Tullamore Lions Club wins All Ireland Club of the Year
Tullamore Lions Club, which is celebrating 50 years, has won the All Ireland Club of the Year award 2025/26, for its leadership and voluntary service contribution to the local community.
The award was presented to Dymphna Bracken, Club President, at the Lions Ireland National Convention in Monaghan last weekend by Ms Marian McGreevy, District Governor.
President Dymphna Bracken accepted the award on behalf of all club members and the business and community leaders who supported the club so generously over the past year.
Two members of Tullamore Lions Club, Paul Cullen and Christy Bryne were also recognised for their work at national level.
In her presentation address, Ms McGreevy singled out Hooves for Hospice; the Clonbeal Bog Environment Project and the Tullamore Annual as significant community endeavours led by the Tullamore Club. “Your Hooves for Hospice project, with the tremendous support of the farming community, raising over €1.2 million, is outstanding" said the District Governor, who described the Tullamore Annual as "an incredible piece of work" which has succeeded in putting Tullamore and county Offaly on the map.
Ms. McGreevy was also loud in her praise of the work done by Tullamore Lions Club in promoting the Clonbeale Conservation Project to other Lions Clubs,. She added that it had been recognised by the National Park and Wildlife Service, who announced a significant fund of €500,000 for the first year, to assist other Lions Club in the Midlands.
”Well done on your commitment, care, and concern for so much. As members of Tullamore Lions Club, you put your talents to work improving communities locally, nationally, and internationally. You also give so generously with your time as volunteers and on behalf of the District I thank you most sincerely for that commitment.Your diverse projects are such powerful reminders of your kindness and generosity. You truly reflect the core values of Lionism with your commitment, care, and concern for others.” she concluded
Other projects spearheaded by the Club over the past year include the recycling over 4,000 pairs of unwanted spectacles to the Third World, helping people with poor eyesight who cannot afford to purchase spectacles. This followed over 3,000 pairs donated in 2024.The Club also donated a cheque for €5,000 to Self Help Africa in support of infant malnutrition and food insecurity in Malawi, the fourth poorest country in the world. During the summer a total of 48 teams took part in the Club’s Golf Classic, which raised €25,000 for Riada House Care Centre Comfort Fund.