Ken Wright
Forty years in existence – forty years making a difference
By Ken Wright
15, Oct 2009 - 07:00

Soroptimists International celebrated its 40th Anniversary in Castlebar with a drinks reception and lunch recently in Breaffy House Hotel.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel.Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

The Club was delighted to welcome the National President Kay Brophy and representatives from Athlone, Ballina,Cork, Kildare, Mullingar, Sligo and Wigan.

Centre stage was given to founder members Mrs. Eileen Carson McCracken, Mrs. Margaret Naughton, Mrs. Ita Staunton and Ms. Mary Waldron. Also joining in the festivities was Ms. Caroline Costello, President Rotary Castlebar.

Author and Historian Anne Chambers, Guest Speaker, gave an inspiring talk on the position of women in society today.

Currently the Club has 26 members and undertakes to promote the position of women and girls wherever they may be located.
 
This year Soroptimists International Castlebar has donated an interactive white board to St. Anthony’s Special School. A contribution of €1750 was sent to an impoverished village in Haiti and the Club has been involved in a three-year project to buy equipment for the National Rehabilitation Unit in Dublin among other things.

Girls from the Secondary Schools around the County are encouraged to participate in the Soroptimists National Public Speaking Competition, because the members believe that there is always a place for confident young women in society today.

Information about the above is available through the schools and from sicastlebar@gmail.com

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel L-r; Kay Brophy, National President, Noreen Walsh, President Castlebar, Hannah Woodfern, President North Kildare, Eileen Diamond, President Ballina. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel L-r; Noreen Walsh, President Castlebar, Niamh O’Keefe, Castlebar, Eileen McCracken, founder member, Ita Staunton, founder member, Margaret Naughton, founder member Mary Waldron, founder member, Helen O’Donnell, Past President, Sheila Kilkelly, Secretary. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel. L-r; Monica Joyce, Bernie Rowland, Nicola Fahy and Helen O’Donnell. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel Soroptomists from all areas in Ireland. L-r; Maura McGuinness, Breege McShane, Sue Casey and Teresa Gavin from Castlebar . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel.Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel Soroptomists from all areas in Ireland. L-r; Breege McShane and Sue Casey from Castlebar looking at some of the past photos . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel. L-r; Kay Brophy, National President, Anne Chambers, author and guest speaker, Noreen Walsh, President Castlebar. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel L-r; Eileen McCracken, founder member, Maureen Tobin, Castlebar, Gertrude Morris, Castlebar, Mary Martin, Castlebar. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel Soroptomists. L-r; Maire McGuinness, Castlebar, Pat Braden, Athlone, Kay Brophy, National President. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel L-r; Pat Braden, Athlone, Kay Brophy, National President, Noreen Walsh, President Castlebar. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel Nicola Fahy and Sheila Kilkelly from Castlebar. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

Castlebar Soroptomists celebrating their 40th Anniversary in Breaffy House Hotel Soroptomists. Members of the Castlebar Club, l-r; Niamh O’Keefe, Ann Collins, Maura Harrison, Teresa Waldron, Phil Armstrong, Gertrude Morris. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2009.

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