News

This year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Plurabelles is Eithne Cullinane. The award, which is voted on by members, was presented to Eithne by our founder Fiona Tiernan’s son Oscar. Eithne joined our club at its inception and was present for our first tryout session in Killaloe in 2010. Some of the reasons our members voted for Eithne include her willingness to do anything required: our warm-ups and cool-downs, drumming, equipment maintenance, her advocacy on the health benefits of our sport – there’s nothing Eithne won’t do. Not forgetting her sense of fun and enthusiasm. Congratulations, Eithne, a very worthy recipient.

Saturday 20 April was a special day for the Plurabelle Paddlers. Not only did the sun shine, but a large group of Plurabelles gathered in the clubhouse after training to see Myra Hanrahan and Máire O’Connor jointly named as worthy co-recipients of this year’s Spirit of the Plurabelles award (as nominated by club members).

The beautiful trophy was presented to Myra and Máire in memory of Fiona Tiernan, who founded the club fourteen years ago (along with Marian O’Dea and Julie Doyle). The award was presented to Myra and Máire by Fiona’s son Oscar, who, as a child, regularly drummed for the Plurabelles.

Both ladies won the award for all the work they do in ensuring the ongoing maintenance and security of our beautiful clubhouse, situated on the banks of the Grand Canal Dock. Together Myra and Máire seamlessly organise everything quietly and without fuss. Both are hugely welcoming to new paddlers and are much loved by all club members.

Our Christmas brunch rounded off the Plurabelle year and was a perfect opportunity for paddlers to catch up with each other over yummy festive treats. As soon as the boats were away the clubhouse filled with paddlers in Christmas jumpers, novelty glasses and Santa hats. Among those in attendance were many Plurabelles who had not paddled in a while, but who weren’t going to miss an opportunity to catch up with old friends. To add to the party feeling, every Plurabelle who attended the brunch was asked to bring along a small gift for another member. The gifts, many of which were handcrafted or home baked, were placed in a Christmas sack and randomly selected by individual Plurabelles.

Huge thanks go to the organisers, the caterers, the photographers, the singers (of course there was singing – it wouldn’t be a Plurabelle gathering without singing!) and to all those who attended and made this such a wonderful success.

To all our friends, we’d just like to say Nollaig Shona Daoibh! Happy Christmas!