On the first day of December we celebrated our 38th Charter Anniversary with an excellent dinner in delightful surroundings in the Grand Hotel. In the splendid surroundings of the Coast Restaurant, overlooking the Marina, 48 people including Lions, partners and guests sat down to a splendid meal. The management had taken the trouble to provide floral centrepieces in the colours of our Lions banners!

In addition to Lions partners and friends, we were particularly proud to welcome ten distinguished visitors from Howth-Sutton Lions club including their President PDG Paddy O’Donnell and District Treasurer Gerard Langford.

In his welcome address, President Joe Gunning spoke of the many activities carried out during a successful year. These included the steam train excursion, vintage car show, and the St. Michael’s House/Aoife Project He spoke of the growing concern over the prevalence of stress and suicide in our society and how we hope to research this with a view to increasing awareness in the near future.

He went on to pay tribute to Howth Sutton and said we always strove to maintain the high standard set for us by our founding club. He then spoke of the untiring work and commitment of our charter members who used these standards as our yardstick for the future.

Howth Sutton President Paddy presented a charter member’s pin to Lion Alan Lawless, one of our two remaining charter members. Our other charter member, PDG Bill O’Brien, was unfortunately indisposed. Both Joe and Alan delighted everybody with glimpses into the past.

After coffee the assembly adjourned to the Griffin Lounge where a highly enjoyable singsong, supported by Lion Noel Mitchell on the organ, went on ‘till late.