More alcohol free social evenings in Carrick-on-Suir planned after success of first event

The inaugural Sober, Sip ‘n’ Chat alcohol free social evening in Carrick-on-Suir attracted such a good public turnout that there are plans to host similar events in the town several times a year.

The Keep Coffee Shop at Greenside in Carrick-on-Suir was packed with customers of all ages for the Friday evening social gathering hosted by the Suir Valley Community Based Drugs Initiative on February 27.

Gail Sheridan, community drugs worker with Suir Valley CBDI, said the event was organised as there was a need in Carrick-on-Suir for a space for people to socialise without alcohol or other substances. “It was for everybody who would like to have an alcohol and substance free night out,” she said.

Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service Manager Claire O’Neill, HSE Drugs Education Officer John Leahy and Suir Valley Community Based Drugs Initiative worker Gail Sheridan at 'Sober Sip ‘n’ Chat' evening in The Keep Coffee Shop in Carrick

A well-known figure at the social evening was former Tipperary hurling star John Leahy, who helped organise the event as part of his role as a HSE Drugs Education Officer.

The Sober, Sip ‘n’ Chat event ran from 6pm to 8pm. Guitarists Johnny Hennessy, who works at Dungarvan CBDI and his nephew Kian provided the musical entertainment while the patrons enjoyed a chat over their coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages.

“The coffee shop was full, we ran out of seats,” reported Gail, who pointed out the event was attended by a wide range of people from families with children to couples and older people.

“We were delighted with it and I am working to get the event funded on a quarterly basis for this year, and looking beyond it could be held more regularly.”

Gail said Suir Valley CBDI is in talks with the National Voluntary Drugs & Alcohol Sector about securing funding to organise further alcohol and substance free social events.

They surveyed people attending the event to find out what kind of non-alcohol and substance free social events they would like organised in the future ranging and the Sober, Sip 'n Chat format was the most popular option.

Gail paid tribute to owners and staff of The Keep Coffee Shop for their support.

“We approached them and asked if they would be interested.

“They were very good to deal with and more than happy to work with us, opening the shop outside their regular hours for the event.”

Indeed, The Keep was one of the three sponsors of the inaugural Sober, Sip ‘n’ Chat evening. Its other sponsors were Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Services and the HSE.

Margaret Maher, Linda Ahearn and Martina Grace enjoy the Sober, Sip ‘n’ Chat evening in the Keep Cafe in Carrick-on-Suir

Check out more photos from the Sober, Sip 'n' Chat event in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops. 

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