Limerick Rotary Club's ribbon tree grows support for good causes

THREE well-deserving Limerick charities have received a timely boost thanks to the Limerick-North Munster Rotary Club.

Each Christmas, the club, whose members serve the community and raise funds for good causes, puts up a tree on Bedford Row.

Unlike most festive trees though, it is covered in yellow ribbons.

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People passing by the tree can write the name of a loved one they would like to remember at Christmas, tie it back on its branches and, should they wish, make a donation to the Rotary Club.

“All the ribbons are taken down when we finish before Christmas, and we take them across to the Augustinian Church, where

Fr Flor O’Callaghan has been most helpful to us down through the years,” explained founding Limerick-North Munster Rotary Club president Pat Kearney.

“We lay them on an altar for Mass, and a Mass is said for all the names of people on the ribbons.”
Money from donations was split evenly across three charities - the Cuan Mhuire addiction centre in Bruree, the Limerick branch of the Irish Red Cross and Limerick Mental Health Association.

Representatives of the three charities were present at a special luncheon at the Savoy Hotel to collect the cheques.

Above: Rotary Club president Brian Hurley presents Gary Griffin, Cuan Mhuire with a cheque from the Rotary Club of Limerick North Munster after its Christmas Tree appeal. Also pictured, Brian McCarthy and Aoife Power, Limerick Sports Partnership ,Chris Heaney and David Nesson.

Below: Brian Hurley presents Gina O'Dwyer and Linda Wixted, Limerick Red Cross with a cheque from donations to the Rotary Christmas Tree Appeal. Also pictured, Brian McCarthy, Aoife Power, Limerick Sports Partnership, Chris Heaney, Eamon Siochru and David Nesson

Mr Kearney said “a very satisfactory amount” was raised.

Rotary club members pick the charities which will benefit from the tree each year.

But there is one condition, the founding president stressed.

Above: Brian Hurley presents Ian Hackett and Lesh Reville, Limerick Mental Health Association with a cheque from the Rotary Club of Limerick North Munster following its Christmas Tree appeal. Also pictured, Brian McCarthy, Aoife Power, Limerick Sports Partnership, Chris Heaney, and David Nesson

“To qualify, charities need to have volunteers who will stand with us at the tree. There are charities in the city we would love to support, but sadly they wouldn't have any committees or helpers,” he said.

The annual rotary tree continues to be popular across Limerick, Mr Kearney said.

“People love it. It’s an institution. When we came back after Covid, people said they missed it so much. The response was very good as usual. We love meeting all the people who reliably come back to visit us every year,” he concluded.