour.

Update on Team up For Theo- December 14, 2020

Eleanor Murnane, Murroe, has had the best early Christmas present imaginable as the target of reaching €375,000 to bring her son for a cancer trial in New York was reached because of you, the generous people of Limerick.

We asked you all to Team up for Theo and help his mother, a single parent to three-year-old Theo, Eleanor reach her goal to help save her little boy, who deserves to live a carefree and happy life, and you guys have delivered that and more!

The news gets even better as Theo was recently given clear scans that are required to get on the clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital Cancer Centre in New York last Monday.

Eleanor was speechless at the outpour of love and support from the people of Limerick when her goal on her fundraiser was reached after just two weeks of it going up.

If anyone deserves this kind of Christmas present this year it is baby Theo, who at only three years old has had a tumour removed, gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, a double stem cell transplant, fourteen rounds of radiotherapy, six rounds of immunotherapy, and several serious infections.

Eleanor has come close to losing Theo on several occasions, but Theo has defied all odds again and again and battled through it. The single parent said that the trial in New York will help prevent cancer from re-occurring and greatly improve Theo’s chances of survival.

Eleanor has done everything she possibly can for her son and now she can finally prepare for her life-changing visit to New York early in the new year.

She stressed that any money remaining in the fund that isn’t used for Theo’s treatment will be ring-fenced and donated to a child who needs the same sad opportunity as her son.

And again, Eleanor wishes to thank everyone who has teamed up for Theo.

We are asking Limerick to Team up for Theo 

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Mary Caroline McCarthy

The trial will help prevent the cancer from recurring and greatly improve Theo’s chances of survival

Team up for Theo is a fundraiser to help raise much needed funds to send a three year old boy named Theo, who has cancer, to New York for a lifesaving clinical trial. The fundraiser has been set up by friends of Theo’s mother, Eleanor Murnane, who desperately needs your help.

In April 2017, Theo arrived with a much longed for and healthy baby. On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, two weeks after little Theo’s first birthday, Eleanor felt a lump in his abdomen and was concerned that his belly was quite swollen and so took him to their GP.

They were immediately sent to University Hospital Limerick where they found a large tumour in Theo’s abdomen. He was then taken by ambulance to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, cancer that had spread to his bones and scalp. By Saturday morning he was having chemotherapy and his mother’s world had turned upside down and fallen apart before her little boy was even two years old.

Since then, Theo has had his tumour removed and gone through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, a double stem cell transplant, fourteen rounds of radiotherapy, and six rounds of immunotherapy. He has suffered setbacks along the way, including two very serious infections which had him admitted to Intensive Care. Eleanor has come scarily close to losing her little boy several times, but Theo has defied all odds and battled through it. Right now, he is just about to finish his last round of immunotherapy, after which the family is hopeful for a clear scan. Theo is now three and has been in treatment for the last two and a half years.

Unfortunately, with the type of cancer that Theo has, the chance of recurrence is extremely high. Theo’s mother is asking for your help to get Theo on a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital Cancer Centre in New York.

This trial will help prevent the cancer from recurring and greatly improve Theo’s chances of survival. Theo deserves a long, healthy life free from pain and fear. Unfortunately, time is not on their side, as Theo needs to be in New York by January 2021 so the family urgently needs your help with this. They need to raise €375,000.

Speaking on this Eleanor, Theo’s mum, said, “The last two years have been incredibly tough, especially as a single parent. I have learned first-hand how precious life really is and how quickly it can all be taken away. I will forever be grateful for the love and kindness from people who have sent thoughts, prayers, and good wishes, even those we’ve never even met. And, of course, we are forever indebted to the wonderful staff in Crumlin Hospital and University Hospital Limerick, who have become a family to us.”

“I think the hardest part of cancer treatment is at the end when everyone assumes you’re cured, and you no longer need their help. This isn’t true. Believe me, this is when you’re at your absolute weakest. I have laid my child in a surgeon’s arms and spent Christmas keeping watch over him in ICU. I have slept upright in a hospital chair and listened to the beeping of machines. I have smiled through the tears and found strength when there wasn’t any left. I have done it all for Theo, who is at the end of the day just a very normal, very precious boy, full of mischief, quick to smile, and a big fan of Tractor Ted and Paw Patrol. Today, I need my friends and community to help me give Theo the best future he can have.”

Any help you can give this mother and her son will help them greatly and be much appreciated by them.

For more News go HERE 

To donate to the GoFundMe for Team up for Theo, go HERE

12 Days of Grinchmas Giveaway – Richard pictured above as Diva Grinch. Picture: Dermot Culhane

I Love Limerick’s 12 Days of Grinchmas Giveaway

Richard Lynch as Diva Grinch pictured with series co-writer Tracy Aspel in the web series ’12 Days of Grinchmas’. Picture: Kate Devaney/ilovelimerick

I know 2020 has been a hard year for all of us. I want you to know that I appreciate you reading my column, visiting our website and also following and interacting with I Love Limerick on social media. I love being able to write and share things that hopefully make a small bit of difference out in the world.

I want to give something to the people of Limerick to make you smile and not ask for anything in return. Since this past September, I have been planning and creating something special as my Christmas pressie from me to you.

It’s the season of gifting and to give back to you, I am running a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway with lots of festive cheer. But it’s no ordinary giveaway! It’s a 12 Days of Grinchmas Giveaway!

From Thursday, December 10, until Tuesday, December 22 on the I Love Limerick Instagram, we have 12 brilliant prize bundles to give away — just in time for Christmas. Each giveaway will be accompanied by a comedy sketch starring yours truly as Diva Grinch in ’12 Days of Grinchmas’, playing a demented female grinch who is determined to ruin Christmas and relishes terrorising the citizens of Wooooville (my beloved Limerick).

Each sketch will be featured on Instagram TV from December 10 and I spent countless hours prepping for the role. I wrote the script with brilliant improv comedienne Tracy Aspel, my makeup was created by the genius Jammy Makeup, my wigs were made by John Harnett of Bellissimo Limerick, the costumes were created by Teaspach Theatre’s Sharon Kiely and all the sketches were filmed beginning this past September by filmmaking maestro Luke Culhane.

12 Days of Grinchmas Giveaway – Thur, Dec 10, until Tues, Dec22 on @ilovelimerick Instagram, 12 brilliant prize bundles to give away. Each day with a comedy sketch starring @richanthon as Diva Grinch! #grichmas #12daysofgrinchmas #lovelimerick #richardknows #12daysofchristmas pic.twitter.com/oLZ0DJyLLH

— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) December 6, 2020

‘Tis the season for giving and we’ve got lots of fabulous festive prize packages lined up ready to give to 12 lucky winners. Fancy winning luxurious hampers, restaurant and retail vouchers or gift cards for hotel stays? Check back every day from December 10 to 22 on our Instagram and enter for each daily prize!

None of this would be possible without the help of all the local businesses who have donated their resources and gifts to the cause to make sure the people of Limerick have a great Christmas after such a difficult year.

I and the team of I Love Limerick want to thank you all for your continued support. What we have managed to accomplish would be impossible without you all and it is with this in mind that Diva Grinch comes to your screens to bring you joy and laughter in a year that has been filled with doubt and worry.

No matter what kind of year it is you can guarantee myself and the I Love Limerick crew will always be here to offer you good news and good fun throughout the whole year!

Merry Christmas everyone, we look forward to the new year now and hope 2021 will be a year of happiness, love, and laughter!

For more News go HERE

For more info on Richard Lynch go HERE