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Alex McDonnell writes of good times in Dublin and Wicklow on Ireland’s national day…

"Good morning,

I was out for Saint Patrick’s day in Dublin yesterday and had the pleasure of meeting client's of yours with John, I think his surname was Glynn....it was the first time in my life I was truly touched by a charity or organisation such as your own.

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Aisling Support Worker Charlie Conquest & Cian McLaughlin [left] with Cian's painting of 'Pops Johnny' which was auctioned at the Molesworth St. Gallery in Dublin on 28th November raising euro15,000 for Aisling.

Recently, Cian visited the Aisling offices in London to present the cheque, and copies of his paintings...

Aisling support worker Alex McDonnell displays another superb portrait by artist Cian McLaughlin [left] of an Aisling client.

Aisling support workers John and Alex [holding painting] with artist Cian McLaughlin [left]. The painting is of Aisling client Gerry Griffin.

Many of Cian's recent paintings have been inspired by the work of the Aisling Project.

Irish artist Cian McLaughlin visited the Aisling office to present a cheque for 15,000 euros, raised from the sale of his paintings. Pictured are Aisling support workers John [centre] and client with Cian [left].

See the full story below 'Human Kindness Overflowing' for the background to these photos...

Photo from latest Aisling trip to Mayo...

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Things work out well in Mayo on Aisling’s latest trip to Mulranny, the centre of emigration support and welfare. Alex McDonnell reports.

Sometimes things go just right. There is no way of knowing how or when the world is about to turn to our advantage but when it does the wheels on the wagon turn smoother and everyone’s smiles are broader. Well almost everyone.

Margaret has had a tough life and there seems to be no sign of her world turning more smoothly. We hoped that a trip back to Ireland might do the trick and her daughter Mary hoped so too. The wheels on Mary’s wagon needed some oil as well as nothing seemed to be going right for her either and maybe a trip would do them both good. They sat behind me all the way to Mayo on this trip while I was driving and I could feel odd moments of disapproval and frosty silences tingling in my shoulders on the long drive. It is a hard journey for someone Margaret’s age and she is not a well 70-year-old, she has a lot of health issues and is used to feeling disappointed and discomforted and does not always bear it stoically – and why should she? Still it made for a less than happy journey for her.

This painting is being auctioned in Dublin at the Molesworth Gallery on 28th November in aid of Aisling. It is of one of Aisling's famous clients - Johnny 'Pops' Connors.

You can see more of Cian McLoughlin's paintings of Aisling 'clients' at his website, where he states:

Pat the Wire, Pops Johnny, Forty Pints, Terry from Derry, Gerry from Kerry Who Thinks He’s from Derry, Jimmy H from Clare, Tom ‘the Lady’ Delaney, Tony C and Sean M from Ballina, BBC Joe, Kerry Denis, Lumpy Tom and Hairy Mary, Donegal Pat, Squinty Mick, Holyhead Tom. Irish men and women in Camden.

...Eventually the weather abated for long enough for us to go out in the boat but only around the bay. As we got to the mouth of the bay the sea was tempestuous and the skipper retreated to safer waters. Because of the weather we were on the ever popular dolphin watch or Funghi Forage. With the decline in the fishing industry most of the fishermen now subsidise their income with trips out to see Dingle’s famous friendly dolphin and he never disappoints. A short time out into the bay and he was chasing along the side of the boat jumping and playing in the surf. Not bad for a 40 year old.