Members of Letterkenny Rotary Club marked the Club’s 40 years of service on Friday last, 6th May 2022 with a celebratory dinner in Castlegrove House Hotel, hosted by President Ed Wickes.
Among the many guests was Mr. Kenny Fisher, District Governor Elect, who congratulated the Club on its long record of service to the community of Letterkenny, Donegal, and further afield through their many and varied events, including the Christmas Tree of Remembrance, School Bikes for Africa, St Vincent de Paul, Letterkenny Tidy Towns, Food Bank Letterkenny, to name a few. He stated that Letterkenny members represent all that the founders of Rotary had aimed for back in 1910 when the movement started and that the Club can be truly said to be ‘punching about its weight’ and praised the members for their ongoing support and commitment.
Also in attendance was President Desmond Lynch, from Strabane / Lifford Rotary Club representing the original sponsors of the Letterkenny Club. The Vice President of Limavady Robert Blair was also present, together with President Catherine Robinson Rotary Club of Enniskillen. It was noteworthy that two of the original Founding Members attended too, namely Tony Murray and Ken Sharpe. Many of the Past Presidents down through the intervening 40 years were there, including Brian O’Reilly, Joe Gilmartin, Fintan Moloney, Robert O’Connor, Noel O’Connell, Cynthia Fuery, Arthur McMahon, Jim Moore, Seamus Kernan, Andy O’Boyle, Seamus Devine, Hazel Russell, Boyd Robinson, Ena Barrett, Paddy Blake, Sharon Black and Padraig McGinty.
Chamber Presidents at the Letterkenny Rotary Clubs 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last from left are Desmond Lynch, Lifford and Strabane, Kenny Fisher, District Govenor Nominee, Ed Wickes, Letterkenny, Catherine Robinson, Enniskillen, Werner Scheel, Derry and Robert Blaire, Limavady. Photo -Clive Wasson
The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honours Rotary can bestow upon a person. Recipients are Rotarians or community professionals, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their communities and ‘service above self’. Former recipients include Daniel and Majella O’Donnell (2014), Sean Doherty (2014), Rev Stewart Wright (2018) and Danny McDaid (2013) to name a few.
This year, Letterkenny Rotary Club honoured four people from the community for their outstanding unselfish service during their careers to date, Garda Tina Fowley for her exceptional community service and association with Little Blue Heroes, Brian McCracken, Manager of Letterkenny Shopping Centre for his charitable deeds including Ray of Sunshine S Africa and Noahs Bed Push; and Rotarians Ena Barrett (Relay for Life and other Rotary functions), and lastly Ken Sharpe for his outstanding generosity in ‘service above self’ to NWHB, Donegal Hospice, and the Little Angels Association among others.
Paul Harris Fellowship Award recipents Brian McCracken, Garda Tina Foley, Ina Barrett and Ken Sharpe with Letterkenny Rotary Club President, Ed Wickes at the Letterkenny Rotary Clubs 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Many thanks to all the Rotary Club Members, partners and guests for making this a truly memorable occasion celebrating of 40 years of Rotary in Letterkenny, and we look forward to many more to come. Weekly meetings take place at the Station House Hotel on Tuesdays at 1pm, and visitors are always welcome.
Photographs Credit Clive Wasson
Ed Wickes, Rotary President and Peter Cutliff at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Desiree Dunlop, Addis Blaire and Catherien Robinson Enniskillen Rotary Club at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Eileen Bradley and John Mcgovern at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Stewart Wright and John Murray at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Mary Murray and Eva Wrigth at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Paddy Delap, Kathleen Delap, Grace Friel and James Friel at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
PJ O’Brien, Grainne Doherty, Bernie Fowley and Paul McHugh at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Corneallius McMullan, Aisling McMullan, Sharon Geeley, Majella Convey, Mark Convey, Ina Barrett and Seamus Kernan at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Catherine Devine and Aoife Hill at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Robert O’Connor, Hazel O’Connor and Jim Nallen at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Brian McCormick, Lisa McCormick, Marie McGonigle and Seamus McGonigle at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Fintan Moloney, Wendy McGarey and Hazel Russell at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Paddy Delap, Mary Roache, Claire McNickle and Mary Murphy at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Anne Gilmartin and Ivan Furey at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Carnita Orange, Bettie Fisher and Dean Orange at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Tina Carr and Anne Carpenter at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Briana McCracken, Brian McCracken and Eoin Martin at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Andy O’Boyle, Ivan Furey, Jim Nallen and Mick Murphy at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Tim Kelly and Brendan Roache at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Sharon Black, Boyd Robinson and Grainne MacGinty at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
Ed Wickes, Letterkenny President, Patty doyle and Denis Doyle at the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Castle Grove Country House on Friday night last. Photo -Clive Wasson
