The dynamic Adie Sheridan Rainbow Playground fundraising committee thrilled with the massive success of the auction and raffle in Kilcogy on Saturday night. It is expected that well over €100,000 will have been raised for the provision special playground. Back (from left): Tomás Nannery, Ciara Smith, Tracey Reilly, Claire Briody, Mary McLaughlin, Trisha Galligan, Patricia Cooke, Karl Dolan, Cllr Philip Brady and Daniel Smith; front, Sean Smith, Paul Sheridan, who did an excellent job as the auctioneer on the night; Sarah, Carmel, Gemma Sheridan (wife of the late Adie); and Brian McLaughlin.

€100K pot at the end of the rainbow

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A MASSIVE fundraising effort by the communities of Kilcogy and Mullahoran at the weekend proves the community spirit of one of the area’s much-loved sons, Adie Sheridan, continues to live on in his name.

As fundraisers go, between the €62,000 raised at a Monster Auction in Kilcogy last weekend and an estimated €40K generated through ticket sales, the raffle and donations, the project to develop a playground in Mullahoran will be next-level.

The diggers are now on site on lands adjacent to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mullahoran and it’s expected – weather permitting – that Adie’s Rainbow Playground will be open to the first children and their families by the end of October.

The money raised at the weekend will also go some way towards the maintenance and upkeep of the playground for a number of years, too.

Adie Sheridan was just 43 when he died unexpectedly at his work as a roofer. He left behind his wife, Gemma, and their four young sons.

In life, Adie, was a “true community man” who was involved in his GAA club and the development of Kilcogy.

Well-known as the “man behind the counter” in his family’s pub, Sheridan's Farmer's Bar in Kilcogy, Adie was also known as the person who “would do anything for anyone”.

That is why it was easy to round up a committee of friends and neighbours to follow through on an idea that Adie’s wife, Gemma, had to develop a playground in his local area in her late husband's name.

Seanie Smith is treasurer on the committee and said the weekend’s fundraiser was beyond everyone’s expectations.

The highlight of the event was a monster auction which was led by Adie’s mart auctioneer brother, Paul.

“People donated everything from soccer and rugby tickets, round bales, heifers and sheep. It was hectic chaos but brilliant,” Seanie described.

Bluebell the pedigree calf donated by Eddie Zara and Ben Lynch was the star of the auction bringing in a huge €11,600 for the fundraiser. Freezer-ready lamb, three pure-bred sheep and a signed Roy Keane jersey were among the prize lots all auctioned off.

It’s expected the total raised from the fundraiser could exceed €100,000.

“We’ve never seen anything like it on our lives,” Adie’s wife, Gemma, told the Celt. “The place was thronged.”

The Rainbow Playground was Gemma’s idea as Adie loved children, and loved to see children play together and be outside.

While she conceded there was a lot of work in designing their playground because it had to be “extra special”, she believes Adie would be happy with the decision to develop a playground, in a quiet location near Mullahoran National School and the fact that it will be accessible to all local children.

“Adie was involved in underage coaching and just loved to see children get together and be active,” Gemma said.

“I think he would be very happy that a playground is his legacy in his community.”

The final total raised will not be known until all donations are counted by the end of the week.

Zoe Tunney
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