Tag Archives: Milford hospice

A FESTIVE house in Ennis has been lighting up the faces of both the young, and the young at heart. For the second year in a row, Gerry Keane has transformed his Ashfield Park house with a dazzling display of Christmas lights in every colour and style imaginable, all in the name of charity. Gerry said people are welcome to come along and see the house and take photographs and he is encouraging those who visit to make a donation to Milford Hospice. He explained that he first began decorating the house about four years ago, for his grandson, Sean, and he was encouraged last year to use the interest in his home to raise money for charity. “I started, about four years ago, to make a big deal of Christmas for my grandson and I decided to keep going from there. Then, last year, Mary Howard said to me, why don’t I help get money for charity. I’d never …

Ennis woman Anne Marie Hayes has been championing the role played by Milford Hospice in the provision of end-of-life palliative care to hundreds of people from Clare and the Mid West region over the years. Milford Care Centre is the designated specialist palliative care service provider for Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. It operates through consultant-led teams of professionals at Milford Hospice inpatient unit in Castletroy and its Hospice At Home care teams, working in conjunction with doctors and local support bed units across the region Ann Marie’s job as one of the Milford Care Centre team is an onerous one. She is the fundraising co-ordinator and it hasn’t been easy tapping the public for financial support, particularly during the economic downturn and at a time when people been forced to tighten their financial belts. Undaunted, however, it’s been a case of carry on regardless and the onus is on her shoulders to come up with creative and imaginative ideas …

THE death has occurred of Fr Oliver O’Doherty, retired parish priest of Dunkerrin, County Offaly. He was very well-know in Clare as a teacher at St Flannan’s College, where he was involved in training football teams. Born on July 11, 1939, he was a native of Templederry, County Tipperary and was a priest of the Diocese of Killaloe for 51 years. He was a past pupil of St Flannan’s College, Ennis. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth where he was ordained on June 21st 1964. Fr O’Doherty’s first appointment was in Loughrea, County Galway, during which he also studied for the H Dip. Ed in UCG. In September 1965, he was appointed to teach in St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny and the following year was recalled to the diocese to teach in St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon. In July 1968 he was appointed to St Flannan’s College, Ennis where he taught until 1993, becoming vice president in …

THE Ryan family in Newmarket endured a very difficult emotional rollercoaster in the spring of 2009. The birth of Abbey Ryan, the first granddaughter in their extended family, on March 3, 2009 brought great joy to everyone. However, the death of her father, Pakie, (34) in early April, left a cloud hanging over the entire family. The sports fanatic and Newmarket character would have been 40 on Monday, January 26. During his illness, Pakie received great support from his wife, Frances, relatives, friends and the local community. His father, Christy recalls Pakie repeatedly said there were people much worse off than him, even in the middle of his cancer battle. Two or three years after his death, it struck Christy that Pakie had 34 years of happiness, he was never sick and never in hospital. Frances describes the spring of ’09 as a “battle of emotions”, which was a bit too much for everyone to take in, as there was …

FORMER Munster and Irish rugby legend Alan Quinlan has launched the Milford Hospice 10km fundraising event, due to take place at the end of the month. The 10km run/walk will take place on Sunday, January 25 at the University of Limerick, with a new start time of 12 noon. Alan said, “I am delighted to be associated with this event. With so many people getting fit after all the Christmas festivities and with new-year resolutions in place, what better way to start the new year than by participating in the Milford Hospice 10km fun run/walk. I encourage everyone to participate. Bring your friends, family and neighbours. Everyone is welcome to come out and support Milford Hospice.” The 10km is open to runners and walkers of all levels and ability, with all of the proceeds going directly to Milford Hospice. Pat Quinlan, chief executive of Milford Care Centre, said, “This event has become a popular annual fun activity and the community …

MILFORD Hospice is encouraging people to remember someone special this Christmas by dedicating a light on Milford’s Christmas tree. A light  can be lit  to remember both living and deceased relatives and friends who won’t be with us this year. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Light Up A Memory event, an important fundraiser for the Hospice. More importantly, the event is an opportunity to pause and reflect, remembering perhaps a person who has died, a son or daughter who has emigrated and is unable to come home this year, or someone who, for some other reason, may not be able to spend this special time of the year with us. “It’s an occasion that offers a memorable start to the season and since Light Up A Memory began in 1999, it has offered great comfort to so many people,” said Pat Gilmartin of Milford Hospice Friends. “At this time of the year, many people come to remember their loved ones …