Mayor Andrew McGuinness pays tribute to generations of nurses as every county in Ireland is represented at national gathering
Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness this week welcomed more than 200 retired nurses from every county in Ireland to the city for the 27th Annual National Conference of the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland, marking the organisation’s 30th anniversary.
Speaking at the River Court Hotel on Tuesday, October 20, the Mayor officially opened the conference and paid tribute to the generations of nurses whose dedication and compassion have made a lasting difference to patients, families and communities throughout the country.
Kilkenny was chosen to host the national gathering for the second consecutive year, a significant endorsement of the city as a destination for national conferences and events.
Addressing delegates, Mayor McGuinness said nursing remained one of the most important and respected professions in society.
“At some point in our lives, almost every one of us will depend on a nurse, whether during illness, following an accident, welcoming a new baby into the world or caring for someone we love.
“At those moments, nurses provide far more than professional expertise. They offer reassurance, patience and compassion when people need them most.”
The Mayor said the contribution of retired nurses deserved lasting recognition, highlighting the difference they had made to countless lives throughout their careers.
“To the retired nurses in this room, you have spent your careers making that difference to countless individuals, families and communities across Ireland. You have every reason to be proud of that contribution, and we have every reason to be grateful.”
He said the impact of nursing was often found in the smallest gestures of kindness, which could mean everything to patients and their families during difficult times.
“Sometimes, the greatest difference a nurse makes is not measured in a treatment or a procedure. It is a reassuring word, an extra moment spent listening, or the kindness shown to somebody who is frightened or in pain.”
Mayor McGuinness also highlighted the importance of protecting the interests and entitlements of retired nurses, saying their years of service should be matched by fairness and security in retirement.
“A lifetime spent caring for others deserves to be met with fairness and security in retirement,” he said.
He praised the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland for providing a collective voice for retired nurses, supporting members and ensuring their concerns continued to be heard.
The Mayor congratulated the association on its 30th anniversary and acknowledged the work of National President Kevin Igoe and conference coordinator Deirdre Kavanagh.
He also paid particular tribute to Kilkenny Branch Chairman John Coonan for his work in supporting the association locally and helping bring the national conference back to Kilkenny for a second consecutive year.
The conference programme included the association’s annual general meeting, discussions on members’ interests, and guest speakers addressing safeguarding, planning ahead and the impact of lifestyle on mental health.
Delegates also attended an ecumenical service and conference dinner, with music provided by The Checkers.
Welcoming visitors to the city, Mayor McGuinness said Kilkenny was proud of its history and heritage, but that its greatest strength lay in its people and its sense of community.
Concluding his address, he thanked the retired nurses for their contribution to Irish society.
“You have brought comfort when people were afraid, reassurance when there was uncertainty, and compassion when it mattered most. That is a legacy that goes far beyond a career. It is a legacy of humanity, kindness and service, and one that deserves to be celebrated.”
The Mayor formally declared the 27th Annual National Conference of the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland open, wishing all delegates a successful conference and an enjoyable stay in Kilkenny.
