2000/01

Howth-Sutton Lions Club

Lion Year 2000-01

Howth Sutton Lions wins environment award
Howth/Sutton Lions Club won the District Environment Award at the District (105I) Governor's Handover Night in Navan on July 13, 2001. The award was given in recognition of the achievement by the Club in the restoration of the Martello Tower in Howth as a museum and visitor centre (see second next news item below). A shield was presented to the Club by outgoing DG Bill Goggins.

Golf Classic a Good Day for Charity
The golf classic which took place at Donabate Golf Club on Monday June 18th, 2001 was once again a great success. 22 teams entered and 19 took part and for the most part the weather held up well. First prize went to Gerald Langford's team (4) and they walked off with 48 (yes 48) bottles of Chardonay. Golfing was followed by a very nice dinner and a late night for some! As usual PDG Paddy O'Donnell did a good job and takings are comparable to previous years (£2,500 approx.). Grateful thanks to the Captain, Lady Captain and Management Committee of Donabate.

President Tom Keane speaking before prize giving at Donate Glof Club while Paddy O'Donnell waits to give out the results, and some of the prize winners.

Martello Tower in Howth to be a local Museum

A project close to the hearts of members of Howth/Sutton Lions Club reached the end of its initial phase on June 8th, 2001 when the Martello Tower was officially opened as a museum & visitor centre by the Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of Fingal County Council, Ned Ryan. In turn, Howth/Sutton Lions Club presented the Cathaoirleach with a cheque for IR £15,000 (€19,000) towards the restoration costs. Grateful thanks to Lion District Governor Bill for attending the function.

Above: Fingal County Council Cathaoirleach Ned Ryan cutting the tape before entering the Martello Tower Museum & Visitor Centre.
Underneath: President Tom presenting cheque for £15,000 to Councilor Ned Ryan.

Top Right: At the opening of the Martello Tower are President Tom Keane, F.C.C. Cathaoirleach Ned Ryan, Lions District Governor Bill Goggins, Lion Mervin Phelan, Chairman of Lions Environmental Committee, F.C.C. Engineers and Lion Jim Corcoran.

Bottom row:- President Tom, DVG Jim Corcoran and DG Bill Goggins; District Governor Bill Goggins sharing a joke with Monica Smith and Patsy O'Donnell at the opening of the Martello Tower Museum; and Pat and Gloria Doonan looking resplendent sheltering from an approaching shower at the Martello Tower opening. more..

Healthy walk on the hill
The 30^th annual Lions Club walk took place on Sunday morning May 27^th, 2001. The 9 km route led from Howth village, the Summit and down Carrickbrack Road to the Marine Hotel for refreshments. Those taking part ranged in ages from the under 10's of Beann Éadair Hurling Club to upwardly mobile young executives to some of the more senior members of the Lions Club, a span of 75 years! The organisation of the walk was led by Michael Moroney, assisted by Paul Fitzpatrick, Barney Rorke, Richard McCaffrey, Gerry langford and Mervin Phelan. President Tom thanked all for participating, certified walk cards and encouraged return of sponsorship money ASAP.

1:- Stopping off for a little prayer at the Marian Grotto are from left President Tom Keane, Anne Langford, Maureen Keane, Monica and Joe Smith.
2:- Aren't they the beauties, all three! Maureen Keane admiring the vintage cars.
3:- Admiring vintage MG's are Past president Brendan Doyle, Joe and Monica Smith, Gerald Langford and President Tom Keane.

Full house at bridge night

35 tables played on Howth/Sutton Lions bridge night (a few late comers had to be turned away due lack of space) on April 8. A good time was had by all. Some £1,300 nett (after sundry expenses) was made on the night for Lions charities.

We express our thanks to Lady Captain, Laurie Linehan who hosted the function and to the Captain of Howth Golf Club, Séan O'Brien for the use once again of their fine facilities, to Sutton Lawn Tennis Club for assistance, those who helped on the night, and to the many local businesses who gave valuable prizes for the raffle. Well done Lions Briege Barrett and Carmel Mac Canna for a very successful Lions charity project.

Cake Sale:

Once again a very successful cake sale was held for Howth/Sutton Lions charities in the Community Centre, St Fintan's Church, Sutton, on 'Mothers' Day' Sunday March 25, 2001. The proceeds exceeded £800. Grateful thanks to all Lions spouses and Lions who assisted with the preparations and serving on the day. A special thanks to those who stood in for the President's wife, Maureen, whose mother passed away suddenly. Also grateful thanks to the priests of the parish for their support and church announcements . Lions later adjourned for refreshments and dinner was held in the 'Bloody Stream' restaurant, Howth.

