No-one left alone during Eve’s year as Network Ireland Limerick president

THE OUTGOING president of Network Ireland Limerick, Eve Stafford, has said the theme of her year in office was the need to  ensure people are not alone.

The well-known local soprano has led the group, which supports women in business and the arts, for the last year.

With the arrival of 2026, she is being replaced in the role by Barbara MacCarthy.

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And Ms Stafford has taken a moment to reflect.

Rather than prioritising future growth in numbers, she said the focus of Network Ireland Limerick in her year was strengthening existing relationships.

“One thing I was determined about was that no one would ever be left standing on their own,” she said.

“At every event this year, no matter where I turned, the committee made sure that people felt included. Seeing that carried through with such kindness was teamwork at its finest,” she said.

With this as a focus, it was perhaps appropriate that the network raised more than €4,000 at its Christmas celebration for Alone, a charity which supports older people experiencing difficulties such as loneliness, isolation, housing issues, illness, or poverty.

Other highlights of the year included an interactive networking event, a public speaking workship with Shirley Keane and a leadership keynote with Denise O’Brien.

Limerick Rose Leah McMahon also took part in an event looking at breaking barriers.

There was also a ‘purple Friday’ event for members, plus an address on ADHD and creativity with Dr Aine O’Dea.