Friends fundraising to support residents at Midleton Community Hospital for over 30 years 

Being among friends, Carmel McDonough, Maura Milton, Edmund Bailey, and Breda Fitzgerald, and having a coffee and a chat, is a nice way to spend a morning in a beautiful, bright upstairs room in the new 50-bed Midleton Community Hospital facility set to open later this month.

“The new unit will play an important role in meeting growing demand for residential and nursing care, while also supporting families who require high-quality care for their loved ones closer to home,” says Sinn Féin Cork East TD Pat Buckley.

“Expanding care provision locally is essential to ensuring people can access the support they need when they need it without being forced to travel further afield.”

Friends Carmel, Maura, Edmund and Breda are among the ten-strong dedicated committee of the Friends of Midleton Hospital who are operating over 30 years, fundraising for, and supporting both patients and staff of Midleton Community Hospital.

“We are an ageing committee!” says Carmel, laughing.

“But we have achieved a lot.”

Old friends are best.

“Our purpose is that all proceeds go toward supporting the residents and the amenities at the community hospital via the Friends of the Hospital group.”

How did the circle of friends with common goals first meet up?

“Back in 1995, Ann O’Connor, who was a past matron, gathered a few people together in the Midleton Park Hotel to discuss the idea of forming a committee to begin fundraising efforts for the hospital.

“The first project was to create two sitting rooms in the hospital for the residents so that they could meet up with each other to chat and socialise, and to meet up with relatives and friends away from the wards.”

Midleton Hospital resident Kathleen Woulfe has joined us to talk about friendships forged and memories made over the years.

“The sitting rooms are of great benefit to the residents,” says former town councillor, Kathleen.

“I am so happy to be here alongside my husband Mick. We are receiving the best of care at Midleton Community Hospital. The staff here are only wonderful. Grace, the matron, is a marvellous person,” says Kathleen.

“Mick and I enjoy sitting in the sitting rooms of an afternoon to chat with one another and relax.”

How did the sitting-rooms project evolve and then come about to benefit both the residents and the staff of Midleton Community Hospital?

“The idea of having an annual garden fete on the grounds of Midleton Hospital took off,” says Carmel.

“It has proved to be a huge success over the years and the people of Midleton always get behind it and fully support it.

“Activities included stalls featuring bric-a-brac, fresh seasonal plants, local crafts, books and family entertainment.”

Edmund is always in his element setting up his stall at the garden fete.

“I have always loved reading and loved books,” says Edmund.

“So, arranging the books on the stall and discussing books with people who stop by the stall is always satisfying. A friend of mine, long term Midleton Hospital resident, John McCarthy, encouraged me to join the Friends of Midleton and 30 years ago I did.”

Edmund has enjoyed his long tenure as a friend of Midleton Community Hospital.

“The garden fete was always a fabulous community day, on a Sunday in July,” says Edmund.

“It was a day out for people. And it was often the highlight of the summer when there would be music and dancing in the grounds of the hospital.”

Edmund gets around.

“I like to visit elderly people living on their own,”he says.

Kathleen changed roles on the day of the annual Sunday fete.

“I was Madam Rose, the fortune teller installed my tent,” says Kathleen.

“I knew everyone so I could predict things or tell them something about themselves that we both knew. It was a great laugh.”

For Kathleen, looking the part, looking into her crystal ball and reading her tarot cards was no joke.

“I was asked often, ‘Will I pass my Leaving Cert?’”

Not everyone was sold on the predictions of Madame Rose.

“One fellow joked: “Take no notice of her, she is a chancer!’”

There was something at the garden fete - one of the most successful fundraisers for Midleton Hospital - to suit all tastes and all pockets.

“Judging the dog show was great fun,” says Carmel.

“We had a competition for the best-dressed lady.”

I have memories of dressing up my bonny infant daughter for the baby show.

“Ah yes, we had to stop that,” says Carmel diplomatically.

Mick Woulfe loved when people stopped by his honey stall to ask questions.

“Mick was a keen beekeeper,” says Kathleen. “When people took an interest; he loved it.”

Carmel manned the popular wheel of fortune.

“Local businesses sponsored the prizes,” she says. “There used to be queues of people lining up to spin the wheel.”

It paid off.

“We were able to get overhead hoists costing over €120,000 for the residents as well as made-to-measure comfort chairs for the patients. We were able to have parties for everyone in the summer and at Christmas when we got gifts to distribute to the residents. We provided an activity table for the residents which lent itself to more sociability and inclusion for the residents.”

The Friends of Midleton Community Hospital sparked joy.

“When the money rolled in from the garden fete or from the bucket collections, it was like manna from heaven,” says Maura, acting treasurer.

“The more money that came in, the happier I was!”

Maura was always bang on the money.

“I just love fundraising,” she says.

It never rained on their parade.

“One July, the garden fete looked doomed as dark clouds gathered overhead,” recalls Maura.

“The stallholders, who paid for their pitch, weren’t very happy.

“All of a sudden, the sun appeared and it stayed out for the whole day!”

Maura has a long history with Midleton Community Hospital.

“I worked here as a carer at the hospital,” says Maura.

“And my mother, Eileen, was a resident here when she suffered a stroke. Mum enjoyed all her comforts here.”

Midleton Community Hospital is an important part of Irish history.

The seven-acre site on the Green was donated by Viscount Midleton and a workhouse with capacity for up to 800 people was developed there.

Extra wings and an auxiliary workhouse were added during the famine to accommodate the surge of destitute people. The hospital opened in August, 1941.

Many people in the community rowed in over the years to support and donate to The Friends of Midleton Hospital.

“Ballinrostig Vintage Club raised €1,000 last year,” says Carmel.

“Imokilly Motorclub raised €2,030 for us as well in 2025. We have to thank all those people and clubs in the community who have supported us over three decades.

“The shopkeepers in Midleton never left us down. Helpers and volunteers were always plentiful.”

The Friends of Midleton have provided plenty over the years to Midleton Community Hospital.

“We are a small committee,” says Carmel.

“I always think a small committee works well together.”

We don’t need Madame Rose to tell us good things come in small packages.