Poetry book published in aid of Offaly Hospice
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Olive Murray representing Offaly Hospice with her grandson Peter and husband James Murray Photo: Ger Rogers. Ger RogersImage 2 of 3
Tony Ennis, Chairman Ballycumber Tidy Towns, Ellen Claffey, Edwina Tyrrell, Noleen’s Carer and Nigel Daly BLC Development Photo: Ger Rogers. Ger RogersImage 3 of 3
Tony Ennis Chairman Ballycumber Tidy Towns pictured with Noeleen Flanagan Photo: Ger Rogers. Ger RogersThe launch of Noeleen Flanagan's 'Lost Poems' collection on June 9 in Ballycumber drew a great crowd for a fantastic cause.
Noeleen, a regular volunteer with Ballycumber Tidy Towns, is a much-loved member of the Ballycumber community who always makes people laugh with her humour. Now, it is her poetic talent that is making waves also.
She has written her poetry book, on sale for €4, in aid of Offaly Hospice. This is a cause very close to Noeleen's heart as her father passed away from cancer, and she knows of the great care given in Offaly Hospice to cancer patients.
Noeleen is no stranger to charity fundraising. During the pandemic, she organised an open-air bingo event, and raised an incredible €800 for Tullamore Hospital. She then made up special hampers for those in the hospital.
In attendance at the book launch at Gussie's coffee shop was Noeleen's family and friends, including her mother Margarette and carer Edwina, as well as representatives from Ballycumber Tidy Towns and BLC.
Tony Ennis, Chairman of Ballycumber Tidy Towns, said that: “Noeleen is a Ballycumber girl at heart – her roots are in Ballycumber. She's a super person!” Tony, who writes poetry himself in local magazine the Village Voice, revealed that the Tidy Towns paid for the printing of her book.
Seán Corcoran, who also writes poetry, read one of Noeleen's poems aloud at the launch. The poem is titled 'This Is The Way We Should See Things' and he compared it to 'A Psalm of Life' by acclaimed American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Noeleen's poem is a moving tribute to humanity and how we should care for one another.
Seán said: “I would like to congratulate Noeleen on publishing her poems. It is an excellent piece of work and a great collection of poetry. I know that anyone who loves poetry would want a copy of this booklet in their house.”
Copies of Noeleen's work are available for purchase at Gussie's XL Ballycumber, Ballycumber Post Office, Clara Post Office, Baggotts Centra Clara, and Hospice Shop Tullamore.
Ballycumber has a vibrant poetry scene, and copies of the Village Voice, a weekly publication, can be purchased at Ballycumber Post Office or XL Ballycumber.