Press Archives - RichardKnows

Jul 29

VIDEO Limerick 2020 bid Street Party

by richanthon in Art, Award, Awareness, Children, Community, Competition, Culture, Dance, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, Learning, Local Buisness, News, Press, Promo, Youth 0 comments 4545 0

Announcing details of the event at upper O’Connell Street, Limerick were, Catherine Ryan and Laura Malone of Fidget Feet with Limerick localTom Muldowney, Henry Street. Picture: Alan Place/ilovelimerick.

The excitement is building up as the countdown for the ECOC jury panel’s review of Limerick on Tuesday, July 12 starts coming closer. Limerick has got one last chance to push the city’s European Capital of Culture Limerick 2020 bid with a spectacular street party to celebrate the magical journey of the campaign.

While the ECOC jury panel reviews the city and the cultural institutions, thousands of the city’s citizens will get to indulge themselves in culinary delicacies, art and musical culture. The event will start up around midday and finish in the evening.

The public will be treated to various events including the Culture and Chips food carnival on O Connell Ave from noon onwards, a taste of international cuisine with the World Recipe Exchange, and lots of gatherings at venues such as the Hunt Museum, Howley’s Quay and O’Connell Street’s urban garden.

Daniel O’Connell’s whole block on upper O’Connell Street between Hartstonge Street and Barrington Street (the area known as The Crescent in the Georgian Quarter) will become party central as Culture & Chips Takes To The Streets from noon until evening.

If Limerick succeeds, it will indeed be historic. It’ll also be – according to estimates – worth around €170m to the city. Limerick won’t get to enter the European Capital of Culture again for another 15 years so that’s also why there is such a huge push to try and succeed.

The Limerick 2020 bid team makes its final presentation to the panel at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on July 14 and the winner being announced the following day. It’s a tough competition as Limerick competes against Galway, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny for the title.

Bid director Mike Fitzpatrick said that now is “the right time” for Limerick to earn the prestigious title. “Limerick is aware that the jury is in town, but it’s not about the jury; it is about having a moment to say, ‘Look how far we have come’ in terms of how culture has formed part of everyday life in Limerick. Whatever happens on July 15, whatever the decision is, culture will remain at the centre of what we do. It has given us so much confidence and belief in ourselves.”

Bid deputy director, Sheila Deegan, said the festive day “may go down as one of the most important days for the city.”

“Win or lose with the Limerick 2020 bid, we have achieved an awful lot and it is time to celebrate so we are asking that as many people as possible to turn out and enjoy this party with us. The journey has awakened a real sense of cultural identity in Limerick and a wider awareness of just how rich, diverse and talented our cultural heritage is. We were Ireland’s first City of Culture and we certainly showed over the course of that magical year just how much Limerick has found its cultural voice and it is now singing from the rooftops.”

SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

Limerick Street Food, run with Limerick Council: this weekly pretty market of tents will deck out on Harvey’s Quay on Tuesday 12, 11am to 4pm.
For a serving of culture with a side of chips, Culture & Chips Takes To The Streets in conjunction with Limerick 2020 are throwing a street party of food, culture, performance on Tuesday 12, 12.30pm-7pm at The Crescent, O Connell Ave.
The new Urban Garden on O’Connell Street will host the Gig in the Garden from 2.30pm: “an eclectic mix of home-grown talent” led by The Harmony in Hands Deaf Community Choir.
Hunt Museum Garden Party begins at 2.30pm with face painting and artists creating new works, all to a jazz accompaniment.
Children head to Ormston House for the Science Magic Show, 3pm, which promises “an explosive time with chemistry and magic to enthrall”.
International class pipe organist David Casson plays in concert free at Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent at 8pm. Part of Limerick Pipe Organ Festival.

