An Insight into the Area We Live in

Helen helps to Light up Aughrim
BY KEN KELLY
A lifetime ambition by a local
woman to see her village lit up for
Christmas became a reality this
time around, thanks to support
from the local community, friends
and sponsors. Undaunted by the
task that lay ahead, Helen Mannion
was optimistic from the outset that
she would get the support and
monies to see her native village lit
up for the Festive Season.
The village of Aughrim was the envy of the
county over Christmas and the New Year as
over 7,300 lights illuminated the historic area
for the first time ever. And it was all thanks to
the dynamic Helen, who spearheaded the
venture with the help of local businesses and
sponsors. “It was a real community efforteverybody
lent a hand and we got great
support. I’m delighted with the outcome”
declared a jubilant Helen.
It cost over €3,000 to purchase the 400
metres of illuminations that lit up the
village as well as a huge open-air crib, which
was also aglow at night, attracting curious
visitors from many parts of East Galway.
On 8th December Rev. Fr. Gerry Geraghty
PP was joined by Church of Ireland Rector,
John Burke and Helen Mannion alongside
the open air crib in Aughrim.
Photo: Gerry Stronge.
Lions Club Christmas Collection
Over the period of Christmas giving, the Ballinasloe Lions Club collected
€2,500 worth of food, which was generously contributed by customers
of Tesco and Dolan’s Supermarket and Garage. Creagh, Eyrecourt and
Killure National Schools. plus Ardscoil Mhuire also made collections
within their schools.
The Club followed these donations with their annual church-gate collections,
which raised almost €2,000 as well. Joe Hayes Meats and Arrabawn Creamery were
Rev. John Godfrey in blessing the crib and
turning on the lights, while children from
the three local schools took part in the carol
singing and were supported by hundreds
of parents and parishioners. Afterwards
they were all invited to participate of
refreshments in St. Catherine’s Hall.
“I just thought it would be nice to light up our
village for Christmas. I spoke to business man
John Burke and it just took off from there”
explained Helen Mannion. “We got money
from a fund-raising event as well as sponsors
and private donations. Then Galway Co. Council
generously provided the electricity supply
while John Burke provided the crib. It was a
great community effort and it’s the first time
we ever had Christmas lighting in Aughrim. It
gave the place a great lift” added Helen who
wants to thank everybody involved in helping
her achieve her goal.
To herald in the New Year, locals gathered
around the crib singing carols and partaking
of refreshments. When local business man
John Burke used the school bell for the
final countdown at midnight, all present
joined in the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”
to welcome in 2016 as the lighted turf torches
complimented the strings of street lights in
illuminating the village for the first time ever.
also very supportive in supplying the club with meat and butter at favourable cost
- all of this enabled the Lions Club to pack 107 hampers of varying size to distribute
to needy families and individuals in the greater Ballinasloe area.
The club estimate that, in total, thanks to local generosity, an excess of €7,000
worth of food was distributed by 10 Lions Club members and helpers in the
couple of days before Christmas. “Thanks to everyone who got involved in any
way”, William Duthie Chair of the Club.
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