Little Sisters of the Poor Supported

A cheque for £1,500 was presented in May 2001 by President Tom Keane to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Sybil Hill, Killester, Dublin 3 towards the purchase of a special orthopedic bed for long-termed confined persons.
Here you have Lion Brendan Clancy linked by Sister as President tom presents the cheque to Reverend mother and Frank Hanratty poses for the photo

Sutton Boy Scouts and Guide Dogs given the Green Light .

It has been a busy time for President Tom Keane during May of 2001. The accompanying photos show a cheque for £1,500 being presented in aid of the scouts and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Sutton Boy Scouts were once again supported by Howth/Sutton Lions Club when they were present by President Tom Keane with a cheque for £1,500 towards the cost of a set of lamps and a number transporting gear when on camping trips. In the Guide Dog photo are Lions Brendan Clancy, Frank Hanratty and President Tom Keane presenting the cheque for £1,500 to Guide Dog owner Liz McKeon with her guide dog 'Lottie'.

Howth/Sutton Lions 31^st Club Charter night (dinner & dance ) was held in the Marine hotel on Friday February 16th, 2001. District Dinner Bill Goggins and Anne were guests of honour. Mervin Jones Fellowship Awards were presented to Mervin Phelan (Environment; see Martello Tower) and John Prior (Club Treasurer for 15 years). Visiting Lions from Íle d'Oléron Club, west coast of France, in Dublin for the International Rugby match (Ireland v France) attended as well as Lions members of from Swords, Dundrum, Clondalkin, Sugarloaf, Portadown attended.

Howth/Sutton candidate for Youth Award comes true!.

The Howth/Sutton Lions Club entrant for the Youth Award reached to 105I (Ireland) Lions District Finals, held at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoire. Jade McGroarty-Barry was highly praised by the judges for her voluntary work for handicapped children, undertaken in her spare time. Among other tasks, she devotes many after school hours to helping the physically challenged children in the L'Arche Community House, Baldoyle and at the Central Remedial Clinic, Clontarf. Jade is a pupil of Manor House Secondary School, Raheny. Well done Jade! All in Howth/Sutton Lions wish the District winner sponsored by Thurles Lions the very best of luck in the Multi-District finals.

Above: PDG Paddy O'Donnell, on behalf of the District Governor, Bill Goggins, presenting the regional final trophy to Jade McGroarty-Barry at the finals in the Royal Marine, Dun Laoire

Dublin Simon Community Concert
Taste of Howth 2000 - The Ultimate Gastronomic Experience!
This most desirable social event (supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Association of Ireland, RNLI), which was held on Friday October 13, 2000 at Howth Yacht Club was again most enjoyable and successful. Despite a restriction this year in the number of patrons that could be accommodated, the event was financially as successful as last year, raising up to £11,500 for charity. Again sincere thanks to Howth restaurants who participated, Howth Yacht Club, to Aidan McManus (King Sitric) - MC for the night, and to Michael Fitzpatrick the dedicated organiser. Delicacies from the new Russian restaurant added an air of mystery to the night.

A very enjoyable concert given by the Garda Band and the Garda Choir took place to a packed house in St Mary's SS, Baldoyle on Wednesday, November 19th, 2000. Sponsorship for the event was tremendously supported by local businesses. The proceeds will be donated to Dublin Simon to enable them to acquire a cold store/walk in fridge to preserve food, and food donations. When all receipts are in, the event is likely to realise £8,500 for the project. Well done one and all involved, especially to Lions Carmel Mac Canna and Joe Smith who led a very enthusiastic organising committee including Briege Barrett, Eamon Foran and Michael Moroney

Other: Table Quiz netted £2,000. Food appeal for the needy made up 97 Christmas hampers.

Howth hurlers given a helping hand!Beann Eadair (Howth) Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) have just reformed their under 9 years hurling team. Howth/Sutton Lions Club were delighted to assist the club with the purchase of new jersey tops for the team. Congratulations to the under 9's for doing exceptionally well, losing only one match in the Dublin indoor hurling competitions. We wish the team well through the coming season and in the years ahead. Interested parents/players contact the Club or Peadar MacCanna.

At the presentation were Peadar MacCanna, Beann Eadar Youth (under 9's & 10's) Team, Lion Eamon Foran and Beann Eadar Club Chairman.

105 Multiple District Convention
Five members of Howth/Sutton lions Club together with wives attended the 105 multiple District convention in Guernsey. Apart from serious deliberations, a good time was had by all.

The opportunity was also taken to visit Jersey

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