Darina and Rachel Allen cook up a storm for Cuan Mhuire
Liz O'Connell, Darina Allen, Rosaleen Fadden, Sr Consilio and Rachel Allen
CUAN Mhuire were overwhelmed by the support from the public for its fund-raising cookery demonstration with Darina Allen and Rachel Allen, raising much-needed funds for necessary renovation works to take place on Our Ladies Drugs unit in Cuan Mhuire Athy.
Darina and Rachel were giving of their time and food free for the event.
The event was sold out for three weeks before the date of the event on 7 November. The event could have been a sell-out twice over. The event was introduced by Elizabeth O'Connell from Cuan Mhuire who stressed the importance of the event to raise funds for the drugs unit in Cuan Mhuire.
Elizabeth stressed the huge need for facilities like this now country-wide and the importance for the general public to get behind helping to support these facilities thus enabling them to do their work in responding to problem addiction.
Elizabeth stressed that Cuan Mhuire can be a person's last cry for help when they are at rock bottom in their lives and were ill-equipped to deal with and drink, drugs or gambling seemed to be the only way to go to ease the pain.
Elizabeth also stressed how working in Cuan Mhuire with the residents has made her realise how each and every person who comes through the gates is a brother a sister son or daughter mother or father and who have family who are also in turmoil due to their addiction.
Before Elizabeth handed over to Darina and Rachel she said she must introduce the most important person in the room whose company she was humbled and privileged to be in her presence, Sr Consolio who founded Cuan Mhuire in Athy in 1966.
Through Sr Consolio’s work and the work that is now being continued by Nicola Kelly and staff of Cuan Mhuire so many lives have been saved and given back to people who felt their lives were over.
Sr Consolio was given a deserved standing ovation.
Elizabeth then introduced Darina (her sister) and Rachel to the audience.
Darina spoke movingly about Cuan Mhuire being there for her grandson Joshua Allen (Rachel’s son) who when going through a difficult time in his life reached out to Cuan Mhuire who were there for him.
Through the programme he gained tools to help him deal with life's difficulties and he gained many other practical skills and one particular one in stone carving, enabling him now to set up this own business in stone carving.
The night then really got going, as Darina and Rachel got cooking. It was a wonderful night from beginning to end with Darina and Rachel keeping the large crowd entertained from start to finish with their cooking skills but also with the quick wit and banter.
Some delicious food was cooked and the smells wafted through out the room making all present very hungry.
A raffle was held on the night and many wonderful prizes were won. Many thanks to all those who very generously bought tickets for the raffle, and to those who donated very generous prizes for the raffle.
Organisers would like to thank Laois Taste who turned up in force with their delicious produce for all to sample and buy.
Cuan Mhuire garden centre also had a wonderful food stall which sold out quickly. There were other stall holders also with rugs, jewellery, handbags, and delicious foods.
Cuan Mhuire would like to thank each and every who bought a ticket. Thanks also goes to sponsors on the night and Clanard Court hotel owners and staff.
Millions are needed for these works and if anybody would like to donate please go to www.cuanmhuire.ie or contact Nicola Kelly at Cuan Mhuire on 059 8631493.
