Photos by Pat Shortall
At a special ceremony in City Hall on Monday night Cllr. Joe Malone presented local auctioneer Fran Grincell with a Mayoral Award acknowledging his charitable commitment to the wider Kilkenny community.
With steely determination and a strong work ethic Fran Grincell has established a very successful business enterprise, founded on honesty and integrity.
That these attributes are integral to Fran’s daily interactions will be unsurprising to those acquainted with his late parents.
Corporal Tommy Grincell and his wife Bessie were popular and highly respected members of the community.
During their lifetime they passed on their moral values to their children, by means of kindly actions and daily example.
And so today, Fran Grincell aware that many people in our society struggle, remembers family lessons and is compassionate and supportive.
For this reason his annual ‘Kickathon’ raises much needed funds for deserving charitable causes.
Allied to this activity, many sporting organisations and community groups would find it difficult to function without generous sponsorship from Fran Grincell.
Kilkenny is very fortunate that Fran Grincell’s business acumen is matched by his outstanding humanity and his generosity of spirit.
A welcome on the mat
Cllr Joe Malone, mayor of Kilkenny welcomed everyone to city hall and said that from the time he was elected mayor, he always promoted the idea that there was a welcome on the mat in the mayors parlour for all.
“It is always a pleasure when we can invite someone to city hall who has contributed so much to our city, simply to say thanks ” said Cllr. Malone.
The former army man and current mayor continued: “Fran Grincell has contributed enormously to various causes and charities in our town and we in city hall are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome him and his family here to say a word of thanks”.
Joe added that through his charity work, Fran has raised in the region of €250,000 for Kilkenny charities.
The mayor concluded by saying that Kilkenny is wonderful for community work and that he sees this on a regular basis. “It is one of the many aspects of our life that makes Kilkenny so great”
Brian Tyrrell, representing Cois Nore spoke at the presentation and thanked Fran for his fundraising efforts.
Former mayor Marie Fitzpatrick also spoke on behalf of the general community in the city.
Accompanying Fran Grincell on the night was his wife Caroline, sons David, Mark and Alan.
Mayor Malone presented Fran with a Mayors certificate of appreciation for his contribution to Kilkenny.
Accepting the certificate, Mr Grincell said he was delighted to be lucky enough to be in a position to raise funds for various charities. “I want to stress that this is not a one man band. A lot of parts have to come together to raise this kind of money, not least those people who dig deep to help those less well off”, said Fran.
The Dean Street auctioneer said it was especially nice to have his wife Caroline and his family with him on this special night.
