Leanne Breen, Nicola Adair, Kyra Watson and Jayne Cathcart taking part in the Horizon West Children’s Hospice Cuilcagh Boardwalk Challenge last year
IN A YEAR that is all about celebrating the achievements of women, it’s fitting the Enniskillen Ladies Circle has been revived and will be officially “rechartered” next month.
Originally set up in 1959, the Circle was active until the 1980s when it died out. Now, thanks to a group of enthusiastic young women, it’s been resurrected for the modern age. The group is having a “re-charter” night on March 24 at the Taphouse. In keeping with the circle’s ethos of fun, friendship and fundraising, all proceeds from the evening, which is open to everyone, will go to its chosen charity for the year, The Aisling Centre.
An organisation for women aged 18-45 who want to socialise and fundraise, originally the Ladies Circle was only for wives of members of partner group the Round Table. However, the newly revived circle is open to everyone regardless of their background.
Nicola Adair, whose mother Marina Kidney was in the original Enniskillen Ladies Circle, said she decided to revive the group after seeing the enjoyment her husband and brother were getting out of being part of the Round Table, a partner group of the Circle.
A self-employed mother-of-two, Nicola said the group had been growing over the past year, had members from all backgrounds, and were always welcoming more.
“We are a diverse group of women – a solicitor, a nurse, an optician, a sales executive to name a few,” she said. “Some are married mothers, others are single women. Some are natives of Fermanagh, and some are new to the area, but we all have a common desire to meet new people, make a contribution to the community, and in doing so improve our social lives.”
Member Jane Robinson said she looks forwards to the group activities, which can vary from social events to outdoor pursuits and everything in between, and said it was a great way of making new friends and making a difference.
“I was brought in through a friend and it suited me because I was away in Belfast for the last number of years and I’ve only been back in Enniskillen for about a year,” said the solicitor. “All my friends had moved on so it was a great opportunity to reconnect with people and make some new friends.”
The rechartering night on March 24 is open to everyone, not just women, and will include a three-course meal, live music and much more.
Tickets are £30 and can be purchased by getting in touch with the Enniskillen Ladies Circle on Facebook, which you can also contact if you’re interested in joining.
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