Everyone welcome in sensory garden

A corner of the Tranquilly Garden in Mullingar has taken on a new purpose for the summer – as a sensory garden developed by the members of Mullingar Arch Club.

Opened last Thursday, the garden is a beautifully bright addition to the park next to Mullingar library, and everyone is welcome to drop by, Claire Garry, chairperson of Mullingar Arch Club, told those gathered for the official opening.

Explaining the background, Claire pointed out that the pandemic health restrictions meant that many things changed for the members of the club, as for everyone else.

“Their day services were annihilated [including the service formerly on Delvin Road, where more than 100 people attended each day] so we wanted to put something together that would be theirs, that they know where it is, they can come here, they’re safe here,” she said.

“They were all involved in making the elements, so it includes everybody – and also the people of the town can come in, to read a book, to relax and enjoy it.”

Addressing those gathered in the sunshine of last Thursday afternoon, Claire said: “We’re so happy to see you all; thanks a million for coming down. We’ll be doing lots of things here during the summer, learning how to make wind chimes, a bit of gardening – so anybody that wants to get involved, get in touch.

“It’s been a tough 18 months for everybody, things have changed a lot, as we know, and like everybody in the country, we have to get used to it and just roll with it. Now we have the summer outside, where it’s safe to meet up, so people can come here, have lunch, chill out, relax, and we’re going to have movies and events like that as well.”

Claire thanked Westmeath County Council, “who have always been hugely supportive of Mullingar Arch Club”, for assistance with the project, and in particular, Deirdre Reilly, director of service, “who helped us secure this site for the summer; also Westmeath Arts Office and Miriam Mulrennan and Elizabeth Kerrigan, we’re grateful to them as well, and the volunteers and staff who work with Mullingar Arch Club, particularly Bob and Katie, Hanine and the countless numbers of people who are constantly in the background helping to run classes and events – and there’s going to be loads more to come”.

Ms Reilly also spoke on behalf of the county council: “I welcome this temporary arrangement, the sensory garden, it’s a great addition to the Tranquillity Park, and it will come in really nicely over the summer when we’re spending more time outdoors and we wish the Arch Club all the best with the facility.”

How R U? campaign

Members of the Mullingar Community Policing Unit were also present at the opening, and Sgt Roger Nicholson, took the opportunity to tell the Westmeath Examiner about the ‘How R U?’ campaign (see elsewhere in this edition).

He said: “We’re delighted to be associated with the Mullingar Mental Health Association in their campaign How RU? It’s such a vital thing to speak to everybody and check how they are; we all like when somebody says it to us, so we should make the effort to speak to others.

We’d like to see people make an extra effort to get involved with the campaign on June 21, and we hope people will continue with it.

Don’t be afraid to come and ask the gardaí for any assistance with any issue you have with your life, and if we haven’t got the answer, we will get it for you.”

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