Leben Building Neurological Centre Acute Stroke Unit at University Hospital Limerick

by richanthon in Awareness, Community, Health, Healthcare, I Love Limerick, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 5140 0

Colette Cowen, CEO University Hospital Limerick, Gerry Boland, JP McManus Trust; Prof. Niall O’Higgins, Hospital Trust, Una Anderson Ryan, Chairperson Parkinson’s Special Projects and Richard Lynch, I Love Limerick. Picture: Kieran Clancy.

A new era in the care of Parkinson’s patients at University Hospital Limerick has been marked with a ceremony this Friday at the newly opened Leben Building Neurological Centre/Acute Stroke Unit.

A plaque has been unveiled in recognition of the contribution of the Parkinsons Association of Ireland MidWest Branch in developing the unit and the generosity of JP and Noreen McManus and family.

The new unit opened in November 2015 and includes 24 inpatient beds, nine of which are dedicated to neurology, including Parkinson’s, patients. It was completed at a capital cost of approximately €3 million, with additional equipment costs being met jointly by the Parkinson’s Association and the HSE/UL Hospitals Group.

The unit takes up one floor of the six-storey, €16.5 million Leben Building, a project delivered through a development agreement between the HSE and three charities which came together to form Leben Developments Ltd; namely the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland/TLC4CF and the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust.

The unveiling ceremony took place during Parkinson’s Awareness Week and coincided with the launch at UHL of “Meds on Time”, a Parkinson’s Association campaign to ensure the timely administration of medication to patients in order to control their symptoms.

Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s with an incidence of one to two per 1,000 in the general population and one per 100 in the over-80s. It is accordingly estimated that there are approximately 680 people living with Parkinson’s disease in the Mid-West (Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary).

Speaking at the unveiling today, Una Anderson Ryan, Chairman of Special Projects, Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, said the new unit would greatly benefit the region’s growing Parkinson’s population. It was a far cry from the old ward 3B where Parkinson’s patients were treated in an environment unfit for purpose.

“The Mid-West Branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland have spent most of the past decade seeking to have a modern state-of-the-art facility in the region for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Thankfully, and at long last, our desire has been achieved and is evident for all to see at University Hospital Limerick. It has been a long and arduous task from design stage; involving architects and engineers, to financial and legal considerations, the tendering process and consequent monitoring at all stages of development,” Ms Anderson Ryan said.

“We believe that this new Neurological Centre will be a tremendous asset to the people of the Mid-West and the fact that it has been built at no cost to the state is hugely significant. The Parkinson’s Association here in the Mid-West is particularly indebted to JP and Noreen McManus and their family and we thank them for their munificence. The impact of the McManus family on the Mid-West Region is truly awesome and words do not exist to thank them fully and adequately,” she added.

That generosity has benefitted not only Parkinson’s but other neurology and stroke patients in the new unit.

Prof Declan Lyons, Consultant in Geriatric Medicine and Clinical Director, Medicine Directorate, UL Hospitals Group, commented: “Stroke is becoming more and more prevalent in Ireland as the population ages and is becoming a bigger and bigger part of what an acute hospital like UHL does. The technology, the drug treatment and the management of acute stroke patients has changed dramatically in recent years and that will continue to be the case.”

Richard with Nollaig Lonergan (Mid Western Hospitals Development Trust) , Sue Ann McManus (Pro-Am), Una Anderson Ryan (Chairperson of joint-committee) at the turning of the sod for the new Leben Building at the University Hospital Limerick in 2012. Picture: Paul Mullins

“That makes it all the more important to have the right facilities to deliver optimal care to stroke patients and that is what this new unit will help us to achieve. We are deeply grateful to the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, to the McManus family and to all of our own staff who have contributed to delivering this marvellous new unit for our stroke and neurology patients,” Prof Lyons said.

The contribution of the HSE and Department of Health in meeting much of the equipment costs in the stroke unit and in the wider Leben project was also acknowledged. The HSE has in addition met the costs of additional nursing, medical and allied health posts in the new unit, including in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and neuropsychology.

Meds on Time

The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland has also contributed to specialist staff training and awareness campaigns around Parkinson’s and the unveiling marked the commencement at UHL of the “Meds on Time” campaign.

