PICTURES: 'Longest coffee morning' in the world held in memory of Saoirse Ruane

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THE 10th annual longest coffee ‘morning’ in the world in Pallasgreen was held in special memory of Saoirse Ruane, who captured the nation’s hearts on The Late Late Show.

The 12-year-old Galway girl passed away from cancer earlier this month. Mike O’Donoghue, who organises the event, said Saoirse was due to come to Pallasgreen to plant a tree and unveil a plaque for all those affected by cancer, last year.

Mike started the unique fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society with local girls Saoirse Corbett, Tara Campbell and Sarah Dillon in 2015.

Mike’s team of volunteers has grown over the years with Ellie and Sarah Phelan, Aine Looby, Mike O’Riordan joining the ranks.

This year they welcomed Mike’s 15-year-old grandniece Lily McMahon. They even kept it going through Covid by substituting the coffee 'morning' for a sleep-out and fast.

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“I can’t say enough about them. They are special people. The work they put into it is incredible and they wouldn’t miss it for the world. They came back from Dublin, Cork and as far away as Letterkenny” said Mike.

Over the nine years a total of €82,163 has been donated to the Irish Cancer Society. In 2019, they received a certificate after creating a world record for the longest coffee day ever in the world - 17 hours and 20 minutes.

Last year, the first person arrived at 7.30am and the last left around midnight.