Friday last saw the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, host the traditional Mayor’s Charity Dinner, the first of his five year term.
The black-tie formal event took place in the Limerick Strand Hotel. Mayor Moran, who himself is a bowel cancer survivor, has chosen the Marie Keating Foundation as the charity partner for this year, with ‘Celebrating Limerick’ the theme for the event.
More than 430 guests attended on Friday evening, 2nd May, including Limerick’s civic leaders, the respective Lord Mayors of both Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly. While Barry Murphy of Hermitage Green MC’d proceedings on the evening.
Each item on the menu served on the evening included one or more local Limerick producers at the request of the Mayor, reflecting a significant commitment to supporting the Limerick food sector in the More for Limerick 2024-2029 Mayoral Programme.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, noted the importance of the charity nominated.
“The event was all about celebrating Limerick! I chose the Marie Keating Foundation as the beneficiary of my first Mayor’s Charity Dinner in my term because, like so many others across our city and county, I too know what it means to confront cancer. Funds raised tonight will be spent on raising awareness right here in Limerick of bowel cancer and helping to fund preventative screening for those who cannot afford it themselves,” he said.
“It was a true honour to host the Lord Mayors of Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly – symbols of the growing spirit of co-operation between Limerick and other parts of the island. Too often we forget how great Limerick is as a place to live, the diversity of our businesses, but most of all the strength of our community. Welcoming these guests was more than a civic celebration, but a moment to showcase the unity, embrace and ambition that defines our city and county.”
CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, Liz Yeates, said that they were ‘deeply honoured’ to have been chosen as the charity partner.
“We want to thank Mayor Moran for his generous support and for sharing his own personal connection to the work of the Marie Keating Foundation. The funds raised from the evening will directly support our free life-saving cancer prevention and support services in Limerick. Events like this allow us to continue offering hope, compassion and care to those facing a cancer journey and their loved ones. Limerick is showing it has a heart as strong as its spirit.”
