IRFU Charitable Trust Aon Lunch 2022
The Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel on Stillorgan Road, Dublin, was the new venue for the 2022 IRFU Charitable Trust lunch – once again kindly sponsored by one of our very loyal supporters Aon.
On Friday 11th November, the day before the Ireland v Fiji international at Aviva Stadium, the day kicked off with a drinks reception at 12midday, sponsored by Diageo, followed by lunch at 1pm. The lunch this year was a bit different with the entire room treated to the Diva Singing Waiters – check out the videos and photos below.
Our seriously injured players Bernard Healy and Ciaran McCarthy, as well as Ciaran’s mum and dad, were with us on the day. We were also joined by special guests Aoife Doyle, Bryan Mollen and Leo Cullen as well as the very entertaining Paul Howard a.k.a. Ross O’Carroll-Kelly. Our MC for the day was Nigel Osborne. Thank you to our injured players, our guest speakers and all our guests, in particular guests of our sponsor Aon, guests from Armagh Rugby Club, Connacht Rugby and the IRFU, including President John Robinson. We are very grateful for all your support.
It was also a special but poignant day for someone very dear to the Charitable Trust – John Callaghan. It was John’s final event as the IRFU Charitable Trust Chairperson. John dedicated eleven years of his life as a volunteer to the Trust in the role of Chairperson. And has left a remarkable legacy and lasting impression on everybody, including all our seriously injured rugby players and their families, and those he worked with during his time with the Trust. John was joined by his daughter Clare and was presented with a Frame to commemorate his 11 years from the Charitable Trust’s incoming Chairperson – Michael Whelan. Michael also presented Clare with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for her mum, John’s wife, Mabel who was unfortunately unable to make the day. John, being the wonderful man he is, is not leaving the Trust – instead John is taking up the very important role of a Trustee for the IRFU Charitable Trust. We wish John very best in his new role.
Everyone at the Charitable Trust also wishes our new Chairperson Michael Whelan the very best in his new role as he continues to build on John’s, previous Chairpersons and all our committee members and trustees both past and present, incredible work over the last four decades and more.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Aon Lunch as volunteers as well as donating prizes for the raffle and auction. All funds raised on the day go towards supporting the 35 seriously injured rugby players and their families across the Island of Ireland.
To echo another special moment, everyone stopped what they were doing to listen and watch Brendan Glynn’s story – his injury, his family, Mallow RFC, the rugby community and how the Trust has helped him and his family. The video captures how you, the many supporters of the Trust contribute daily to helping the lives of all our seriously injured rugby players and their families. For this, once again we are truly grateful. Please take the time to watch Brendan’s video by clicking here.
