Remembrance Tree is a highlight of the festive season in Tipperary

Above: Clonmel Rotary Club launched its annual Christmas Remembrance Tree in aid of South Tipperary Hospice at an event in Mulcahy Park on Monday. Pictured are, from left, Tom Duggan, Clonmel Rotary Club, project chairman; Liz Binchy, South Tipperary Hospice; Seamus Ryan, Clonmel Rotary Club; Cllr Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel, who launched the Remembrance Tree; Sean O’Donovan, South Tipperary Hospice; and Maud Shee, South Tipperary Hospice. Picture: John D Kelly

Remembering loved ones who have passed away is a feature of Christmas in Ireland. It is a time of reflection and remembrance.

That’s especially true in Clonmel where the Rotary Club hosts its annual Christmas Remembrance Tree. It not only allows people to remember family and friends who are no longer with us, but to support such a worthy cause as the South Tipperary Hospice homecare nursing service at the same time.

Plans have now been finalised for this year’s fundraiser, one of the highlights of the festive season in Clonmel.

The tree has been a feature in the town for many years in the run-up to Christmas and has always been generously supported by the people of Clonmel and those who visit from outside for Christmas shopping.

As in previous years, trees will be located at O’Connell Street, outside Dealz, and at Dunnes Stores in Davis Road. The campaign will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 12, 13, 14 and 15, and on Wednesday to Sunday, December 18 to 22 inclusive, from 11am to 5pm.

The campaign was launched by Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Michael Murphy, who paid tribute to Clonmel Rotary Club for their initiative, and to South Tipperary Hospice for the wonderful work they do.

Cllr Murphy said the club is involved in so many worthwhile projects in the town that provide such great benefits. However, the Remembrance Tree is extra- special, as it supports South Tipperary Hospice and the wonderful work that it carries out.

“I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in Hospice, including its many volunteers. They do tremendous work that we are all so grateful for.

“I would appeal to the people of Clonmel to be as generous as they can this Christmas for such a great cause,” Cllr Murphy said.

His words were echoed by Rotary Club president Seamus Ryan, who thanked people for their exceptional generosity over so many years and he was confident that the same spirit of giving will apply again this year.

He added – “The Hospice homecare nursing service is one of the most deserving charities in the country, doing wonderful work each year to alleviate the suffering of those who are seriously ill, and to help their families to cope with it.

“And the people of this county have always given Hospice great support in their efforts, particularly in raising funds to provide homecare nurses.

“I have no doubt but they will maintain that support for our Remembrance Trees this year”.

Remembering loved ones who have passed away is a wonderful tradition at Christmas and the Remembrance Tree is a special way to do this.

People can write the name of a loved one on a ribbon that is then attached to the tree while making a contribution to Hospice.
The trees will be manned by members of Clonmel Rotary Club, by South Tipperary Hospice members and by volunteers on the two weekends before Christmas.

On Sunday, January 5, all the ribbons from both trees will be taken to Ss Peter and Paul’s Church for 11am Mass, where the ribbons will be blessed and all those named on them will be prayed for.

Christmas can be a sad time for many people, but it can mean so much to those who have lost loved ones to have them remembered with a ribbon on the tree, and then prayed for at Mass in the New Year.

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“The people of Clonmel, and those who visit from outside for Christmas shopping, have been so generous in their support for our Remembrance Tree for many years, and I am sure that the same level of generosity will be repeated again this year,” says the Clonmel club president Seamus Ryan.

“We are very grateful for that support as all the money raised goes directly to Hospice to help fund their vital work”.