Staff nurse Michael O’Halloran is one of seven nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy staff who, supported by the Parkinson’s Association and UL Hospitals Group, volunteered for a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist course at London’s South Bank University two years ago. That knowledge is now being applied for the benefit of Parkinson’s patients in the new unit.

“A working group focusing on the care of Parkinson’s Disease patients is now fully functioning and its aim is to provide up-to-date, evidenced-based, efficient, optimal care to Parkinson’s patients admitted to the ward,” said Mr O’Halloran.

“Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive, fluctuating neurological disorder. It occurs when the cells in the part of the brain that control movement are lost. These cells produce dopamine, a chemical that enables people to perform smooth co-ordinated movements. Without enough dopamine in the brain, everyday activities including walking, swallowing and even smiling are affected,” explained Mr O’Halloran.

“The main treatment for Parkinson’s Disease is medication and there are specific drugs which work by replacing or mimicking the actions of dopamine. Often people will be on a number of drugs, each of which must be taken throughout the day at specific times. These stimulate a carefully timed release of chemicals into the brain to allow a person with Parkinson’s to control their movements. The symptoms and progression of Parkinson’s Disease is unique to each individual. It may have taken a long time for the patient and specialist to establish the best individualised drug regime. Once a medication regime is disrupted, it may take hours, days or even weeks for a person’s Parkinson’s to stabilise .This can have serious consequences for ward management and the treatment for which the person was originally admitted. The patient is likely to require a higher level of care and an extended hospital stay – at a significant cost in both time and resources. There is an increased risk of accidents and falls, and in some cases the originally planned treatment may no longer be possible. The patient may also feel a loss of dignity and independence as well as the ability to communicate and exercise choice in their care,” Mr O’Halloran explained.

Dr Peter Boers, consultant neurologist, UL Hospitals Group, said: “It is a very well recognised phenomenon with Parkinson’s patients that their symptoms are time-dependent and that they have to take their medication at the correct time. When any patient comes in to hospital, there is a standard hospital prescription chart which has the times pre-specified – be it 8am, midday, 4pm and so on – but that might not suit the Parkinson’s patients. They might need their medication at 7.30am, 11.30am and so on and there is no provision for that on the pre-printed charts. What has to happen is there has to be an understanding among medical and nursing staff at ward level that the Parkinson’s patients medication has to be given at the time they take them at home. The particular time is very important.”

For more information about Parkinson’s Association Midwest, click here
Make sure to follow Parkinson’s Association on Twitter and Facebook
For more related stories by I Love Limerick, click here

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Apr 18

Lolas Ball Act for Menengitis fundraiser is a huge success!

by richanthon in Awareness, Charity, Community, Entertainment, Events, Fundraiser, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 5250 0

At Lolas Ball Act for Menengitis fundraiser – Richard with Leanne Moore, Siobhan Carroll, Founder of Act for Menengitis, Ruth Melling, Lola’s mam, Leah Melling, Lola’s sister, Dawn McGoldrick, Act for Meningitis, Hollie Nagle, Lola’s sister and Ross Nagle, Lola’s dad. Picture: Dolf Patijn/ilovelimerick.

Lolas Ball, an evening to remember Lola Jane Nagle took place this past Saturday in the Greenhills Hotel in aid of ACT for Meningitis. Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick was honoured to host the event with his good friend Leanne Moore and the night was very emotional, filled with love and a huge success!

On April 15 last year one family’s whole world was turned upside down when they tragically and suddenly lost their precious little girl Lola, aged just 17 months, to meningitis. Nothing could have prepared them for the devastation that losing a child would cause. Since then the family have worked tirelessly to prevent another family from going through their nightmare. Lola’s family wants to ensure that no one faces the meningitis journey alone.

Last June, an unbelievable crowd gathered today the AllStar Ink tattoo parlour, in Limerick City, for a Lola Nagle ACT for Meningitis Fundraiser. €19,924.28 was raised after a number of people donated money, or paid to get butterfly tattoos, in aid of the ACT for Meningitis organisation.

