Ferbane couple honoured with national award

A Ferbane husband and wife have been honoured for their contribution to bridge with a national award.

Ultan and Eileen McCabe received the 2022 President's Award from the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI).

CBAI is fast approaching its centenary year and over the last 90 odd years many individuals have contributed so much voluntarily to making the organisation what it is today. This annual award was introduced some years ago to give recognition in some way to individuals who had given of their time freely to promote the game.

The 2022 award went to the Ferbane husband and wife team of Ultan and Eileen McCabe, the first time a couple has won it.

The presentation took place in the Ferbane bridge centre on Wednesday, April 6, with a large crowd of bridge members present followed by a game of bridge. Their contribution to bridge in Ferbane and locally, and also in the North midland region which covers Longford, Westmeath, and Offaly, is second to none. They have been involved for almost 50 years at the core of everything as regards bridge, from teaching the game to doing improver classes, to organising tournaments and competitions along with acting as secretary for many years and president of club and region. They also were instrumental in a successful funding application to have the bridge centre revamped.

On the night club president Josephine Devery extended a warm welcome to the national president of the CBAI Pat O’Mahony from Cork and all present. She thanked all involved in the nomination process and organising the night. She thanked Ultan and Eileen for their longstanding commitment to the club. She congratulated them on their award saying it was richly deserved and wished them well in the future.

President Pat O’Mahony in his address noted the involvement of both and added that the number of nominations from the club and surrounding ones showed that their efforts are very much appreciated. He thanked both for all their work for the association and wished them and the club all the best for the future.

Ultan and Eileen in their acceptance speech thanked everyone for their support and said they had got huge enjoyment from being part of the club. They had done nothing more than a lot of people and they hoped going forward the club would continue to be a source of enjoyment for so many as it had for a long number of years for so many members. They concluded by thanking president Pat O’Mahony and wished him every success in his year in office.

All clubs are open to new members. If you are looking for a new interest and to make new friends why not give it a try. Lessons will be advertised later in the year. Please keep it in mind. One can also check the CBAI website at www.cbai.ie for further details.