Tag Archives: Judith Ironside

JUDITH Ironside, a woman whose voluntarism permeated through local and national organisations all her life, died peacefully at home in Spanish Point this week. Wife of the late James Ironside, a well-known vet, Judith was a person who threw herself headlong into any projects she became involved in. She was a founding member of Ennis Soroptomists, one of whose most significant achievements was to set up Caring for Carers, subsequently to become Caring for Carers Ireland, with a presence in 23 counties. Judith was a great ambassador for West Clare in a quiet way, as she attended many prestigious functions over the years. She was especially proud of Spanish Point and Miltown Malbay and was involved in several committees who shared a common goal of working to achieve major social and infrastructural improvements in the area. She was an active member of the local Church of Ireland community and was a member of the committee responsible for the €22,000 restoration …

CARING for Carers Clare’s milestone 25th anniversary last week, was also the end of one era for the carers body and the beginning of another, as Clare has now merged with the national organisation, Caring for Carers Ireland. The anniversary was also marked with presentations to co-founder Judith Ironside and Clare branch president Maura Harding and with presentations of mementos to the chairpersons of the eight Clare groups that make up the branch. Among the 105 attending the dinner were Gwen Murray Flynn, president of Soroptimist International, Ennis & District and Eilish Smith, chairperson of the board of Caring for Carers Ireland. Caring for Carers was started in Ennis 25 years ago by Soroptimists’ Judith Ironside, Mary McMahon and Brigid Barron. It would become the nucleus of the national organisation that is now helping carers in 23 counties. Area manager, Susan Hogan, has been in the training and development role for the past 15 years and estimated that she has …