“We never thought meningitis would affect us but it did,” says event organiser and Lolas sister, the inspirational 17 year old Leah Melling. “We organised this ball to remember our beautiful little butterfly Lola, and to raise funds, but also to raise awareness of Meningitis because knowing the signs and symptoms may just save a life. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the people of Limerick.”

ACT for Meningitis is a national meningitis support and awareness charity based in Galway. Set up in 2011 by Siobhan and Noel Carroll following the loss of their 4-year-old daughter Aoibhe to this devastating disease. ACT for Meningitis aims to raise awareness, promote education and provide free support to anyone in Ireland affected by meningitis.

Entertainment was provided by Voice of Ireland contestant Niall O’ Halloran, Ciara Meade, lead singer of the well-known Limerick band Funk Junkies, MizDrea, Tiny Giants and upcoming singer songwriter Aaron Hackett, magician Steve Spade and comedienne Al Foran. Guests then danced the night away with DJs Ian McLoughlin and Party Marty.

People, who did not attend the ball, can still make a difference and offer their support to ACT for Meningitis.

Support Act for Meningitis here

Find Lolas Ball on Facebook

Read more on the I Love Limerick site here

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Mar 08

Young Social Innovators with Luke Culhane

by richanthon in Awareness, Children, Community, Culture, Dance, Education, Entertainment, Events, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, Learning, News, Press, Promo, School, Youth 0 comments 2910 0

Young Social Innovators from St. Munchin’s College, Limerick advocate for Team Limerick Cleanup at the Lime Tree Theatre. Pictured with Richard Lynch at the Speak Out were Jack Kingston, Sean Skelton, Andrew Tierney and Luke Culhane of #CreateNoHate. Picture: Derek Speirs.

21 schools have taken part in the Young Social Innovators Speak Out that took place in Limerick as part of the YSI Speak Out Tour 2016 which will visit seven counties throughout March and April. The Speak Out Tour is part of the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards supported by Ulster Bank.

Over 6,500 students throughout Ireland are taking part in Young Social Innovators this year working
in 450 teams to tackle social issues affecting them and their communities. 60 teams will be shortlisted to compete for the national title of Young Social Innovators of the Year on the 10th of May 2016 in Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre. Young Social Innovators challenges young people to work within their communities to identify areas of need and to come up with and implement solutions for positive social change.

Young Social Innovators with Luke Culhane

Young Social Innovators from St. Munchin’s College, Limerick advocate for road safety at the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick. Pictured with Richard Lynch of ilovelimerick.ie at the Speak Out sponsored by Ulster Bank were Jack Kingston, Sean Skelton, Andrew Tierney, Claire Culhane and Luke Culhane. Photo by Derek Speirs

The Speak Out Tour gives young innovators the opportunity to come together to present their creative ideas and actions as well as a chance to see what other teams are doing to tackle their chosen social issues. Teams are given two minutes on stage to present their social innovation to an audience of their peers, invited guests and a YSI Panel. The events give teenagers a platform and voice in society and a way of contributing to real life issues impacting on lives around Ireland and beyond. The teams that presented at the Speak Out in Lime Tree Theatre Limerick spoke on a wide range of issues including mental health, body image, autism and sexual and gender identity.

The guest speakers for the Limerick event were Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick and Luke Culhane from #createnohate, whose video about cyberbullying has gone viral and has been watched all over the globe.

The Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards is now in its 15th year. This year, 6,500 teenagers are working on 450 projects from 211 schools looking at a very diverse range of issues including integration, equality, crime, health, safety, homelessness, intergenerational initiatives and more. CEO of Young Social Innovators, Rachel Collier said: “YSI offers a unique opportunity for young people enabling them to grapple with difficult social issues, advocate reform and advance change. This experience boosts their ability to deal with uncertainty and change, a hallmark of today’s world.

