Council Chair hosts a reception for St Macartin’s Enniskillen Mothers’ Union

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception for St Macartin’s Enniskillen Mothers’ Union to recognise their 120th anniversary.

The following is a copy of the speech delivered by the Chair at the reception:

Good evening Fellow Councillors and ladies and gentlemen

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this reception to mark the 120^th anniversary of St Macartin’s Mothers’ Union here in Enniskillen.

The Mothers’ Union movement was started in 1876 by Mary Sumner, the wife of a rector in Hampshire, with the aim of supporting all mothers in bringing up their children.  In 1885 she delivered a speech to a group of churchgoing women in Portsmouth and encouraged them to return to their parishes to establish groups.

By 1892, the Mothers’ Union has 60,000 members across 28 dioceses and by the turn of the century this had increased to 169,000.  Today there is approximately 4 million members across 83 counties.

Globally the Mothers’ Union aims to bring hope and support through parenting, literacy and community development programmes to create a safe and peaceful environment for all; fight for gender equality and the rights of women and girls; and foster self-reliance in each member.

It is a unique organisation as it works within the community to create and strengthen relationships and families and encourage women to use their skills, talents and resources to enhance and develop their communities as well as address any challenges.

The Mothers’ Union in St Macartin’s was founded in March 1904 with 60 members.   The first Diocesan President was the Countess of Belmore, Anne Elizabeth Honoria and she held the position until 1919.  Today you have over 80 members with Jennifer Johnston as your Branch Leader and you are now one of the largest branches in Ireland.

It is a tremendous achievement to reach this significant milestone anniversary of 120 years and to also be one of the largest branches in Ireland.  This is testament to all the members of the Mothers’ Union in St Macartin’s, past and present, that the group is still going strongly today.  It takes a great deal of commitment and hard work to organise meetings and activities to help sustain such groups.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed t ensuring that our people are healthy and well, physically, mentally and emotionally.  Groups such as the Mothers’ Union helps us to achieve this.  It is a valuable asset in any community as it provides an opportunity for women to socialise with each other, develop new skills and talents, become more resilient and independent and make a positive difference in their own lives and those of others.

I would like to commend each and every member over the years who has been part of the history of the Mothers’ Union in St Macartin’s.  You have all played your part in its success and I am confident that you have fulfilled the aim of the Mothers’ Union in that you will have helped may women here locally to prosper.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate you all on the 120^th anniversary of St Macartin’s Mothers’ Union and I wish you every success for the years ahead.