1979/80

Pat O'Connell took over as President in year two, with Joe Doyle as Secretary.

The Club undertook an early visit to the elderly at the County Home, and thus set the tone for many years to come. The Halloween Concert got underway this year at the Friary Hall, when £700 was raised for deprived children at Cappoquin Group Home and a further £300 towards the Club's funds for other uses.

A day trip for residents of Carriglea Training Centre involved a walk on the seafront, a sing song and dance in a hotel followed by a meal.

The Youth Award was held for the first time this year, when clubs and individuals were involved - this was a great start for youth activities for the Club.

It is interesting to note that a listing of members in the 1979/80 records shows that the Club had 35 members on the books - not bad for a new club - five of these were still members in 2012.

Organisation of the Christmas Swim in Clonea, which had been going for some years, was handed over to the Lions Club in 1979 - funds raised were given to the Guide Dogs, Sight Conservation in India, a Concern Project in Cambodia and to some local charities.

Also, this year, the Club organised a meeting to ascertain the feasibility of setting up a Citizens Advice Bureau.

District Governor, Tony Smith, made the long journey from Belfast to attend the January meeting - no motorways in those years!

A 20 mile (32Kms.) cycle tour was held on Easter Sunday in support of the Presentation Convent Building Fund, when £3,600 was raised, and as the records tell us 620 people from 6 to 60 took part - truly a huge event.

The final fundraiser of the year was a Golf Weekend at Ballinacourty, with funds raised going to local charities.

Finally, pupils from St John's Special School were taken on a day trip to Mitchelstown Caves, while Carriglea residents were brought for a full day to the Nire Valley.