Conference 2016

Our 2016 Conference and AGM took place yesterday at the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, with over 170 members in attendance. We had a busy agenda, starting with a Primary Care Presentation from the HSE’s Shirley Keane, followed by a hearty lunch ahead of the Annual General Meeting and a varied afternoon session.

The session included the launch of this very website, an update on our Networks and an informative talk on Polio Survivor and 1916 signatory, Sean MacDiarmada.

Finally, in tribute to the anniversary of 1916, we were sung out by ballad singer and musician, Sean McGuinness, of the Dublin City Ramblers including a rendition of ‘Grace’ and the ‘Rare Aul Times’.

It was wonderful to see familiar faces as well as some new and to meet with people from all over the country, who were able to travel to the event. We were also delighted to have guests from the Polio Fellowship Northern Ireland.

Newly elected Senator John Dolan, a polio survivor, also spoke to the members. John emphasised that the PPSG should campaign all public representatives on the needs of Polio Survivors. John welcomed the development of PPSG’s Publicity and Campaigning Network as the perfect vehicle to achieve this.

A fuller report on this year’s Conference will follow in due course, including information presented as part of the AGM. We will also include more photos – here are a selection, by our ‘resident’ photographer, Pat McCabe, who kindly ensures our events are well documented on camera.