YSI prepares young people for life and work and has both social and commercial value. We want young people to become innovators in their own lives and be resourceful in creating positive change and solutions in the world around them. The energy felt at these events must be experienced and we wish all the participants the best of luck in progressing their projects and continuing to advocate for change in their communities. We are of course grateful to Ulster Bank and all our partners for their support and look forward to increasing our reach and impact into the future.” Ulster Bank’s partnership with the programme is part of its ongoing commitment to fostering social innovation and entrepreneurship from a young age, and to build on its strong community legacy of education evident in its MoneySense and Skills & Opportunities fund programmes.

Speaking about YSI and the Speak Out Tour, Cathal Daly, Regional Manager, Retail Banking, Ulster Bank said: “One of Ulster Bank’s goals as a business is to enable growth through innovation which is why we’ve focused investment on financial education, entrepreneurship and skills programmes for young people. We want to inspire a new generation of social innovators. Our partnership with YSI extends beyond financial support, to include volunteering our business skills and insights – from our experience working in communities across the country – to help raise the voices of our talented youth who hold the future of positive change in this country in their hands.”

For more information about the event you can check out Young Social Innovators website here

Follow YSI on Facebook and Twitter

Follow Luke Culhane on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

For more related check out the I Love Limerick site here

Mar 05

Climb for Style

by richanthon in Awareness, Beauty, Business, Charity, Children, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Fundraiser, Health, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 5457 0

Will O’Brien (Be Fabulous), Sharon Tucker (Style Columnist), Asta Lee (Asta Lee Personal Development, Padraic Frawley (Cornstore Limerick), Richard Lynch (ILovelimerick), Sinead Clohessy (Specsavers Limerick). Photo: Jonathon Baynes/ilovelimerick

Specsavers Limerick is thrilled to announce that they are hosting an exclusive ladies luncheon Climb for Style in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital on Friday April 15th 2016, in the Cornstore, on Thomas Street in Limerick. All proceeds from the event, hosted by Richard Lynch of ‘I Love Limerick’, will go towards the refurbishment of The Department of Ophthalmology in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Sinead Clohessy, Chairperson of Specsavers Ireland said, “This year is an extra special year for the Specsavers Limerick stores, as Limerick native and Specsavers staff member Tony Power has pledged to climb to base camp of Mount Everest this June, for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. Tony’s incredible generosity and determination will see the money raised from his initiative going towards the refurbishment of The Department of Ophthalmology, which typically diagnoses and treats over 10,000 children annually, making it one of the busiest departments within the hospital.”

Specsavers Limerick is encouraging locals to climb on board with the store’s efforts and join them for the ultimate ladies day out. Kicking off at midday, guests will have the chance to win a covetable selection of prizes as they enjoy a day of relaxation, fun, music and fashion.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a glass of prosecco. Once seated, guests will be served a delicious three course meal and entertained with all things glamourous for the day. If that’s not enough, Limerick’s favourite style and beauty gurus will be on hand to talk to guests about the latest trends, whilst sharing insider top tips and tricks.

One of Limerick’s most vibrant personalities, Richard Lynch will be your host for the day. Joining him will be fashion guru Will O’Brien, make up expert Fiona McNamara, style columnist Sharon Tucker and skincare specialist Ita O’Donnell.

Will O Brien from Be Fabulous Limerick will be talking you through how to select that all-important special occasion gown. Asta Lee from the Asta Lee Development Agency will join Will to give tips on how to find that perfect pose.

Fiona McNamara has become a household name in the Irish makeup industry as she has done many workshops for Irish blogger Suzanne Jackson aka SoSueMe. Fiona will be advising all you ladies on makeup bag essentials for everyday beauty. Ita O’Donnell of the Otto Clinic, will be talking you through skincare tips and how to get that healthy glow before summer.

Sharon Tucker, Limerick Chronicle style columnist, will be helping all you ladies with dressing for your body shape and embracing your curves.

