Birr Order of Malta Reflect on Their Vintage Week Role
Pictured at the Birr Vintage Parade were members of the Birr Order of Malta unit.
Back row: Vol. Fergal Gaye, Cpl. Callum Doonan, Vol. Andy Murphy, Vol. David Sharp, Vol. Sean Murphy and Adj. Rebecca Gaye, Officer in Charge.
Front row: Vol. Ana-Rita Santos, Vol. Katie Gowing, Vol. Allie Harding and Vol. Caroline Meacle.
While thousands of people enjoy the celebrations at this year’s Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, a dedicated team of volunteers from the Birr Unit of the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps was working behind the scenes to help keep everyone safe.
Throughout the festival, the unit provided medical cover for three of the event’s biggest attractions – the Vintage Week Market, the Vintage Week Parade, and the Gig Rig and Fireworks Display. Volunteers staffed both foot patrol crews and an EMT-led ambulance, ensuring medical assistance was available whenever it was needed.
Although festivalgoers may only see the volunteers on the day, Rebecca Gaye, Officer in Charge of the Birr Unit, explained that countless hours of training and preparation go into ensuring members are ready for the event each year.
The Birr Unit has been providing medical cover for Birr Vintage Week for well over a decade and looks forward to supporting the festival every year. Along the way, members have met people from all walks of life – from children excited to see inside the ambulance and learn about the service, to founding members of the Birr Order of Malta Unit.
Rebecca said it is always a privilege to be invited back by the festival committee and that the volunteers are proud to play a role in helping make one of Offaly’s best-loved events a safe and enjoyable experience.
She also paid tribute to the volunteers, saying they are well recognised throughout Birr for the dedication they show every time they put on the Order of Malta uniform.
“It is such an inspiration to witness both our Youth and Senior members provide an essential service with no expectations in return,” she said.
The Birr Unit is made up entirely of volunteers who give their time to support local communities. The unit is currently fundraising towards the purchase of a new ambulance, which will help it continue and expand the vital services it provides across the region.
