'Best yet' Lions Tullamore Annual launched as club embarks on 50th anniversary year

THE Lions Club produced Tullamore Annual 2025 has been described as "the best yet" by the eminent architect and town planner, Fergal MacCabe.
Guest speaker at the launch of the Annual in the Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore native, Mr MacCabe – himself an accomplished author and commentator – said every Christmas he looks forward to the volume and "with its great selection of topics and stories and having a quick first look, this year is the best yet."
Mr MacCabe said the Lions Club had been the forefront of advancing the social, cultural and aesthetic life of Tullamore during its 50 years.

Making a passionate plea for the restoration of the famed architect Richard Cassells masterpiece in Tullamore – the old Charleville Estate Office opposite the arts centre - Mr MacCabe suggested it was an initiative the Lions could champion in its anniversary year.
He said the case had been made for the building to be developed as a county museum by NUJ Assistant Secretary, Seamus Dooley, in an article, in the Annual, while Michael Byrne and many others had already made the case for a museum in Offaly.
"I suggest the salvation of Cassells' masterpiece might be a new initiative (for the Lions)," outlined Mr MacCabe.

The Editor of the publication, Dymphna Bracken, explained, to the large attendance at the launch, that as well as showcasing the Lions mission of voluntary service, "in the Annual, this year, we feature the work of a number of our voluntary organisations, including Tullamore Meals on Wheels who celebrate their fiftieth anniversary this year; Tullamore Tidy Towns who are doing so much to safeguard our local environment and generate a pride in our town and St Mary’s Youth Centre a lifeline for the young people and community of Tullamore."
She added: "We highlight the exploits of our six Olympians and the achievements of some of our best known sports stars of whom we are all very proud.
"We profile a number of people from our town including - internationally renowned architect Yvonne Farrell; Fiona Mitchell who reflects on 30 years of reporting local and international news and Attracta Brady who this year became the first Offaly person to be elected President of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann."
Ms Bracken outlined the Annual also focuses on entrepreneurial experiences with articles on some of the best and brightest who have achieved above and beyond in their chosen fields including medicine and business.
"Sometimes it feels that we underestimate the vision and enthusiasm of our people to compete with the best in their field. Maybe we should be more grateful and supportive," she outlined,
Added the Annual Editor: "The publication of the Tullamore Annual is the culmination of many months of research and work by dedicated members of our club for which we are most grateful.

Grateful thanks and appreciation to all those who agreed to interviews, contributed articles and photographs.
"We are grateful to Tony McCormack, Andrew Moore and their colleagues at Print Plus for their professionalism and expertise in designing and printing our Annual. And to my own editorial committee, in particular, Larry Fleming and Denis Doherty both of whom have contributed enormously to the success of Tullamore Annuals for a number of years."
Describing Tullamore Lions "as a very vibrant club", President Larry Fleming, said the Annual, now in its 13th year, is the body's main source of income for is very valuable fundraising work.
Revealing the club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the coming year, he revealed the Lions District Convention will take place in the Tullamore Court Hotel in March bringing clubs from all over Ireland as well as visitors form overseas together.
Mr Fleming also revealed that the esteemed Editor of the Tullamore Annual 2025, Dymphna Bracken, will create history also in the coming year when she becomes the first female President of Tullamore Lions Club.
Officially launching the latest edition of the Annual, the Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Tony McCormack, praised the body for the huge role it plays in the town and area particularly in fundraising.
He singled out the Lions' Hooves4Hospice project for the huge sum which it had raised for the much needed Midlands Hospice.