IWA members and staff gathered in Carlow on Wednesday, 19th August, for a wonderful celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the IWA centre in Carlow and for the launch of the creative writing group’s newest collection.

Members and staff were joined by supporters of the centre for the celebratory event, which saw a series of speakers share their reflections on the history of Irish Wheelchair Association in Carlow.

Gerry Morahan, ALS Coordinator at IWA, kicked off the event by sharing the “success story” of the current IWA premises in Carlow on the Kilkenny Road, explaining that there was a long process to find the right site and to adapt it for IWA’s needs.

“The enthusiasm of the branch has come into this place, and when I tell people I’m from Carlow, they say, that’s a lovely centre you have there. That’s not something you build, that’s not something you buy – it’s an investment of time and personality and love into a place, and that’s what we’re enjoying today,” he said.

Christopher Hoey, Chief Operations Officer at IWA, spoke at the anniversary celebrations and paid tribute to Gerry Morahan, Dolly Dunne, Betty Lawler, and the late Jackie Lawler for making the centre what it is today.

“It’s really humbling sitting in the audience and seeing the work that has gone into the centre, the amount of passion and warmth there is today,” he said.

IWA members also shared their reflections and memories of the IWA centre in a specially made video that was screened at the event.

In the video, member and IWA Carlow Secretary Grace Doyle, spoke about her “favourite memory” of singing at a carol service in the centre last Christmas.

“I would never have had the confidence to sing publicly like that before. The carol service really gave me that boost of confidence to be able to conquer that fear and sing in a group of people and really enjoy it.”

PICTURE: Grace Doyle reading some of her work at IWA’s 20th anniversary celebration. (Gareth Chaney)

The event also doubled as a book launch for IWA members in Carlow, who have now been part of their own creative writing group with local author Lissa Oliver for 13 years. They have just published their fifth collection.

Members took time to read some of their work to the gathered crowd, while Lissa Oliver spoke about the creative writing group’s long and storied history.

Marion Dowling, Service Coordinator at IWA Carlow, said she was delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the centre, saying it’s gone from “strength to strength” over the years.

“We are especially pleased to be able to pay tribute to some of the people who were there at the start who worked tirelessly to get this centre open and to make it the special place it is today,” she said.

Marion also paid tribute to the creative writing group, saying: “We are all amazed at their talent and dedication, and we were so proud to launch this collection in conjunction with our 20th anniversary celebrations.”