Tullamore Paralympic hopeful, Josephine Healion (centre) is pictured cutting the ribbon to open the new Vision Ireland store on Patrick Street in the town today, where she was joined by her sister, Jennifer Healion-Martin (on left) and Tara Healy, Area Manager, Vision Ireland (on right).

Local Paralympic hopeful opens Tullamore Vision Ireland store

Published: Wed 8 May 2024, 12:12 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 May 2024, 12:13 PM

Paralympic hopeful and Tullamore local, Josephine Healion opened a new and improved Vision Ireland store in the town today (Wednesday, May 8) along with her sister Jennifer Healion-Martin, also a keen cyclist.

Vision Ireland is the new name for NCBI, and today saw the newer, larger store open in a brand new location on Patrick Street.

Josephine Healion is a vision-impaired tandem cyclist with Tullamore Cycling Club, who won bronze for Ireland in the 2022 Para-Cycling Road World Championships, and has her sights set on success in Paris later this year for the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Speaking at the Vision Ireland store opening today, Josephine Healion said: “It was Vision Ireland who opened up the world of sport to me many years ago and I discovered my love of tandem cycling which I have been able to develop and compete in. I am delighted to help them open their new store in Tullamore today and I would encourage everyone in Tullamore and around the county to pop in and support the empowering work of Vision Ireland. Through supporting Vision Ireland by shopping in their stores, you can help them empower people who are blind and vision impaired through a range of supports, including sport. You could be helping the next generation of vision-impaired athletes to not only achieve their dreams but to make their country proud, too.”

Also speaking at the opening was Tara Healy, Area Manager at Vision Ireland, who said: “We are delighted to be opening a bigger store in Tullamore today, which is reflective of the growing demand from locals to be part of the fashion revolution and introduce more sustainable, pre-loved fashion into their wardrobes. Although the look and name has changed to Vision Ireland, shoppers’ ability to bag a bargain will remain the same. Our new store has an even wider range of fashion, including menswear, womenswear, children’s clothes and homewares too, and we look forward to welcoming the people of Tullamore through our doors.”

Donations will also be gratefully accepted at the Tullamore store or at any other Vision Ireland, or NCBI shop around Ireland.