A Warm Wexford Welcome

Wexford-Soroptimists-web

Originally uploaded by Joyz Life.

Photo: Joy, Jean Ruddock, Eleanor Doyle, Eileen Hurlihy and Mary O’Gara.

Once again Don and I were the grateful beneficiaries of the hospitality of Soroptimists – this time in Ireland. On Friday, May 4, former Soroptimist Ireland National President and Wexford Club member Eileen Herlihy and several Wexford Soroptimist Club members broke away from their work days and hosted Don and me for coffee and scones on the terrace at the Ferrycarrig Hotel. The setting on the river was gorgeous and the ladies made us feel right at home. Our lively conversation ranged from politics to pensions to health insurance and more. Eleanor, whose family is an old Wexford family, helped Don develop some leads to his family roots in Wexford (watch for Johnstown Castle blog).

Besides acting as a local historian, Eleanor is a farmer; Jean is a relationship counselor; Eileen is a retired maths teacher and manager of a school of music, which she founded and operates; and Mary is also a retired teacher.

The Wexford Club is 25 members strong and meets monthly. The club has most recently organized two gowned balls to raise 31,000 € for Special Olympics (that’s about $42,000 US).

This year’s club projects are a local women’s shelter and also the National Rehabilitation Center (DUN LAOGHAIRE) which provides treatment for people with traumatic brain injuries.

The Club also sponsors a young woman in a Soroptimist All-Ireland public speaking competition. the competition was started 25 years ago to encourage public speaking skills in young women and to help heal the rift between Northern and Southern Ireland. There is a winner from each, who then share accommodations at the Soroptimist Ireland Conference.

Eileen says they make a point of balancing good works and good fun. In the summer, instead of having formal meetings, they host social gatherings for club members in their homes –– which Eileen described as good fun and a good fundraiser.

They have paired up with the Avignon (France) Soroptimist Club and are getting ready to host a small group from that club.

Thanks so much to Eileen and the other Wexford members for another great Soroptimist memory.