Rathkeale Together nominated for The BIG Christmas Giveback 2025

Rathkeale Together promotes cohesion and togetherness in Limerick and has been nominated in the national Big Christmas Giveback

Rathkeale Together has been nominated in the national BIG Christmas Giveback competition with €1500 in Limerick Gift Cards up for grabs

Rathkeale Together, a community group that promotes cohesion and togetherness in Limerick, has been nominated in The BIG Christmas Giveback, a national competition that shines a light on local heroes, with €1500 in Limerick Gift Cards as a possible prize.

The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a €1000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Limerick Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a €500 gift card.

Rathkeale Together facilitates a local women’s group, a men’s shed, a bereavement group and children’s camps. They also organise events with schools, run St Patrick’s Day, Halloween and Christmas parades, and collaborate with University of Limerick and other educational bodies to provide learning opportunities.

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Valerie Foley from Rathkeale Together said, “Rathkeale Together was set up 10 years ago to promote cohesion, bringing sections of the community together, such as settled and traveller communities, and men, women and children. We make a difference in a positive way. For example, we knew that loneliness was an issue among the older generation. Our men’s shed group is a dedicated group with weekly activities. Loneliness can be a terrible thing, and the chance to interact with others and make friends has been hugely positive for the people who attend men’s shed.

“Our women’s group includes both settled and traveller women and includes regular guest speakers, courses and outings. We also run regular events for the community. At our recent inaugural Halloween parade, we had thousands of people attending, and we’ll be turning on the Christmas lights on the 5th December with a big fireworks display.

“It’s wonderful to be nominated in The BIG Christmas Giveback. The Limerick Gift Card is a fantastic initiative because it’s a collaborative initiative that supports our community. If we won, we’d put the Limerick Gift Card prize back into the community, perhaps through one of the regular projects we run with schools where the children make their own costumes to wear in the parade.”

The Limerick Gift Card is a joint initiative between Limerick City and County Council and Limerick Chamber to support local businesses. Over €150,000 of cards have been sold to date.

Over 180 businesses accept the card, which is available as either a physical gift card or an e-card that can be added to digital wallets. It can be spent in Limerick and surrounding towns, including Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Rathkeale.

Seán Golden, Director of Policy with Limerick Chamber, commented, “It’s wonderful to see the nominations coming in for charities, community groups and individuals across Limerick in The BIG Christmas Giveback, including Rathkeale Together, an organisation which is a force for good in the local community. Please take a moment to nominate your chosen individual or organisation in The BIG Christmas Giveback.”

Colin Munro is the CEO of Miconex and said, “Since its launch, the Limerick Gift Card has consistently given back to Limerick and surrounding towns by making support for local simple. As we approach the festive season, I encourage everyone to consider using the card for gifts, rewards and incentives, as a way to show their support for the community. The BIG Christmas Giveback is also about giving back, congratulations to Rathkeale Together for their nomination.