Asta Lee (Asta Lee Personal Development), Sinead Clohessy (Specsavers Limerick), Sharon Tucker (Style Columnist), Will O’Brien (Be Fabulous), Richard Lynch (ILovelimerick), Photo: Jonathon Baynes/ilovelimerick.

At the event Specsavers will also be launching the highly anticipated new Love Moschino eyewear collection and Kay Mulcair, owner of The K Boutique will be on hand introducing the new Love Moschino clothing collection for Spring/Summer.

The Climb for Style Ladies Luncheon in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital takes place on Friday April 15th 2016 at noon, in the Cornstore, Thomas Street, Limerick. Tickets are priced at €75 and are available to buy online at [email protected] or call Dee at 085 111 6514.

Follow the hasgtag #LimerickClimbForCrumlin on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for event updates.

Feb 25

Honouring Aaron supporting childrens charities

by richanthon in Awareness, Charity, Children, Community, Events, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Promo, Support 0 comments 3121 0

Honouring Aaron supporting childrens charities because children matter

The official launch of Honouring Aaron and its new website took place in the George Boutique Hotel on Monday February 22. The organisation took this opportunity to proudly announce their chosen charities who will benefit from a range of fundraising initiatives during 2016. Honouring Aaron, previously titled ‘Remembering Aaron’, was established in 2015 in memory of Aaron O’Flaherty who tragically passed away in 2014 at Temple Street Children’s Hospital after an accident at the Blackhead Lighthouse, Co. Clare. The aim of Honouring Aaron is to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital and also a number of children’s charities in Limerick.

Cecelia, Aaron’s mom and founder of the organisation, remains entirely grateful for the work and support shown by the people of Temple Street during such a traumatic time “They were so good to him. They were all touched by Aaron in the time he was there and treated us with dignity and kindness,” Cecelia said. In 2015, Honouring Aaron raised funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital along with two charities Bumbleance and Cliona’s Foundation, plus two Limerick based organisations, Claughauns GAA and Limerick Lakers Basketball. These were selected as they had touched Aaron’s life in one-way or another.

At the launch in the George Boutique Hotel in Limerick, it was announced that Temple Street will remain as the main beneficiary of Honouring Aaron for 2016 along with three Limerick based charities; The Blue Box, Ian’s Trust and Sophie’s Journey Foundation, each benefiting from the upcoming year’s fundraisers. The Blue Box Creative Learning Centre provides trained professionals to Limerick schools and families to help children through difficult times using creative arts therapies.

Ian’s Trust provides funds to support families of children who suffer from Acquired Brain Injury. The trust was set up by Orla Cusack in memory of her son who passed away in 2012 after suffering from a severe acquired brain injury following a road accident in 2008. Liam and Stacey Mulcahy founded Sophie’s Journey Foundation in January 2015 in memory of their daughter who sadly passed away from kidney failure in 2014. They support families who are caring for children with life limiting conditions.

Speaking at the launch was the official ambassador for Honouring Aaron, community activist and founder of ILoveLimerick.com Richard Lynch. “I am honoured to be representing Honouring Aaron. Each charity the Foundation has chosen to support this year offers invaluable support to families in aid, because children matter. Honouring Aaron is Cecilia’s way of giving back to a community that was so supportive of her, as well as a way to honour her late son, by doing something positive.” Cecilia, a Civil Defence officer, acknowledged the support offered by the people of Limerick saying that it has been “overwhelming”. She added, “I am thrilled to announce that this May the #Aarthon will be taking place as part of the Barrington’s Great Limerick Run to raise awareness for Honouring Aaron, and raise vital funds for our selected charities and I am asking people to please take part in the run on our behalf. I am also pleased to announce that this year the Kids Run in the University of Limerick will be in honour of Aaron.”

