'I too know what it means to confront cancer': Mayor of Limerick John Moran

MAYOR of Limerick, John Moran, told the over 400 guests at his first annual charity dinner that he too knows what it means to confront cancer, like so many across the city and county.

Mayor Moran chose the Marie Keating Foundation as the beneficiary of the black-tie event to raise awareness in Limerick of bowel cancer and help fund preventative screening for those who cannot afford it.

The traditional Mayor’s Charity Dinner – the first of his five-year term - took place on Friday night in the Limerick Strand Hotel. "Celebrating Limerick" was the theme for the event.

More than 430 guests attended, including Limerick’s civic leaders, the respective Lord Mayors of both Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly. Barry Murphy, of Hermitage Green and former Munster rugby centre, MC’d proceedings.

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Each item on the menu served included one or more local Limerick producers at the request of the mayor. It reflected a significant commitment to supporting the Limerick food sector in the More for Limerick 2024-2029 Mayoral Programme.

Mayor Moran said the event was all about celebrating Limerick.

"I chose the Marie Keating Foundation as the beneficiary of my first Mayor’s Charity Dinner in my term because, like so many others across our city and county, I too know what it means to confront cancer.

Funds raised tonight will be spent on raising awareness right here in Limerick of bowel cancer and helping to fund preventative screening for those who cannot afford it themselves," said Mayor Moran (pictured below with mum Bridie Moran, partner Damien Duggan and sister Siobhan O'Sullivan).

Mayor Moran said it was a true honour to host the Lord Mayors of Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly describing it as "symbols of the growing spirit of co-operation between Limerick and other parts of the island".

"Too often we forget how great Limerick is as a place to live, the diversity of our businesses, but most of all the strength of our community.

"Welcoming these guests was more than a civic celebration, but a moment to showcase the unity, embrace and ambition that defines our city and county," said the mayor.

CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, Liz Yeates said they are deeply honoured to have been chosen as the charity partner for this year’s Mayor’s Charity Dinner in Limerick.

"We want to thank Mayor Moran for his generous support and for sharing his own personal connection to the work of the Marie Keating Foundation. The funds raised from the evening will directly support our free life-saving cancer prevention and support services in Limerick.

"Events like this allow us to continue offering hope, compassion and care to those facing a cancer journey and their loved ones. Limerick is showing it has a heart as strong as its spirit," said Ms Yeates.