Coole Older Persons Ecumenical Service
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Coole Older Persons Ecumenical Service, (back) Phil Brennan, PJ Kennedy, Cliff Gurren, Mary Dolan, Eugene O’Neill, Ann Dowd, Ann Cullen, Rita Etherson, Mary Malone, Marian McGlynn, Sheila Robinson; (middle) Betty Moran, Marguerite Finnegan McLoughlin, Eileen Roddy, Mary Fivey, Colette Dunleavy, Mary Bruton, Patty Dunleavy, Kathleen Reilly, Ann Fagan; (front) Fr Oliver Skelly, Mattie Rooney, Annie Fagan, Maureen Coughlan, Theresa O’Neill, Carmel Fitzsimons, Martin Fitzsimons, Margaret Cunningham, and Fr Patrick Moore.Image 2 of 5
Ann Dowd, Eugene O’Neill and Mary Dolan.Image 3 of 5
Fr Patrick Moore and Fr Oliver Skelly who led the Ecumenical Services for the Older Persons Group in Coole.Image 4 of 5
PJ Kennedy, Mattie Rooney, Phil Brennan, Collette Donleavy, Cliff Gurren and Betty Brady, pictured at the alter to honour deceased members of the Coole Older Persons Group.Image 5 of 5
Chairperson of the Coole Older Persons group, Phil Brennan.A bright and frosty morning greeted members of the Coole Older Persons group who attended an ecumenical service for deceased members in Coole Hall on Wednesday last week.
Led by Fr Moore and Fr Oliver Skelly, the service was followed by warming tea and scones, and a general chat.
Chairperson, Phil Brennan, said the group has been going strong for 27 years and is always open to new members.
“And they don’t have to be elderly, we take anyone over 21,” she said. “This group is for the community and it started originally to cater for people living on their own, for all age groups, both male and female, to create a social outlet.
“We’re going 27 years at this stage, and we meet in the Hall every Wednesday, 10.30am-noon. We have music and dancing, and experts come in to talk to us about gardening, exercise, and keeping healthy.”
This year they visited Belvedere and Kilbeggan, as well as poet Patrick Kavanagh’s homeplace in Monaghan (Phil is a native of “the stony grey soil” herself).
“It’s so important to be involved in community life, it brings a whole new social outlet for people,” said Phil, who was involved in the ICA, and was a founding member of Age Action Ireland.
“Next up we have Santa coming to visit us in the hall, on December 13. We’ll have the blessing of the crib, followed by Santa, who will be talking to all the local school children. Then our group will go for lunch in the Castle Varagh Hotel in Castlepollard.”
If anyone would like to join the group in the new year, contact Phil, or go along to Coole Hall on Wednesday mornings.