Take a look at the Honouring Aaron site here

Check out the Honouring Aaron Facebook here and Twitter here

Read more on the I Love Limerick site here

Feb 24

Celia Holman Lee exhibition at Hunt Museum

by richanthon in Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, I Love Limerick, Inspirational, News, Old Posts, Press, Pride, Promo, Video 0 comments 5504 0

Celia Featured image

On Wednesday 4th March, the launch of Celia Holman Lee exhibition ‘Celia Holman Lee: Limerick’s Style Icon’ took place in The Hunt Museum.

Mary Kennedy, from RTE’s Nationwide and Celia’s close friend, was there on the night to help launch the exhibition. In her speech, Mary mentioned ‘Celia is a champion of Limerick and Irish design, and it’s lovely that The Hunt Museum is putting on this exhibition in this, the year of Irish design. She is a great person for supporting the Limerick boutiques. It is a wonderful asset to the city of Limerick.”

On the night, Celia said ‘I’m overwhelmed, I’m honoured. I’m so proud of Limerick design because 99% of the clothes that are on show are manufactured here in the area of Limerick over the past 30 years that I have been wearing them. There is a story from every single one of them and it makes me think back on many wonderful memories. She joked about her husband complaining about all her clothes in the loft, saying ‘at long last I’ve cleaned out the loft Ger!”

Mary Kennedy, Celia Holman Lee and Richard Lynch at the launch of Celia Holman Lee’s exhibition in The Hunt Museum.

Celia Holman Lee is a well known fashion commentator and television presenter along with being a respected model and agent. Both nationally and internationally-recognised, she has been active in the fashion industry for five decades. During this time she has received a myriad of awards and plaudits. She was voted by the public as the winner of the first ever VIP Style Awards in 2002 and has not been off the country’s Best Dressed lists since. Throughout her career she has continually promoted Irish designers, gathering an extensive collection of their work which the Hunt Museum is delighted to showcase in Celia Holman-Lee: Limerick’s Style Icon from March 5th to May 3rd.

Celia began modelling at the age of 15 while she was still at school after being approached while working as a shop assistant in a boutique in Limerick. Her early career as a model saw her featured in magazines, newspapers and fashion brochures and she subsequently started the Holman Lee Agency when she was 22 and it is now the longest established model agency in Ireland.

Over the years she has developed her signature style, appropriately glamorous on the “red carpet” and classically chic in her everyday life. She has always been a great supporter of Irish designers and has generally favoured them for some of the landmark occasions of her life, from choosing a figure hugging cerise dress by Limerick knitwear designer Caroline Mitchell for her only daughter Cecile’s wedding to a bronze sequinned strapless dress from designer John McNamara for her 60th birthday party. Amongst the renowned Irish designers’ clothes hanging in her wardrobe and due to be featured in the upcoming Celia Holman-Lee: Limerick’s Style Icon at the Hunt Museum are a selection from Michelina Stacpoole, Paul Costelloe, Miriam Mone, Patrick Casey, Joanne Hynes, Aideen Bodkin, Marian Murphy Cooney, Vonnie Reynolds, Peter O’Brien and Don O’Neill along with some custom made outfits from local designers Alison Cowpar, Fiona Whyte, Mariam O’Donovan, Linda Wall and Clair Costelloe.

Celia Holman Lee in her early modelling career in the 1970s.

Celia Holman Lee exhibition at Hunt Museum

Celia Holman Lee in her early modelling career in the 1970s.

Celia has also gathered an amazing archive of press clippings from magazines and newspapers spanning the many decades of her career including cover-shots from magazines along with lots of magazine photos features on Celia with many featuring some of the outfits that will feature in the Hunt Museum exhibition Celia Holman-Lee: Limerick’s Style Icon. She also has many photos from her early modelling career in the 1970s and some very interesting original brochures with her modelling for Shannon Airport Duty Free Mail Order and various other companies during that time period.

https://youtu.be/9ZNv7HUTjqk

For more information, check out Celia’s Facebook here
and her Twitter here.
For more information about Hunt Museum, click here.
Check out the Hunt Museum’s Twitter here and their Facebook here.
For more stories about Celia, click here.

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 4113 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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