Big bottle fundraiser benefits Mayo Roscommon Hospice

FIFTY years after the bottle was first placed on the counter of Curley’s Bar at Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, it reached a new milestone in style last week by breaking all previous records when yielding the whopping total of €3,535.

When the bottle was first filled back in the mid-70s, a presentation was made to Ballyhaunis St Vincent de Paul that amounted to £92, which was a substantial sum at the time. The idea behind the venture was that customers would add small ‘change’ to the big bottle the counter on a regular basis, as they knew it was all in support of a good cause.

The beneficiary in recent days was Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Ann Curley made the presentation to Josephine Ganley who accepted the big cheque on behalf of the Hospice.

“This is the largest presentation we have ever made and we want to express thanks to all the people who have visited the bar and contributed to the bottle since the last time we emptied it,” said Ann Curley.

“Many local causes have benefitted from the bottle as we select different beneficiaries each year. It is always nice to see it topping up and reaching capacity. Fifty years on from 1974, the family and all our customers wish it a happy golden jubilee! We hope it will continue to lend support to different causes in the times ahead.”