Clare is preparing to celebrate its title as European Volunteering Capital 2027, recognising the thousands of people across the county who give their time to support their communities.
Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss the importance of volunteering was Terence Mangan from the Ennis Lions Club.
Founded in 1976, the Ennis Lions Club welcomed Terence in the late 1980s, when he sought both a social outlet and a chance to contribute to causes with global reach. Over the years, he has attended conventions across Ireland and abroad, forging friendships and partnerships that have inspired his work at home.
Locally, Terence has played a key role in initiatives including the Breakfast Club at Scoil Chríost Rí, which ensures children start the day nourished; Annual Food Appeals for families in need; and the Wood Chopping & Bagging Service providing winter fuel to vulnerable households. He has championed the Remembrance Tree project for Cahercalla Hospice, the Message in a Bottle programme supplying vital medical information to first responders and Recycle for Sight, which delivers used eyewear to people in developing countries who would otherwise go without vision correction.
Terence motivates his fellow members, offering encouragement and practical support even when not leading a project. His detailed reportage, whether calculating the euro value of a food appeal or tracing the journey of a pair of glasses to a child in South America, keeps members focused on the real-world impact of their work.
His commitment reaches beyond County Clare. In 2018, Terence travelled to Lebanon to witness the conditions faced by women and children displaced by the Syrian war, an experience he calls life-changing. “I have seen how an individual action in a small town like Ennis can have real impact beyond our county boundaries,” he reflects.
Whether restoring sight to someone in the developing world or offering hope to refugees facing fear, hunger and war, Terence’s work with Ennis Lions proves that compassion and service know no borders.
You can listen to the full interview here:
