Kilkenny Lions Club's new president sets out her stall for the year ahead

Marie Kennedy has been elected President of Kilkenny Lions Club for 2023/2024.

Speaking at the recent Lions Club annual meeting, the outgoing President Carmel Slater wished her a very successful year.
Ms Kennedy joined Kilkenny Lions in 2014, and has been involved on a number of committees including the annual Christmas Hamper Appeal, from which many charities have benefited, the Youth Lions Ambassador programme and the funds allocation committee.

She is originally from Killenaule in Tipperary, moved to Kilkenny from Limerick a number of years ago and is now residing in the city.

She enjoys walking, reading, cycling and golf. She is a registered social worker and all her working life has been in the public sector in child and family services where she has played an active role with the community and voluntary sector.

For her year in office Ms Kennedy, with the help of all the committee members and with the generous support of the people of Kilkenny including the business sector, intends to follow in the footsteps of her predecessors in providing support and help for those in the city and county requiring assistance.

She thanked the Kilkenny People and KCLR for giving such great publicity to the various Lions initiatives. Ms Kennedy said that she looked forward to continuing the great work and outstanding service of the outgoing president Carmel Slater, who worked tirelessly on behalf of Kilkenny Lions Club for the last year.

She added that during her year she will be encouraging the club to develop more environmental projects for the benefit of local communities, continue to focus on supporting preventative strategies in relation to domestic violence, explore initiatives to support neurodivergent children and young people, and that she will also be aiming to increase the club’s membership.

The past year has been very successful with fundraising events including the Christmas Hamper Appeal, schools’ concert, sponsored duck race on the River Nore and the annual golf classic.
recipient

The Lions Club was also a major recipient of the Mayor’s Christmas fundraiser including the Mayor’s Table Quiz. The club was also very thankful to be the recipient of funds from the Kilkenny County and City Lawn Tennis Club and a number of local businesses.

The funds raised have allowed Kilkenny Lions to provide valuable assistance to St Vincent De Paul, Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge Centre, Good Shepherd Centre, and Meals on Wheels. Twenty local voluntary organisations from the city and county were also allocated funding during the year.

The Lions Club says that in the current economic climate there is an increased need to look after the most vulnerable in society, and Ms Kennedy is confident that Kilkenny Lions Club will continue to help organisations supporting these in Kilkenny City and county.