The Laois Association Dublin is holding a 70th anniversary celebration lunch on Sunday April 7 in Dublin’s iconic Gresham Hotel.
Established in 1949, ‘the Laoghis Men’s Association’, as it was then known. was set up to provide a reception for the Laois hurling team that reached that year’s All-Ireland hurling final.
Laois were unfortunate to lose out to Tipperary that day, but it will be long remembered as mainly fond memories by the team, supporters and members of the Laois Association Dublin as they rendezvous back at the famous Gresham hotel.
Now known as ‘The Laois Association Dublin’, it has not only provided a social focus for Laois people living in Dublin, but it was also instrumental in raising significant funds down through the years for various functions and events.
Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan will be at the celebration lunch, as was a founding member who hadn’t yet turned 18 in 1949.
Bridie Mulhall worked tirelessly as she made her way around Dublin visiting Laois people on her green bicycle to arrange the function and raise necessary funds.
Bridie, originally from Ballylinan, is now Bridie Healion living in Clontarf and is a much-loved member of the Association.
Her husband Colm Healion from Mountmellick has been a member and officer of the Association for many years.
To mark their amazing contribution to the Association they are being presented with a Laois Association Dublin Lifetime Achievement Award. They will be become the third recipients of this prestigious award after Liam O’Neill and Charlie Flanagan TD.
None of that 1949 are alive to commemorate their magnificent achievements today. In 2017, the death occurred of the last surviving member of that Leinster winning Laois hurling team, Paddy McCormack.
In 2009 and 2014, the Association organised special lunch events to mark its 60th and 65th anniversaries.
These events in Croke Park were attended by hundreds of guests including members, their friends and former players of that famous 1949 team. The Association also published an extensive commemorative history in 2009.
The upcoming celebration lunch includes a full lunch, entertainment programme and bar facilities for €50.
For tickets or any queries, you can contact Gerry Thompson on 087 9547389 or email pgthompson@eircom.net.
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