Our Fearless Four Get Focused!

If you've been visiting us for any length of time then you probably know, both from planting days and the donation of all of our 2022's Black Friday profits, that My Irish Jeweler has supported the charity Trees on The Land for a number of years.

However, you may not be aware that My Irish Jeweler also supports the vital work of another charity, Focus Ireland.

The Reason

Focus Ireland was founded by the indomitable Sr Stanislaus Kennedy while she was working in Dublin in the 1980s. Started as an organisation to help homeless women specifically, the charity she began has worked with and for homeless people in Ireland for almost four decades now. It is one of the most respected organisations in the country, at the forefront of public and governmental discussions regarding housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.

The reality is that, like many other nations, Ireland is in the middle of a housing crisis with no immediate end in sight, and Focus Ireland’s work is sadly more necessary than ever. Home is central to our ethos at My Irish Jeweler, and it's important to all of us in the team that we do what we can to help.

Whoever would have guessed that would involve stepping off a ledge almost 150ft in the air? No? Me neither!

The Rallying Call

But wait! We need context for what's to come, so let's back up a little...

Following the support of the Sponsor A Star campaign 2022 for the Focus Ireland Christmas Tree, Jane received an email in March enquiring whether the MIJ team would be up for a challenge, and some fun. She put it to the team, and a long conversation ensued...

The Reaction

Some of us are better at heights than others. And some of us are just complete scaredy-cats!

Fortunately, the fearless warrior women I share my days with are not so easily dissuaded!

The general consensus was that Gemma, Jane, Liz, and Ruth were ready and willing to chase down sponsorship for the opportunity to jump off a very tall building and drop - in a reasonably controlled manner - to the ground. Claire very much wanted to take part but, in the initial excitement, had forgotten she was due to be on holiday that week. She's pencilled in for the next one, I believe.

Na mná MIJ, or the women of MIJ, have form with these kinds of things: Ruth’s already been bungee jumping, Gemma has abseiled in Dalkey Quarry, Jane used to clamber up and down - not to mention in and out of - active volcanoes for a living, and Liz has years of experience in fundraising for a variety of excellent causes. No better women for the job!

The Reality

On the 29th of June, therefore, our four intrepid adventurers headed off to Croke Park, the heart of Irish sporting life, having raised in excess of €2000 - over €850 above their collective requirement - to take part!

We have a wonderful video that shows their excitement very clearly, but it was great fun for those of us not there on the day to hear the reactions afterwards; all four were buzzing with happy adrenaline! And to have that bird’s eye view of the city was an exceptional reward for their fundraising efforts, because no one else - aside from the pigeons and seagulls - gets to experience that view unless they are part of the Croke Park maintenance team that works on the big screens!

But let's get to the good stuff - you want photos, don't you? We got you covered!

The Result

Thanks to our wonder women and the other brave souls who participated in the event, Focus Ireland raised over €21,000 on the day. It was a pleasure and privilege for all of us to be associated with such a fun day, and we know that it will live long in the lore of MIJ!

When I asked for comments, I think Ruth summed it up for all four daredevils!

Fancy Something Similar?

If you are planning a visit to Dublin and you want to experience a little bit of the same thrill, without having to step out into thin air almost 150 feet off the ground, why not book tickets for the Croke Park Skyline Tour?

Be sure to bring your camera, and maybe some anti-vertigo pills!