President Catherine Connolly gets warm welcome in sunny Laois
President Catherine Connolly meets local people on informal visits to Portlaoise Family Resource Centre and Abbeyleix Direct Provision Centre
Portlaoise Family Resource Centre (FRC) was delighted to welcome President Catherine Connolly on a beautiful sunny day in Laois.
President Connolly, a strong advocate for Family Resource Centres across Ireland, visited Portlaoise FRC during her presidential campaign. She promised that, if elected, she would return and true to her word, she honoured that commitment with this special visit on Wednesday, July 9.
Patrice Dunne, Chairperson, and Joan Bolger, Manager of Portlaoise FRC, joined local children, families, volunteers, staff and community members at An Treo Nua to welcome the President to Laois
The President spent time meeting and chatting with local children, parents and community members involved in the work of Portlaoise FRC.
Portlaoise FRC say she particularly enjoyed visiting the Suiamhneas Early Years Service, managed by Debbie Smith, where she delighted in interacting with the children through high-fives, sand play and conversation.
Lilie Ann, whose great-grandmother was one of the founding members of Portlaoise FRC, presented the President with a beautiful basket of flowers.
The President then met with the Portlaoise FRC Board of Management and staff team, acknowledging the commitment and voluntary contribution of the Board members.
She also met with the Centre's Therapeutic Team, led by Clinical Lead Paul Donnelly, who outlined the range of services available, including children's play and art therapy, adult and adolescent counselling, counselling for non-Irish nationals, and problem gambling counselling.
During her tour, President Connolly admired the mosaic created as part of the Shared Island Project and requested a photograph beneath it with Chairperson Patrice Dunne and Finance Administrator Kathleen McEvoy.
She then made her way to the Community Room, where more than 100 people had gathered, including the Wednesday Singers Choir, who welcomed the Galway native with a performance of Katie. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
Afterwards, she toured the room, taking time to speak with those gathered and hear about their experiences. Among the groups present were the Parents Forum, Senior Youth Club, Lemon & Lime Club and the Crafty Ladies.
Portlaoise FRC said she was sincerely interested in people's stories, taking time to connect with individuals across all age groups.
During the visit, Leah O'Reilly Redmond recited her original poem, Catherine Connolly – A Voice for Ireland, before presenting the President with a framed copy.
The visit reflected President Connolly's ethos of valuing community, community development and the people who make our communities stronger.
Betty Bland, Board Member of Portlaoise FRC, presented the President with a bouquet of flowers. Helen Bohem, also a Board Member, together with Caroline Conroy from the Crafty Ladies Group, presented her with a beautifully framed photograph and history of the Rock of Dunamase, featuring a photograph by Terry Conroy Photography.
Throughout the event, the Wednesday Singers, led by Sinéad Walsh, entertained guests with a selection of songs.
Joan Bolger, Manager of Portlaoise FRC, reflected on the day.
"Many people contacted me after the visit to say that the President was a true lady and so easy to talk to. She is personable, respectful and genuinely interested in people.
"The visit reflected President Connolly's ethos of valuing community, community development and the people who make our communities stronger. She wanted this to be an informal visit focused on the work of Portlaoise FRC and the people involved in it. That is something we should celebrate and be very proud of. We have a President of the people. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
“Formal visits involving State agencies, dignitaries and public representatives are important, but informal visits like this allow local people the opportunity to meet and engage with their President in a meaningful and personal way," she said.
Sean O’Neill, Board Member of Portlaoise FRC, also commented.
"It was an honour to welcome President Connolly to Portlaoise Family Resource Centre and to give her the opportunity to meet the people who contribute to, and benefit from, the work of the Centre every day."
Chairperson Patrice Dunne concluded. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
"The President's visit was uplifting, enjoyable and a tremendous honour for Portlaoise Family Resource Centre and for our wider community. We are deeply grateful that President Connolly returned to visit us, just as she promised. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work of our staff team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the day was such a memorable success," she said.
Portlaoise FRC says it works in close partnership with a range of organisations located in An Treo Nua. It said these include the Treo Nua Board and Staff, Laois County Council's Integration Team, HSE Health Promotion and Antenatal Services, Tusla Local Area Family Support Services and Mountmellick YFRC.
Representatives of these partner organisations also attended the event, which Portlaoise FRC says reflects the collaborative approach that underpins its work.
After her visit to Portlaoise FRC, the President travelled to Abbeyleix, where she visited the Direct Provision Centre in the former Hibernia Hotel. MORE BELOW PHOTO.