Brewing up a storm in Limerick village for 'longest' coffee morning in Ireland
IT’S BEEN brewing for three years but the longest coffee morning in Ireland is back on the local calendar.
It takes place on Friday, April 14 in Mike O’Donoghue’s house in Dromlara, Pallasgreen. All funds raised on the day will go to the Irish Cancer Society.
“We will start at 7am and God only knows what time we will finish at. We will be there as long as people are there,” smiled Mike, aged 72.
It all started back in 2015 when Mike, Saoirse Corbett, Tara Campbell, Sarah Dillon started the fundraiser. It grew bigger and bigger over the years but had to be called off in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to Covid.
Instead, they held three 24 hour fasts and sleep-outs on the grounds of Nicker church. In the intervening years, Mike, Saoirse, Tara, Sarah have been joined by Aine Looby, Maurice Barrett, Ellie and Sarah Phelan and they have become collectively known as the “mighty eight”
To date – between the coffee mornings and sleep-outs – over €70,000 has been raised for the Irish Cancer Society.
The last coffee morning in 2019 lasted 17 hours and 20 minutes with 455 men, women and children coming through Mike’s front door for a cup of coffee or tea and a slice of cake. And Mike is looking forward to boiling many kettles on Friday, April 14.
“It is fantastic to be back to normality. It lovely to have people meeting and chatting again over a cup of tea,” said Mike, who is a bowel cancer survivor.
He said they have got incredible support from local businesses and neighbours and promises nobody will go away hungry due to the array of desserts that will be on display.
“Everybody is welcome and I mean everybody. If all you can afford is €1 you can have your cup of tea and a slice of cake and have a chat,” said Mike.
During the day a tree will be planted and a plaque unveiled in memory of all those affected by cancer.