A ‘Fashion Masterclass’ was hosted in Abbeylara community centre last Friday, October 18.
Raising money for Longford Hospice, the event was held in honour of Mary Ledwith (pictured right) by her dear friends.
Mary, a beloved member of the community and a true fashionista, sadly passed away last year on October 11, 2023.
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The event saw Maria Carton, Style advisor, bringing wardrobe advice to the women of Abbeylara and the surrounding areas. And bring it she did as almost every chair in the building was filled.
Pauline Cummins, a member of the Management Committee in Lus na Gréine, hosted the event.
“It’s a very special evening in memory of our dear friend Mary, I could go on about Mary but we’d go over time,” said Pauline. “I’m going to simply say, Mary was a joy to know.t
“Mary was highly regarded and loved in Abbeylara and she was an active member of the community. Tonight is a truly fitting tribute to her.”
The event was the brainchild of Elenora Smith, Mary’s best friend.
Elenora was kind enough to speak with the Longford Leader regarding the event and her dear friend Mary.
“Mary’s qualities were not just her style, all who knew her would agree that she was a loving, caring, selfless person and a very good friend to have,” Elenora explains.
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The number of people present on Friday speaks for itself. Mary was a beloved part of the Abbeylara community. A deep loss is felt by those who knew her.
“Mary’s family were delighted that such an event be ran in her memory,” said Elenora, “Mary would have been humbled, she wouldn’t be one for the limelight.”
Elenora, Pauline and Mary’s family all gave their thanks to everyone who made the night a success, such as the volunteers and the sponsors.
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“When Elenora came to us in the centre here we were all too happy to roll with her, so this is a result of Elenora’s wonderful idea,” explained Pauline.
The event ran for two hours and finished with a raffle.
Maria Carton answered any style question you could think of such as what body shapes there are and how to style each one, fast fashion and how it is affecting the way people today buy their clothes.
She has been in the fashion industry for many years and has worked with the likes of Armani, Jaeger, Brown Thomas and many more. She’s done talks and master classes with anyone you can think of, from TY students to the Department of Environment.
The masterclass followed a coffee morning that took place at Elm Coffee in Granard that morning. Elm Coffee is run by Mary Ledwith’s granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
“All proceeds from Mary’s night, including a very generous contribution from Elm Coffee Day will go to Longford Hospice Homecare,” explained Elenora.
“The final figure will be known at a later date.”
Her granddaughter, Maria, closed the event with a few words about her Grandmother. “Granny would have loved this, anyone that knew her knows that this was just so up her alley.
“I’d especially like to thank Elenora for all her thought and effort that has gone into this, she was my granny’s right hand lady.” said Ms Ledwith.
“Everyone knows we’re here to raise money for such an amazing cause, Longford Hospice Homecare was so good to us as a whole family when Granny was sick and they gave her dignity.”