Gold cancer day to take place in Inistioge Fethard RNLI invite public to attend AGM

THE BRIDGE in Inistioge - which is the only surviving ten arch bridge in Europe - will be lit up gold on Saturday, September 30, as part of a fundraising campaign for a children’s charity.

There are numerous activities and bands in the village from 4 p.m. and the bridge will be lit up at 8.15 p.m. by Mayor of Kilkenny Michael Doyle who hails from Inistioge.

There will be free family entertainment with the New Ross & District Pipe Band performing at 4 p.m. and the HFC Brass Band performing at 5 p.m.

Incaeol, the Inistioge Choir, will sing at the bridge prior to the lights being turned on.

At Cois Abhainn community centre there will be lots to keep the children entertained with Disney characters making an appearance, a toy swap event, bouncy castles, Princess Belle and goody bags, all free. Traditional music will be performed in the pubs afterwards.

One of the organisers Stella O’Connor said there will be a great atmosphere in the village as everyone gathers to see the bridge - which dates to 1763 - lit up gold.

Ms O’Connor said: ‘It’s all about the community coming together. All the businesses and the community have come together and we hope that other small villages will do the same.’

There will be bucket collections and people can buy t-shirts and merchandise to support the charity.

‘All money raised goes to the Light It Up Gold charity which helps families by paying so parents can stay in the hospital room with their sick child and buys TVs and provides other supports for childen with cancer.’

The organisers are looking for volunteers to help out on the day and anyone interested can contact Stella O’Connor on 089 2439442. Fethard RNLI invite the public to attend its AGM at the lifeboat station Wednesday, September 27, from 7 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public about activities of the station in the last year, the progress made to fund a new lifeboat, the training and services carried out by Fethard RNLI and the plans for the coming year.

Meanwhile, details will also be outlined on the arrival of the station’s new lifeboat scheduled for the end of the year, the running costs of the station for a year and the station’s normal fundraising activities.

Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group John Hearne said: ‘We look forward to seeing you there when we will be particularly delighted to tell you about our new lifeboat which we hope will continue to serve the community for the next 10 years.’