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06 Sept 2025

Pictures: Wren Walk at Mount St. Joseph's draws huge crowd for Roscrea Hospice

The annual Wren Walk took place on St Stephen's morning in aid of Roscrea Hospice

Roscrea Wren Walk 2024 Mount St Joseph's

Some of the huge crowd who took part in the Wren Walk 2024 in Mount St Joseph's Abbey. Photo: PJ Wright

Reporter:

Midland Tribune Reporter

30 Dec 2024 4:23 PM

Email:

darren.keegan@iconicnews.ie

A huge crowd showed up in support of Roscrea Hospice for the traditional St. Stephen's Day Wren Walk, which for the first time was held in Mount St. Joseph's this year and enjoyed unseasonably warm weather.
For many years the walk was kindly hosted by Marcus and Irene Sweeney at Fancroft Mill, however it became evident last year that the event had outgrown the venue and the expansive campus of Mount St. Joseph's was plenty capable of accommodating the huge crowd expected for this year's walk.
Roscrea Wren Walk Hospice 2024
Happy walkers taking part in the traditional St. Stephen's Day Wren Walk in support of Roscrea Hospice. Photo: PJ Wright
With hundreds of people attending, parking became a major problem at the previous venue, so the organisers we looked for a new venue and we were kindly accepted by Mount St Joseph's Abbey. 
Roscrea Hospice Wren Walk 2024
Pictured centre are Ava and Cara Kealy surrounded by supporters of Roscrea Hospice. Photo: PJ Wright
Over 500 people attended and over €6,500 was donated that morning - which organisers described as an "overwhelming success".
Soup, tea and coffee was served afterwards to hungry walkers in Cistercian College to the wonderful sounds of some local Roscrea Ceoltas musicians. 
Roscrea Hospice Wren Walk 2024
Parents, children and pets at the grotto give a big wave for the camera. Photo: PJ Wright 
"We would firstly like to thank Marcus and Irene Sweeney for allowing their property to be used for many years. They have always been fantastic supporters of Hospice and we will always be eternally grateful", the organisers said. 
"Thank you to Fr Aodhàn who was delighted to allow the walk to take place on the monastery grounds and to Paddy Smith who opened the college so we could use the facilities and to Lorraine Loughnane who gave up her morning to assist with the catering.
Roscrea Hospice Wren Walk 2024
Eoin Meagher, Kevin Dooley, Richard Phelan and Enda Dooley. Photo: PJ Wright
"We thank you all for your assistance and generosity. And once again, to the people of Roscrea and surrounding areas, a huge thank you. Your constant and continued support for Hospice fills us all with great pride", they said.
Roscrea Hospice Wren Walk 2024
Geraldine Garvey,  Deirdre Stanley, Ursula Cunnane (USA) and Orla Stanley. Photo: PJ Wright 

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