Margaret upholds a proud St Brigid’s Cross tradition

NORTH Kerry woman Margaret Carmody is upholding a proud tradition as she once again presents the Listowel branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation with the proceeds of a very special St Brigid’s Cross campaign.

It all started when Margaret was asked by the Principal of her local school in Knockanure to show the children the art of making the iconic February 1 crosses.

That bright lesson sparked a charity campaign that has seen Margaret supporting the amazing work of the Listowel Hospice locally ever since.

And once more Margaret was on hand to present the group with a cheque for €1,000 at the Listowel Arms Hotel on Monday - the proceeds of donations from local businesses that supported her St Brigid’s Cross appeal.

“Listowel Hospice Group are a fantastic group of people who have over many years provided Hospice care to the Listowel area by way of supporting our local Listowel Hospital with Hospice Beds and facilities for the families; as well as with funds to upgrade the necessary facilities for the care needed by Hospice Patients and their families,” Margaret told The Kerryman.

“I am so pleased with the help I received from my neighbours Eileen Kennelly who helped this year with making some of the 200 crosses and Pat Mulvihill who helped me to collect the rushes.”

Margaret explained that it has become more difficult since Covid: “Since Covid 19 it has become a bigger task when sourcing the rushes from fields and the bog due to the fact I am so conscious of people handling the crosses. Therefore I wash and sanitise the rushes before making the crosses.”

She paid heartfelt thanks to all who helped:

“A special word of thanks to the businesses over the years who helped in getting donations towards the crosses and enabling to reach the target of €1,000: Listowel Arms Hotel, Holly Gala Supermarket Moyvane, Mags Deli, Super Value Café Listowel, Brosnans’ Supermarket Tarbert, Adams Garage Glin, Centra Supermarket Ballylongford, Duagh Family Centre, Jim Gould Shop Kilmorna, Johnny Burns and Denise O’Leary, Duagh.”

Photo by John Kelliher Margaret Carmody, far right, presenting the proceeds of her appeal to the Listowel Hospice at the Listowel Arms Hotel. From left, Julie Gleeson, Colm Callaghan, Theresa Grimes, Helen Duggan and Margaret Carmody.

Photo by Tatyana McGough. A massive €25,000.00 cheque was presented by Barry Murphy (centre), President of Killarney Rotary Club to the following beneficiaries: Anabla NS, Castleisland Daycare Centre, Coolick NS, Faha NS, Gaelscoil Faithleann, Irish Pilgrimage Trust, Kerry Stars, Killarney Athletic AFC, Killarney Cardiac Response, Killarney Cougars Basketball Club, Knockanes NS, Loughquittane NS, Scoil Bhride (Loreto) NS and Tiernaboul NS at the Great Southern, Killarney on Wednesday. Photo front from l-r: Denis Tucker Daly’s SuperValu, Jerry Fitzgerald Principal Faha NS, Maria Breen Principal Tiernaboul NS Eileen NíCathain Gaelscoil Faithleann, Bridget Delaney Killarney Cardiac Response, Kathleen Griffin Castleisland Daycare.