CassaghRunraises€2,320

NEW HOUGHTON HOSPITAL patients will benefit from numerous new activities and supplies thanks to a generous donation of €2,320 from the organisers of a recent vintage run.

The Cassagh Vintage Run, which took place on July 24, saw the owners of 46 vehicles, big and small but all vintage, take to the roads across the district.

Organised by Alannah Keating and Grainne Hayes after a conversation in a pub between Alannah’s father Jim and Ned Whitty about the great work staff at the hospital do, the event was a great success.

Family members received excellent care at the hospital and the Keating, Whitty and Hayes families wanted to give something back.

Alan Morrissey of Morrissey’s pub in Cassagh provided food for a barbecue, which drew a large crowd and spot prizes were generously donated for a raffle by local businesses.

Mary Keating said: ‘ The money will got towards the residents activities fund which will pay for everything from music and theatre groups to paint supplies.

‘ The event went very well with 46 tractors, cars and motorbikes taking part. We would like to thank Alan and all of the sponsors and everyone who donated money and sold tickets and helped with cooking the food. Also Ger Kielthy of the Wexford classic motor club for doing up the maps.’ AN upcoming talk by crochet and lace expert Kathie Earle at Wexford County Council Archivist Grainne Doran will unravel the history behind lacemaking in New Ross.

The exhibition and talk on the New Ross Lace Collection presents an opportunity to see and hear about the New Ross Lace Collection which is unique to the town of New Ross and was once one of the most sought after status symbols in the world.

The story of New Ross lace goes back to 1817 when the Carmelite Order founded a monastery at Mount Carmel in New Ross at the invitation of Very Reverend William Chapman, Dean of the Diocese of Ferns. The Carmelite nuns educated the poor and started a lace school around 1822 where they taught lacemaking to the women of the town in an effort to help them be self-sufficient. The income from the lace helped the families to survive.

The exhibition and talk will take place in St Mary’s Secondary School on August 28 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. as part of Heritage Week.

At the launch of the commemorative garden in Clonmines: Jack Talbot(left) and Deirdre Quinlan (right) with visiting volunteers.

Back; Tom Kehoe, Mary Barron, Liz Kehoe, Antoinette Carberry, Jim Keating, Mary Keating, Alannah Keating, Grainne Hayes and Sharon Fox. Front; Margaret Quigley, Rita Power, Julia Wayland, John Waters, Trissie Waters and Jean Hyde.