Parkinson’s Ireland Honorary Memberships 2024 & a Tribute to Una Anderson Ryan

Parkinson’s Ireland awarded honorary memberships to the committee members below who have given their time, energy and unwavering commitment to those living with Parkinson’s in their community.

Al Shannon is the Chair of the Longford branch and has worked tirelessly over the years to establish a branch in the Longford area. The Longford branch meet regularly and run yoga classes weekly. Thank you Al.

Bernadette Myler Driscoll is Chair of the Waterford branch. The Waterford branch meet in the Quarker Meeting House, Newtown Road on Monday’s at 2pm . Bernadette also runs a Kilkenny club on Thursdays in the Orchard House Newpark Road, Kilkenny Club from 11.30am to 2pm, featuring chair yoga, movement to music followed by refreshments and a chat. Bernadette keeps the show on the road looking after these two areas of the country. Thank you Bernadette.

Connie Doolin is Chair of the South Kerry branch. Connie has been working in the area for many years now serving the people of South Kerry and organising classes for members. Thank you Connie.

Eddie Breen is the former Chair of the North Kerry branch. We wish to thank Eddie for all his had work throughout the years for working to serve the people of North Kerry who live with Parkinson’s so well. Thank you Eddie.

Marion Burke is former long standing support group co-ordinator in the Tipperary branch. Marion was very involved in the running of the Tipperary branch for many years and organised the Monday club and singing activities in the area.  Thank you Marion.

Caroline McLoughlin is the Chair of the Mayo branch. Caroline has been looking after the people of Mayo who live with Parkinson’s for many years now. She organises meeting and all their Social activities in the area. Thank you Caroline.

Frank Lynch is Midwest branch treasurer and former Board member of Parkinson’s Ireland. Frank has worked hard is the running of the Mid west branch to assist with the activities run by the branch. Thank you Frank.

Kieran Connolly is YPI secretary and Dublin branch treasurer. Kieran is very generous with his time and expertise in both roles and is also extremely helpful to the staff in the National Office. Thank you Kieran.

Marian Deely is East Midlands Treasurer and their former Chairperson. Marian has been involved in the branch since its conception and has organised many events, information days, outings and meetings for her members throughout the years. Thank you Marian.

Marie Cahill is Galway branch Chairperson. Marie is a powerhouse in the Galway area, organising physio classes, walks, meetings and classes for her members. Marie has given many hours to working with and assisting people in the Parkinson’s community. Thank you Marie.

Mary Butler is Chair of the Dublin branch.  Mary has given so generously of her time and energy to the running of the Dublin branch over the years. Mary has also worked closely throughout the years with National Office, assisting and volunteering when needed. Thank you Mary.

Paddy Conaty is the long serving Chair of the Cavan branch. Paddy has worked for many years to put the Cavan branch on the Parkinson’s map.  He has given tirelessly of his time and his experienced background to establish the branch that we see today. Thank you Paddy.

Ted Horgan is the former Chair of the Cork branch. Ted worked so hard as the chair of the Cork branch to organise classes and events in the Cork area. Ted also participated in the Camino challenge organised by Parkinson’s Ireland and completed the walk with a smile on his face. Thank you Ted.

Ann Foxe is Northwest branch secretary and Chairperson of Parkinson’s Ireland. Ann has dedicated her life to serving those with Parkinson’s both in her own branch and throughout the country in her role as a Board member of Parkinson’s Ireland. Ann organises classes, meetings and events for the branch, which is a branch to be proud of serving the Northwest area. Thank you Ann.

Thank you to Una Anderson-Ryan

Parkinson’s Ireland would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Una Anderson Ryan, who stepped down from our board of directors this month. Una is former Chair of the Midwest branch. Una has given so much of her time throughout the years to establishing the Midwest branch, being involved in setting up the Parkinson’s Nurse service, organising events and classes for members and beyond.

Una has been totally committed to improving services throughout the country for people living with Parkinson’s. Una’s efforts and kindness are greatly appreciated by all staff members, volunteers, those with Parkinson’s and their loved ones. Thank you Una.

Una also wrote a piece we wanted to share with our members about her time with us:

In the early 90ties I realised that people with Parkinson’s in the Midwest had no one to turn to following their diagnosis or when they found that they had symptoms that could have been Parkinson’s related.

With no neurological specialists available to them other than a trip to Dublin or Cork I realised something had to be done to help them. With a clear vision of what was essential to help people with Parkinson’s and most importantly a business plan to raise funds to make it possible, I set about on my journey to help. With Sid Rellis at my side we got to work and the rest is history.

We now have three nurses, 9 designated beds in the University Hospital Limerick. We must thank Bernard Gloster HSE for agreeing to appoint the first nurse and Collette Cowan who was instrumental in all that followed, The McManus Family for recognising that it would be money well spent, in particular Mr Gerry Boland who listened to our story. 

With an amount of research into what was next to help our members, we knew exercise was key with a social aspect to all our sessions, we now have a wide range of activities as you all know and from there our Branch grew.

While I may have taken the lead, I did not work alone. If I mention names I may over look some key people  but here are just a few: Sid Rellis, Billy Rice, Eddie Butler, Margaret O’Sullivan, Pat O’Dea, Cathy McGlynn, Ann Blake, Jessica Poole, to name but a few. On the medical side Prof Declan Lyons was a great help to formalise the role of our first nurse Mags Richardson.

I always found it very easy to work with People with PD. They are grateful, kind, willing to help when they can and this made my role very easy. There is a strong team in place now to take on developing the Branch further and I wish them all the very best.

Thank you everyone for all your kind words and compliments since I stepped down. I want to say to you all that I gained an amount on my Parkinson’s Journey and will always be available to help where I can.

One of the first patients I met was Ann Keilty from the Dublin Branch and when the Midwest was up and running I joined with Ann to get the National Association started. I formed a group called the concerned Branches to lay a National foundation across the country and one key person in the group was Ann Foxe.

Most of the Branches contributed from time to time but Ann and I knew what the country needed and when we formed the first Board with Michael Burke as chair Ann worked tirelessly with me to bring the Association to the level it is today. Well done Ann.

Thank you all once again, 

Una Anderson Ryan.

An Appreciation from Ann Foxe

The name Una Anderson Ryan is synonymous with Parkinson’s Ireland due to her long involvement with the organisation at local and national level. Una dedicated many years to her local Midwest Branch offering support and assistance to people living Parkinson’s Disease. As Chairperson of the branch, Una’s accomplishments are too many to mention. However, it would be remiss not to mention some notable achievements in the Midwest:

Appointments of 3 Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists

9 designated beds in UHL for PD patients

An excellent programme of services for members in the Midwest and Clare.

Una was always very supportive of other branches whenever and wherever required.

Una played a very important role as a member of the Parkinson’s Ireland board. Her contribution and support were invaluable. Her guidance and knowledge were vital in ensuring that the voices of people living with Parkinson’s Disease were heard, and, shaped the work the board continue to do today.

The board would like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for the service you gave to Parkinson’s Ireland. Your time, effort and work have been crucial to the success of the organisation. 

Wishing you a long, happy and healthy retirement Una.

Ann Foxe, Chairperson Parkinson’s Ireland.