Mike McGrath’s
Spring fair is an ‘outstanding success’
THE annual Spring Fair in aid of St. Joseph’s Foundation continues to attract the crowds to the campus at Baker’s Road, Charleville and this year 2018 was no exception as the foundation is celebrating the 50th year of its establishment in 1968.
The honour of officially opening the fair this year fell to the foundation founder and mentor over the past 50 years, Dr. Martin O’Donnell.
In his introductory remarks the chairman of the foundation, Eamon McCarthy, said that all those years ago Dr. O’Donnell saw the need to aid the many people with disabilities which he was encountering on his visitations inn his GP practice, and with the help of other local people he set up what is today St. Joseph’s Foundation.
In his address, Dr. O’Donnell thanked all the people who had assisted the foundation since it was initiated, the various staff, volunteers, clergy, service users, volunteers, the families of the disabled who used the services and the supporters, all of whom had embraced the Foundation since its establishment.
The proceedings were blessed by Foundation chaplain Fr. Tom Naughton, CC Charleville at the outset. There was something for all the family at the event with music by Jim Foley and Charleville Brass and Reed Band, who have been performing at the Spring Fair since its inception. Billy O’Brien along with his friends, Stevie Madigan, Eamon Cronin and Pat Bucke entertained the attendance in their own inimitable style.
The group of faithful Spring Fair vintage vehicle enthusiasts were again to the fore showing off their magnificently shined up machines for the day.
All the stands were kept busy and the children had a field day with slides and rides, bouncy castles and horse riding, golf and football.
Thankfully, the weather held up, even though there was a chilly breeze blowing keeping the temperature down for April. All in all, the Spring Fair 2018 was an outstanding success and another triumph for St. Joseph’s Foundation.