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Launching the fundraiser in Kirby’s Bar, Ballyheigue, were, in front; Tadhg O’Halloran, Agnes O’Brien, Rachel O’Brien and Gemma Smith of Acquired Brain Injury Castleisland. Back from left; Michael Keane, Ray Stack, Michelle O’Brien and Eimear O’Mahony. Photo by Dermot Crean
A FUNDRAISER for an organisation which is helping a young local woman recover from a debilitating stroke, will be held this Saturday in Ballyheigue.
Kirby’s Bar will be the place to be when they hold their bi-annual charity night with the Acquired Brain Injury in Castleisland benefitting.
This charity is very close to the hearts of the organiser Michelle O’Brien, as on March 6, 2017, her sister Rachel O’Brien, who was just 27 years old, got a stroke leaving her paralysed on her right side and losing her speech.
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After months of rehabilitation in Dun Laoghaire, the Ballyheigue woman began working with the Acquired Brain Injury in Castleisland to aid her recovery.
“They are a fantastic organisation that helps people like Rachel rehabilitate at home after a life changing experience,” said Michelle.
“Rachel goes for physio and speech therapy, hand exercises, memory games, etc. Because she doesn’t have use of one of her hands, they also teach her to cook,” she said. “She could spend two to three hours working on her hand trying to get her fingers to extend in and out, so all this takes time and they’re such a fantastic organisation and a huge help to Rachel.”
Rachel was a pre-school teacher before she had the stroke, but now she is just concentrating on getting better with the help of Acquired Brain Injury.
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On Saturday, Kirby’s Bar will host the ‘Kirby’s Christmas Craic’er’ where everyone will be invited to celebrate the Christmas season with Ballyheigue musician Brian “One Way Round”.
There is a monster raffle on the night with some fantastic prizes to be won including a night away in the Skellig Hotel Dingle, tickets to see Celtic Steps New Year tour in the Brandon Conference centre, a spa treatment in the Europe hotel, as well as many hampers some to the value of €300.
Tickets for the raffle are €5 each or three for €10. They are available in local shops and bars and from ticket sellers Michelle O’ Brien and Eimear O’Mahony.
Contact phone number is 0861067710 or they can be contacted through Facebook – Kirby’s Christmas Craic’er.
Tickets will also be available on the night and the draw will take place on Sunday, December 16. Organisers hope people will go along for a night of fun to Kirby’s Christmas Craic’er and support this very worthy cause.
