Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club's new president aims to broaden club's reach into town's rural hinterland

Carrick-on-Suir and District Lions Club has a new president. 

Brian White,  outgoing President of Carrick-on-Suir and District Lions Club, handed over the chains of office to the incoming President Maura Barrett at the club’s July meeting. 

Brian served as president for three years during which he steered the ship through the very treacherous waters of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Lions members continued their much valued work in the community embracing new technologies and holding their meetings on Zoom. The club not only survived this very difficult time, it thrived under his leadership. 

All members were grateful for the continued support from the community during this time with endorsements from both the Verington Trust and the Burke Trust enabling the club to support people in need.

 Brian said he was delighted to nominate Maura for the role of club president.

 “She completed the Future Leaders training earlier in the year and brings a calmness with her and is always good humoured and engaging,” he said. 

 Maura begins her two-year stint as President in the autumn and is very excited by the challenge but points out: “I have very big shoes to fill”.  

This is Maura’s sixth year with Carrick Lions Club.  During that time she was over the club’s Youth Ambassador competition for three years and played an active role on the Environmental Sub-Committee. 

She has a very strong community ethos and had vast experience in rural development before joining Tipperary County Council Library Service.  She is a very talented and published author who has also ventured into theatre and local radio.  

Most uniquely Maura follows a Druids path and this influences her interests and actions, with caring for the environment being top of her list. 

 When asked if she had specific projects she would like to bring to fruition Maura said: “ The Lions Club is held in such high esteem in the community, so it is my fervent hope to build on that. 

“Our first order of business will be a planning event continuing the already identified priorities of health awareness and, in particular, Childhood Cancer and being a continued support to community groups. 

“It will be very much a team effort and we need to bring along a junior team, so setting up a Leo Club will be a priority too.” 

Maura also wishes to broaden the Lions Club’s reach into the town’s rural hinterland and bring the community together under heritage, environment and health banners.

 In relation to other committee positions, Stephanie Keating has handed over the  Secretary role to Angela Watson, while Mark Coughlan stays on as Treasurer. 

Maria Madden, who has been internationally recognised as PRO of The Year, remains on as PRO, while Ann Ellis continues to play an active role on the District Executive and Shirley O’Shea is Youth Ambassador co-ordinator.