A well-attended meeting of city and county residents took place at the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday with the aim of organizing a Fete in support of Barrington’s Hospital, which is burdened by a significant debt. The Mayor presided over the gathering and provided an explanation of the meeting’s objective. Barrington’s Hospital currently finds itself in a precarious financial state, with a projected debt of approximately £2,000 by year-end. To address this pressing issue, it was proposed to hold a Fete that would ideally eliminate the debt.
Sir Thomas Cleeve enthusiastically proposed Sir Charles Barrington as the meeting’s secretary. This proposal, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien, was unanimously adopted. Apologies were received from the Countess of Dunraven, Mrs. Frank Abbott, Mr and Mrs. W. M. Nolan, Sir Vincent and Lady Nash, Mrs. Vansittart, Mrs. Evrill, and W. McDounell.
The High Sheriff proposed the appointment of all present, with the power to expand their numbers, as the Executive Committee responsible for organizing the Fete in aid of Barrington’s Hospital during the summer of 1905. The Fete was named “Garryowen the Second” to resounding applause. Mr Stokes seconded the motion, expressing confidence that Barrington’s Hospital held appeal for everyone in Limerick, and predicting that the Fete would be as successful as “Garryowen the First.”
Mr O’Grady Delmege then moved to elect the Mayor of Limerick, Sir Charles and Lady Barrington as Presidents of the Fete, with Sir Thomas Cleeve as honourary treasurer and Mr Shaw as the committee chairman. The honourary secretaries were designated as Lady Barrington, Mrs. Tidwarsh, Miss Bunbury, Mr G. Fogerty, Mrs. J. A. Price, and Sir Charles Barrington. Alderman McDounell seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted.
Alderman Joyce, MP.., proposed the constitution of various committees for the Fete, with Mr J. F. Power seconding the motion. It was agreed to convene the committee at an early date.
The Mayor expressed delight at the progress made, announcing a generous contribution of £100 from Mrs. O’Brien, which was met with applause. A motion was passed to move the High Sheriff to the second chair, accompanied by a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his leadership and dedicated efforts in promoting the Fete.
The Mayor highlighted the importance of Barrington’s Hospital as a valuable and deserving institution within the city. He emphasized his duty to assist and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. O’Brien for her generous support, receiving a warm round of applause. Sir Thomas Cleeve seconded the motion, which was unanimously passed. The High Sheriff acknowledged Mrs. O’Brien’s philanthropic endeavours, referring to her as a benefactress of Limerick.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 11 October 1904
