Kilkenny families enjoy pop hits, ponies and pythons at superb Foster Family Day in Tipperary

More than 300 children and foster carers across Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary enjoyed an afternoon of fun last week at a special Foster Family Day in Ferryhouse, Clonmel.

The special event was organised by Tusla, the statutory agency for and experts in foster care, to celebrate the crucial role foster families play in the lives of children.

And it was a day to remember. There were pony rides, bouncy castles, an inflatable climbing wall and slide, face painting, hair braiding and temporary tattoos.

Foster carer Breda Heary brought her ponies to the fun day and they stole the show, bringing smiles and joy to every child who had a chance to sit in the saddle. Fellow foster carer, Seamus Hennessey, excelled himself as DJ for the afternoon and played a set featuring everyone’s favourite hits.
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There were exotic guests present on the day. The National Reptile Zoo provided a python, a legless lizard and a tortoise named Michelle for the occasion. Education Officer Luca Massetti shared his knowledge and facilitated guests who mustered up the courage to touch the python.

Elsewhere, the children mingled and chatted with soldiers from James Stephen’s Barracks in Kilkenny who showed them defence weapons up close. Members of Clonmel First Responders and the National Ambulance service welcome guests aboard and showed how to administer chest compression via a dummy while members of Carrick United and Carlow GAA shared their soccer and hurling skills, respectively.

Search and mountain rescue dog Poco from SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association) was given the day off and soaked up the attention in the company of his handler Ali Tobin from SEMRA (Southeast Mountain Rescue). Mister Softee was also in attendance to provide free 99s with colourful sprinkles on top. And there were orderly queues for the spread of sausages, burgers and chips cooked and served by the Ferryhouse catering staff.

There was a flurry of excitement when Tipperary GAA greats Brendan Cummins and Fintan O’Connor turned up with the Munster and Under-20 All-Ireland trophies and posed for photos with the children – and some older kids lined up for pics too!

Speaking at the event, Joanne Cullen, Interim Regional Chief Officer, Tusla said: “Once again, our organising team have pulled out all the stops for another great CKST foster family fun day. Across Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary 202 foster carers provide a loving home to over 300 children. Days like these are our small way of thanking our incredible foster parents for the work they do every day and the difference they bring to a child’s life.”

The Tusla organising team included Olivia Lynch, Bríd Kiely, Noeleen Butler, Nicola Morrissey, Michelle Noonan, Niamh Kenny, Marie Fitzgerald, Amy Ruth, Oisin Kelly and Una Nugent. For information on becoming a foster carer, visit fostering.ie or call freephone 1800- 226771.