Binchy’s final act of charity revealed

It was probably best-selling author Maeve Binchy’s last act of charity.

And it will help fund supports for people diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Details emerged last night of how the Irish journalist and author — who sold over 40m copies of her books worldwide — sent one of her favourite recipes to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association just days before her death last July, aged 72.

The recipe for one of her favourite kinds of bread arrived at the association’s offices the morning after her death.

“She passed away on the Monday night, and her letter with the recipes arrived with us on the Tuesday morning,” said association board member Katie Hallissey.

“It included a lovely letter from her and her husband saying they were very happy and willing to help out.

“She was a wonderful person who gave an awful lot to charities over the years. And even in her final days when she was ill, she still managed to help others.”

The author’s recipe will be among several donated by a host of celebrities from the worlds of literature, sports, entertainment, and current affairs which will feature in the organisation’s cookbook — Sit Down for Dinner, Stand up against Motor Neurone Disease.

Hollywood star Gabriel Byrne, President Michael D Higgins, and Irish and Munster rugby legend Paul O’Connell have also contributed recipes.

The book will be launched at the association’s gala dinner in Cork’s Fitzgerald’s Vienna Woods Hotel on Oct 5, the details of which were announced last night.

Some of the stars of RTɁ’s Fair City, including Tom Jordan, who plays Charlie Kelly, will attend.

His on-screen wife, the actress Joan Brosnan Walsh, who played Mags, was forced to retire from the show after being diagnosed with the illness. She died in 2009.

The gala dinner will also feature music from Electric Blue and Voice of Ireland finalist Vanessa Whelan.

Money raised by the dinner and recipe book will help the association continue its support for those with motor neurone disease, their families and carers, said Ms Hallissey.

* Tickets for the dinner are priced at €60. For further information, contact 086 0429696