Well-done, People of Grange!

Kieran Hourigan, Chairman
Apr 23, 2018
3 min read

Dear Fellow-Parishioners,

April 2018 was a remarkable month for our community with two memorable events as described below.

On behalf of Grange Cross Residents Association, I wish to thank you all for your unstinting support and to sincerely congratulate you on our community's ongoing great achievements. Nothing would be possible without parish-wide support and participation.

Kind Regards and Best Wishes.

Kieran Hourigan,

Chairman

Grange Cross Residents Association

Annual Easter Sunday Morning Memorial Ceremony at Grange Church

What has become a traditional event after Mass on Easter Sunday morning unfolded once again on 1 April 2018 at the 1916 Memorial Garden, adjacent to Grange Church.

Under the expert and guiding chairmanship of Martin O'Connor, a good attendance witnessed another respectful and moving ceremony in grateful acknowledgement of all those brave women and men who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for Ireland's freedom. Of course, we do not forget the children of the times who suffered also.

This annual event provides an opportunity to remember the 'Caherguillamore Five' who died in an ambush on St Stephen's night in 1920. The five patriots are interred together, just inside and to the right hand side of the main church gate. Their resting place is, very fittingly, near to the Memorial Garden.

Those five men were Martin Conway, Ned Moloney, John Quinlan, Daniel Sheehan and Henry (Harry) Wade.

Councillor Brigid Teefy (Limerick City & County Council) delivered the oration. An Irish Army Officer raised the Irish Flag. Wreaths were laid by Mike Moloney, Sheila O'Connell and Olive O'Connor. Fr John Daly blessed the Memorial Garden. The Last Post was played by Martin Doyle and Tommy O'Connell sang the National Anthem.

After the ceremony, many retired to Clancy's excellent Pub and Restaurant in Bruff for a well-earned sumptuous breakfast.

Launch of Grange Community Defibrillation Service

The Grange Community defibrillation service was launched on the evening of 11 April 2018 in the presence of a large gathering. This was the culmination of detailed planning and extensive fund-raising, orchestrated over a period of time by GCRA, with overwhelming community support.

The Limerick Leader edition of Saturday, April 21, 2018 carried the following report on the launch:

"New defibrillator unveiled in Grange"

"Joining together to save local lives"

"Grange Residents Association hope that their new defibrillator never needs to be used, but it is always good to have it on hand in emergencies.

A huge crowd turned up at the launch at the old school house last week as the whole community are invested in it.

Martin O'Connor, vice chairman, said when they formed the residents association in 2012 one of their projects was a defibrillator. Between the unit and training it cost over €4,000 - all raised by themselves. Information leaflets were distributed to all households in Grange.

If somebody in the area falls seriously ill Martin said the first thing to do is ring 999 for the emergency services and then ring the mobile number on the leaflet.

'The coordinator on the day will contact two responders. They will go and get the defibrillator and bring it to the house. We're kind of a backup. We will come and do CPR and use the defibrillator if needs be,' said Martin. Depending on the time of day and traffic it could take around 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

Currently they have 22 trained volunteers on a roster. 'There are people on duty every day. We are doing it from 6pm to 6am. We need more volunteers and we will get them trained,' said Martin, who is a trained operator.

When the residents association began their work in 2012, purchasing a defibrillator was one of their goals and they have accomplished it through a lot of hard work.

'We held dances, a country market and at the moment we are looking forward to a walk from Liscannor to Doolin on Sunday, April 29. We have sponsorship cards and all are welcome to take part. We are doing that in association with Limerick Suicide Watch. We are doing ongoing fundraising for the defibrillator. Batteries have to be updated and hopefully we will have new volunteers coming on stream. They will have to be trained too,' said Martin.

The hard-working Grange Residents Association created a 1916 memorial jubilee garden, are always out cutting grass, built a new car park at the rear of the old school house, and are working hand in hand with the council to renovate the building into a modern community centre."

Easter Sunday 2018 at the Memorial Garden