Cheers to three decades of laughter, fun and memories
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Some of the volunteers at Killucan Raharney Golden Years Club cutting the cake on Friday May 9 last to mark its 30th anniversary.Image 2 of 13
Annette Farrell, Julie Doyle and Lily Fleming on Friday evening.Image 3 of 13
Brendan McKeogh and Billy Jenkinson at the 30-year party.Image 4 of 13
Imelda Doyle from Killucan and Pauline Jenkinson from Delvin.Image 5 of 13
Kay Sheridan, Rosaleen O’Rafferty and Anne Wilders at the 30th party.Image 6 of 13
Ken Wilders and Teresa Quinn from Kinnegad.Image 7 of 13
Michael and Margaret Plunkett from Rochfortbridge with Frances and Eugene Corrigan from Killucan.Image 8 of 13
Ann Keegan from Killucan and Nonie Farrelly from Raharney.Image 9 of 13
Anna O’ Keeffe and Margaret Mulligan from Killucan.Image 10 of 13
Anne Dugdale, Anne Carroll and Anne O’Reilly busy in the kitchen.Image 11 of 13
Kathleen Smullen and Rita Fahy from Mullingar with Phyliss McKeon from Ballinalack.Image 12 of 13
Teresa Lynch and Patricia Sheridan from Kinnegad.Image 13 of 13
Fr Stan Deegan with Brigid O’Brien and Matt Leavy, who supplied the entertainment.When Killucan Raharney Golden Years Club was formed in 1995 by a group of local women, it had a membership of 35 people; when it celebrated its 30th birthday on Friday May 9, it had more than 80 members.
Their evening began with Mass at 4.30pm, followed by dinner at 6pm and music and dance for the rest of the night.
Club meetings are fortnightly and include hot three-course meals, activity and entertainment for members.
Soon after the club began, it became evident that transport was an issue for people that wanted to attend, and, in 2003, with support from the HSE, the club bought a 16-seat adapted minibus so that as many members as possible could get to the centre.
Since then, the club has expanded its transport facility and now offer a thrice weekly bus service to and from Mullingar, where members and other locals can do the weekly shopping, attend medical appointments, or just, enjoy days out. The service is provided with the support of Longford Westmeath Roscommon Local Link.
Members also go on outings to places like Sligo Folk Park, Clonmacnoise, Knock and other interesting places. In recent times they have also enjoyed short breaks and as many as 40 people regular go on those. They celebrate Christmas with a party and a visit from Santa, and the club birthday every year. In this, its 30th year, members hope to celebrate it with entertainment and events throughout the year.
My name is Anne Carroll, a volunteer with the Killucan Raharney Golden Years Club, said: “I would like to say that none of this would be a reality without the support and attendance of the members themselves and the continuous work of the voluntary committee and of course the many people and organisations that have provided funding and support.”