The Rotary Club of Wexford celebrated the handover of the presidential chains from outgoing President Natasha Hughes to incoming President Maree Lyng, and welcomed new Vice President Eric McClintock, in a memorable event held at the Riverbank House Hotel on June 24th.
Over 50 Rotarians, friends and District Assistant Governor Calodagh McCumiskey gathered to mark the occasion at the club’s Summer BBQ, with music provided by Rotarian Clinton Jayne. The evening was particularly special as Natasha Hughes was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship from the club and District in recognition of her exemplary leadership during the 2023/2024 Rotary year. Under her presidency, the club grew membership to 46 members, increasing female membership to 35%, launched several new projects, including Interact Loreto, the Rotary Tree of Remembrance, an environmental group, and support initiatives for the Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon. Additionally, the club exceeded its Foundation and polio Plus contributions and many existing projects such as Just 1 Life, Christmas Hampers, Careers Connect, and Bikes 4 Africa continued to flourish.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Rotary Club of Wexford this past year,” said Natasha Hughes. “I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that Maree and Eric will continue to drive our mission forward with compassion and dedication.”
Incoming President Maree Lyng, originally from Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, has called Wexford home since 1982. She is happily married to Michael, and they have four sons and Maree is also a proud Nana to seven grandchildren. After attending Sacred Heart Convent in Ferrybank, Waterford, and studying Computer Programming at Waterford Institute of Technology, Maree joined AIB Bank in 1977, enjoying a fulfilling career until her retirement in March 2024 as County Wexford Hub Manager. Maree is passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment. In 2022, she completed a course in Sustainable Finance at UCD and serves on the Board of the Enniscorthy International Forum, supporting the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda. Maree joined the Wexford Rotary Club in 2019 and was elected vice president for 2022/23.
Maree believes in supporting members’ passions and integrating them into Rotary projects, fostering a strong sense of community and engagement. Maree’s presidency will focus on seven key areas aligned with Rotary projects: Health, Education, Wellbeing, Environment, Water, Peace, and Community Development She values fellowship and aims to strengthen relationships among members through social gatherings and collaborative efforts. Her presidency theme for 2024/25, “The Magic of Rotary,” embodies her belief in that magic is woven into everyday life, one miracle at a time.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role,” said Maree Lyng. “My focus will be on expanding our environmental initiatives, fostering community engagement, and continuing the impactful projects that make a difference in Wexford and beyond.”
Eric McClintock, the new Vice President, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for sustainability to his role. Eric hails from a Donegal family and grew up in Kesh, County Fermanagh. His career began in mainframe computer operations and systems with International Computers Limited, which led him to work internationally, including a significant period in Australia. After returning to Dublin, Eric founded Gericmar Limited, a successful distributor for Hewlett Packard and IBM. Since retiring in Rosslare Strand, Eric has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Wexford, serving as the Environmental Chair and Treasurer of the Wexford Town Sustainable Energy Community.
“I am thrilled to support Maree as Vice President and am excited to contribute to our club’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental awareness,” said Eric.
The Rotary Club of Wexford looks forward to a vibrant and productive year under the new leadership team, continuing its tradition of service and community support.
About Rotary Club of Wexford The Rotary Club of Wexford is a community-focused organization committed to making a positive difference through various service projects and initiatives. The club brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards, and promote goodwill and peace in the world.
