A Year In Redwood

Like many villages around Ireland, our local village, Lorrha, has been almost destroyed.

There was a time, long before we came here, when there was I believe a cinema, 2 petrol stations, a post office and 2 pubs, and some shops in the village.  By the time we came here in 2003, all that was left was the shop/post office and 2 pubs.

Then the post office closed down, and it wasn’t long before the shop too closed its doors.

However, not to be defeated by such things, a group of locals came together and formed a committee….. the result is we now have a community shop, run by a group of volunteers.

It is not just a shop.  It is a hub of community activity.  It is a tea room.  It is a tourist information centre.  It is a craft shop showcasing and selling lots of creativity from around our area.

Once again this year I thought of hosting a ‘coffee morning’ as part of the nationwide fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society.  Then I had a brainwave!  Why host it at home, when it could be hosted in the community shop?  I approached the committee, and they loved the idea.

Smiley face Meringue

Volunteers were asked to bake and/or donate.  The community came up trumps once again.

Our hospice fundraiser was held this morning.  People came in their droves to support and help, and guess what…. over €1,000 was raised on behalf of North Tipperary Hospice.

How is that for an example of how a community pulling together can overcome challenges and bring lots of positivity into the neighbourhood?

Well done to everyone, and major thanks from me to those I asked to bake, your help was very much appreciated.