Newbridge Kildare Lions Club celebrates 50th anniversary
Original charter members of the Kildare Newbridge Lions Club in December 1976
NEWBRIDGE Kildare Lions Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday, 6 November 2026, with a special Golden Jubilee celebration at the Keadeen Hotel, marking five decades of voluntary service and commitment to the local community.
Founded in 1976, the club has played an important role in community life throughout Newbridge and County Kildare, supporting individuals, families and charitable initiatives through the dedication and generosity of its volunteer members.
Central to the club’s history is the remarkable contribution of the late Joe O’Loughlin, the club’s founding Charter President in 1976, and his wife Rose O’Loughlin, who together established the Keadeen Hotel as one of Newbridge’s most respected and welcoming establishments.
From the very beginning, Joe and Rose opened their doors to the Lions Club, providing not simply a meeting place but a home where friendship, fellowship and community service could flourish.
Throughout the decades, their generosity, encouragement and unwavering support helped the club undertake countless charitable and community initiatives.
The Keadeen Hotel became synonymous with Newbridge Kildare Lions Club, and the O’Loughlin family’s contribution remains an important part of its history.
In recognition of this extraordinary commitment, Joe received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest recognition bestowed by Lions Clubs International. Rose was similarly honoured in 2024 for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian service and her longstanding support of the club.
As members gather at the Keadeen Hotel to celebrate their Golden Jubilee, they will remember with great affection and gratitude the friendship, hospitality and generosity of Joe and Rose O’Loughlin.
The anniversary celebration will also hold special significance for current Club President Ger Melia, whose father, Mattie Melia, was one of the club’s founding Charter Members in 1976.
Fifty years later, his daughter proudly serves as President, continuing a remarkable family tradition of voluntary service and commitment to the Newbridge community.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary celebrations, Club President Ger Melia reflected on the club’s history and its continuing commitment to community service.
“As we celebrate 50 years of Newbridge Kildare Lions Club, this is an opportunity to reflect on our past, celebrate our present and look forward with confidence to our future.
“We remember with gratitude the founding members and all those who came before us, whose generosity, friendship and commitment to helping others established the foundations of our club. Their legacy continues through the dedication of our members today.
“From our annual Christmas Food Appeal and Sponsored School Walk to CPR training, community walks and our many other fundraising and community initiatives, our members continue to make a positive difference in the lives of people throughout Newbridge and the surrounding areas.
“For me personally, this anniversary holds special significance, as my father, Mattie Melia, was one of the club’s founding members in 1976. It is a privilege to serve as President during this milestone year.
“As we look towards the next 50 years, our ambition is simple: to welcome new generations of volunteers, respond to the changing needs of our community and continue the proud Lions tradition of service to others.” The club is delighted to welcome Frances Fitzgerald, a native of Newbridge, as guest speaker for the Golden Jubilee celebration.
A former Government Minister and Member of the European Parliament, and member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, Ms Fitzgerald has enjoyed a distinguished career in Irish and European public life.
Her participation will add a special local dimension to an occasion celebrating the contribution of volunteers and community organisations.
The Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity to recognise the founding members, past presidents, current members and supporters whose collective efforts have sustained Newbridge Kildare Lions Club over five decades.
It is also an occasion to acknowledge the generosity of the wider Newbridge community, whose support has enabled the club to respond to the needs of individuals and families throughout the years.
As the club looks towards its next 50 years, it remains committed to building on the legacy of its founders, welcoming new generations of volunteers and continuing its tradition of service to the community.
