Remembering loved ones during the festive season in Tipperary

Above: At the launch in Mulcahy Park of the Rotary Club of Clonmel annual Remembrance Tree in aid of South Tipperary Hospice were, from left, Con Moroney, Rotary; Richie Molloy, Mayor of Clonmel; Tom Duggan, Rotary Project Chairman; Schira Lane, South Tipperary Hospice; Liz Binchy, South Tipperary Hospice; Joe O’Sullivan, Rotary; and Fil Guida, President, Rotary Club of Clonmel

Plans have been finalised for one of the highlights of the festive season in Clonmel, the annual Clonmel Rotary Club Remembrance Tree in aid of the South Tipperary Hospice homecare nursing service.

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 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 8, 9 and 10, and on Friday to Wednesday, December 15 to 20 inclusive, from 11am to 5pm.

The campaign was launched by Clonmel Mayor Richie Molloy, who urged the people of the town to maintain the wonderful generosity that they have shown for the great work of Hospice over so many years.

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, South Tipperary Hospice members and by volunteers on the two weekends before Christmas.

On Sunday, January 7, 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.

The funds raised each year provide vital support for Hospice, and the Rotary Club is hugely grateful to the people of Clonmel, and those who visit from surrounding areas, who give so generously.

Rotary Club president, Fil Guida, says it is one of the club’s major undertakings of the year. He thanks people for their exceptional generosity over so many years and is confident that the same spirit of giving will apply 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.

“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 that they will maintain that support for our Remembrance Trees this year”.

Mayor Richie Molloy said that both in his position as first citizen and as a member of the Rotary Club, he is fully aware of the significance of the Remembrance Tree. He has manned the tree himself for many years when he has come across people who have lost loved ones.

He added - “It’s a very sad time for them, especially in the approach to Christmas, but it means so much to them that their loved ones are remembered with a ribbon on the tree, and that everyone who died is prayed for at the Mass in the New Year.

“I am astounded by the generosity of the people who contribute, especially at a time when it can be financially difficult for many families, but they never fail to support Hospice”.