Abbeyleix Hospital Visitation - 25th Anniversary

The first service project undertaken by our Club was Hospital Visitation. It has been carried out unbroken since December 1978 when we visited Abbeyleix District Hospital and our President, Syd Finlay made a presentation of a radio to Matron Ann Doherty. So Hospital Visitation has been our Service Trailblazer.

Visitations to Abbeyleix Hospital have been expanded to three a year, summer, autumn and Christmas and it is only fair to say that these visits are very popular and appreciated and also very enjoyable for those who take part.

What a visit entails

At each visitation patients are given refreshments (of the liquid type) chocolates, etc. Patients and staff very much appreciate the chat (that goes without saying!) and of course there's music, song and dance.

For a number of years now the entertainment has been under the Baton of MARY LILLIS and has provided a galaxy of instrumentalists, dancers and singers. She is a top performer herself whether as musican, dancer or singer and is indespensible to the club.

Organisation

In the early days of the club each visit was organised at a montly meeting of the club. Our late member Donald Bradley of Abbeyleix was a great supporter of this project and organised the Abbeyleix visitation until his untimely death. John Arrigan was also organiser for some years. Pat Lillis took over at about the same time as Mary became the chief Artiste.

The project involves a club expenditure of up to €1,000 a year. It is remarkable that an activity, which is so much appreciated by staff and patients of the hospital attracts only a minimal involvement of club members.

Some photos of the event are below, including our President Jonathan Shaw presenting a picture to the Matron to mark the 25th Anniversary of this visitation.