Mass for bereaved members of the Irish Red Cross

The remembrance Mass was held in the S.M.A. Church Wilton on 29^th November 2013. 

All Units of the Irish Red Cross in Cork were invited to attend. Officers from Cork Area also attended.

Ballinora Church Choir sung hymns during the Mass. Personnel of the Ballinora Red Cross participated in various ways throughout the ceremony.

Refreshments were provided afterwards where the congregation could enjoy a cuppa and chat.

 Jonathon  Tyner was the photographer present

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A Special Visit to Aras an Uachtarain

On Thursday 26^th September the Senior Team and their trainer (also Deputy Area Director of Units) Imelda O’Connor had the pleasure of visiting Aras an Uachtarain to be presented with the President’s Trophy by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. This was in light of their winning the All Ireland Senior Competition in 2011.

The team consisted of Aileen Murphy (leader), Geraldine Cronin, Deirdre Brosnan, Mary Keogh, Sarah Vaughan and Eileen Cronin (in absentia).  As Orla Murphy was on the 2013 Irish Team she also attended the presentation.

The reception commenced at 5.30pm with all being greeted by the President and Mrs Higgins, including a photo.

Following this the President gave an encouraging and inspiring speech on the work of the Irish Red Cross and commended all volunteers presented. The President spoke of his experiences and knowledge of the Red Cross and of the “valuable and crucial contribution” that the Irish Red Cross makes both in Ireland and through the international network, remarking that “the Red Cross has entered the fabric of our Society.” The speech also included the unique history of the Trophy itself, which was commissioned by past President Douglas Hyde at the turn of the previous century.

In closing, President Higgins thanked the volunteers present at the Aras for their “commitment to society” and asked them to “Pass on his thanks to the thousands of other Irish Red Cross volunteers around the country.”

After which the 2011 Irish team were presented with the infamous trophy (along with the 2010, 2012 and 2013 winners).

Following the presentation, and more photographs, there was a reception for the visitors in the state banqueting room where the President, Mrs Higgins and fellow members mingled and enjoyed the President’s hospitality. It was a very special and unique experience, which we will always remember.

For more information and pictures see here http://www.redcross.ie/news/presidential-praise/

All Ireland Competitions 2013

The competitions were held in Dublin Borough on 5 October 2013. The venue was the beautiful grounds of Malahide Castle.

Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch had:-

1.  Eileen Kelleher as the Individual Novice candidate.

The Cadet team were:-

2.  Amy Brennan leader, Laura Cahill, Alice Farrell and Aoife Fitton.

3. Gemma Dineen was the Cadet Individual candidate.

Adjudicator:- Imelda O’ Connor

Station Manager:- Geraldine Cronin

Their tasks were challenging and there was a lot of strong competition on the day.

All of our girls performed extremely well and should be very proud of themselves.

The Cadet Team were awarded 3^rd place. CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE GIRLS.

Following a meal in the Hilton Hotel, Malahide a disco was held until midnight.

Very enjoyable weekend had by all.

Eddie thank you for transporting us there and back.

FACE 2013

On Thursday 13^th June our Senior team representing Ireland (team Ireland 1), along with trainer Imelda O’Connor, official photographer Cecily Lyons and adjudicator David O’Sullivan (Mallow Branch), departed Cork airport following a farewell party organised by the Cork Area with representatives from the Cork Area Committee, Ballinora/Ballincollig Branch and others from the South-West units, who meet them at the airport.

The team arrived in Wels to the opening party on Thursday evening where they joined with members of team Ireland 2 and supporters, as well as representatives from headquarters (Bernie Stevenson & Tony Lawyor).

The official opening ceremony on Friday evening consisted of a parade of the teams (thanks to Mary Murphy for the flag!) after which there was music and opening addresses in the convention centre. It was early to bed for all given the early start on Saturday morning.

The FACE 2013 competition begun at 7am and it wasn’t long before the sun was out and the temperature soared to almost 30°C. There were work stations and “fun” stations each of which were faced into by the team with energy and gusto!From train crashes, to fires underground, incidences in swimming pools, rivers, fire stations etc., the team were faced with injuries ranging from bleeding, fractures burns and cardiac arrests. The team impressed judges with their calm, caring and efficient manner and of course their umbrellas! As for the fun stations ... from milking cows, tight rope walking to building ambulances there was an abundance of activities! The favourite however had to be when in the late afternoon outside a church in Wels, Agnes and Francis of the Irish Red Cross were waiting for eager customers for hand and back massages!

At last the clock rolled around to 6pm and FACE 2013 was over. Out of the red working uniforms and into their finery (i.e. dress uniforms!) the team returned to the convention centre for the eagerly anticipated results!

Out of 20 teams, team Ireland were awarded 4^th place (see full list of teams, rankings and scores attached). Needless to say the celebrations ran on throughout the night only hampered by the early start to Vienna Sunday morning with our enthusiastic bus driver Hoarst from the Austrian Red Cross.

Arriving back into Dublin the team were chauffer driven to Kildare by Catriona and Peter Ryan of Dublin Borough Red Cross, where they were meet by more adoring fans and transported home by Claire Beasley, Denis Murphy & Shane Barry.

On behalf of the team I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our trainer Imelda O’Connor – without whom there would be no team! As well a mílebuíochas to all the unit and branch members who acted as adjudicators, patients, agents for hiring patients and fed us throughout the two years training for FACE 2013. It was a wonderful experience for the team and would not have been possible without all of you.

In addition, others within the Red Cross who provided great support to the team:

-          Cork Area Committee, especially Ms Carly O’Donovan who arranged media coverage (Evening Echo 15/6/13).

-          Mr Ger McAuliffe, for his advice and recommendations on patient handling and supplies.

-          Mr Jonathan Tyner, for his constant encouragement and advice to the “ducks”.

-          ADU, Mr John Joe Lyons and RDU Mr Ted Noonan.

Other organisations which provided invaluable support:

-          Members of Ballinora Venture Scouts, Camogie Club, ICA and GAA (Michael Twohig) who all acted as patients over the past six months.

-          West Cork Civil Defence who provided a training day in Skibereen in April.

-          Equipment sponsors: Mark O’Sullivan (Irish EMS); Mark Fleming (Fleming Medical); Kieran Egan ( Eirmed – (Safety-Tec)); Trevor Mulcahy (SP Services).