Largest gathering for Troy charity BBQ

The annual charity barbecue hosted by local TD, Robert Troy, attracted what he thinks was its largest gathering, for this year’s event, held on Saturday event at Caffrey’s Lounge on Mount Street, Mullingar.

Robert normally hosts the event at his own house, and this year he decided to move it, partly because of the weather forecast, which threatened rain, and Caffrey’s have a suitable covered space.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner on Sunday, Robert said: “This not a Fianna Fáil event, it’s a non-political event, and it was good to see supporters of many political parties there last night, and members of the Mullingar and wider community coming out to support a charity event.

“I was delighted that my colleague Jim O’Callaghan (Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) came down for the occasion and mingled and met a lot of the people there. People were happy to engage with Jim but ultimately the night is a social night coming together to raise much-needed funds for a particular local charity, and this year the charity of choice was the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, with the money being ring-fenced for dementia services in Mullingar.

“My father unfortunately has dementia, and has benefited hugely from availing of the daycare centre in Multyfarnham. I know the incredible good work that has been done there and indeed at the dementia services throughout the county, so I just wanted to give something back.”

Robert expressed his gratitude to “the huge number of people that turned up to support the event and thank Cafferys for the hire of their venue”.

He said it was the first time he had moved it from his home but he wanted to make sure it was weather resilient and Cafferys has a covered beer garden.

“I want to thank Wines Direct for the sponsorship of wine, Mojo’s for the sponsorship of beer, Buckley’s SuperValu for the sponsorship of food, Wholesome Kitchen for the sponsorship of desserts, the kitchen of Liz Gilhooley for some food and of course Eamonn McGowan, Irene and Brian McGowan, who cooked the food, Billy Collentine, Teresa Collentine, Rose Collentine, Pat Miller and Bernie Donoghue, and Leanne Taitt and Wendy Crumb from the Alzheimer Society, who helped on the night.

“It really was made such a difference to have so many people helping, ensuring that when people came in, they had an enjoyable night, their food was served, their drink was served and I think people enjoyed it, people held on and stayed on for a long period of time and so I’m really happy this morning that it went so well.” Robert and the team from the Alzheimer Society won’t have a final figure on the funds raised till after the contents of the donation buckets are counted, and they will have a formal cheque presentation in due course.

He concluded: “I just want to thank everybody for coming to support it, people who gave so generously and the people who volunteered in the days leading up to the event and that event last night to make it the success that it was.”