Eadaoin Lawlor, national president of Soroptimist Republic of Ireland, along with founder members of Mullingar Soroptimists, Ina O’Leary, Teresa O’Sullivan and Valyrie Moroney, and Anne Melly, president of Mullingar Soroptimists, cutting the anniversary cake.

Looking back on 30 years of Mullingar Soroptimists

Mullingar Soroptimists are celebrating their 30th anniversary and here we look back on the three decades to remember the people who got it all started and those who have stayed active throughout.

Published: Sun 20 Nov 2022, 10:42 AM

Last updated: Sun 20 Nov 2022, 11:09 AM

Five of the founder members who are still active in the branch are Ina O’Leary, Teresa O’Sullivan, Valyrie Moroney, Noirin Abbott and Connie Galligan. They attended the 30th anniversary luncheon in Bloomfield House Hotel last week and helped cut the anniversary cake, created by local confectioner Liz Farrington.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Sarah McCormack, programme action coordinator, explained how the Mullingar branch sprung from friendship, the cornerstone of the organisation.

In 1991, Theresa O’Doherty (RIP) a native of Brownstown, Collinstown, was national president of Soroptimists International with connections to Archerstown, Delvin, being sister of Anne McDermott, wife of Cllr Frank McDermott, and to Ballynacargy as her husband, Tom, was a nephew of the late Jimmy Joe Connolly.

Mrs O’Doherty lived in Millmount, Mullingar, and taught at Cloran NS near Clonmellon during the first seven years of married life before moving to Wicklow.

Mrs O’Doherty presented the Mullingar Soroptimists with their charter at a dinner in Bloomfield House Hotel on November 29, 1991. At the time, she said: “I have very happy memories of Mullingar. It is a fabulous town and I think the members are all very able, wonderful women.”

Margaret Claffey, Carmel Cahill, Agnes Weafer and Carmel Kerrigan at the Soroptimists anniversary lunch.

The Mullingar branch had been mooted a year earlier when Anna Marie Leavy met Mrs O’Doherty at a medical conference. The idea was put to Mabel Barrett, whom Mrs O’Doherty had known since her days in Mullingar, and eight women attended the first meeting, in Mrs Barrett’s home.

The founder president of Mullingar Soroptimists was then local solicitor Rhona Kelly and president elect was Dr Sheila Magill. Vice-president was Breege McCarrick, secretary, Connie Galligan, treasurer, Jacinta Garry, friendship officer, Fearga Lynch, whose job it was to establish links with clubs around the world.

The minute secretary was Nuala Warde, national delegates were Anna Marie Leavy and Mabel Barrett, and the executive committee members were Monica Harris, Valyrie Moroney, Marie Willoughby and Peggy McTiernan.

Other founder members included Noirin Abbott, Ursula Cafferty, Ona Gaine (RIP), Queenie Lynn, Katrina Molloy, Betty Murtagh, Eleanor McArdle, Miriam MacManus, Rosemarie Nolan, Ina O’Leary, Teresa O’Sullivan, Mandy Reilly, Elizabeth Sharkey and Judy Thornton.

Over the years the Mullingar Soroptimists have found creative ways to raise money, from car boot sales and coffee mornings, to lunches, walks and partnering with Harbour Street Shopping Centre for Santa’s Grotto.

They have been involved in peace talk initiatives, supporting carers, international relief projects and a range of activities to improve the lives of women locally, nationally and globally.

That tradition has endured and flourished in the intervening years.

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