President praises model of care in west Mayo centres
President Catherine Connolly said 'sensible' governments should follow examples set by Achill and Mulranny centres
THE President of Ireland called on 'sensible' governments to follow the example of community-led projects like St Colman's Care Centre in Achill and St Brendan's in Mulranny in providing care and compassion in communities.
President Catherine Connolly visited both St Colman's Care Centre in Keel on Achill Island and St Brendan's Community Project in Mulranny during a tour of the west Mayo communities.
Speaking briefly in St Colman's Care Centre after meeting with staff, management and service users of the centre, President Connolly said that the model of care she witnessed in both St Colman's and St Brendan's should be replicated elsewhere.
“It is an absolute privilege to be here [St Colman's] as the tenth President of Ireland. I have come [to Achill] every year for the last number of years and I have passed this fabulous unit so often and have never come in. It is wonderful to be here today.
“A sensible government would learn from the model that is on display here. A model of non-profit, a model of caring and compassion which has celebrated 40 years. I have just come from St Brendan's in Mulranny and we can but just learn from them. It is a win win,” she said.
St Colman's Care Centre is celebrating 40 years of service to the community and President Connolly unveiled a plaque to recognise the care provided to the Achill community during that time.
Members of the Keel Pipeband played to welcome President Connolly to St Colman's with a large crowd present to welcome her to the former Presentation Sisters convent overlooking Keel Bay.
President Connolly was given a tour of the convent where she met with users of the daycare services which is one of the many services provided by St Colman's.
Regular visitor
ADDRESSING those present in Irish and English, President Connolly also commented that she is a regular visitor to Achill and her heart and soul is on the island and she will be back in August for a week's holiday.
President Connolly was welcomed to St Colman's by its chairperson, Dr Edward King, who gave a brief history of the centre saying they first provided a daycare service in 1986 and has expanded over the past 40 years. He acknowledged the funding provided by the state agencies including the HSE which go towards the running of the service but added that 30 percent of the costs are raised locally in the community.
“The fact St Colman's is still operational and providing care services after 40 years is testament to this community's resolve to have their loved family members cared for in their own homes in their declining years. St Colman's could not carry on without this community support,” he said.
Dr King thanked President Connolly for visiting St Colman's and said her presence is an important recognition of the dedicated service of staff and volunteers throughout 40 years.
As a recognition of her visit, President Connolly was presented with a hamper of Achill goods as well as a copy of a rare photograph of the last train arriving to Achill carrying the bodies of those who died in the Kirkintilloch disaster in 1937.
President Connolly acknowledged the presentation of the photograph by Denis McCarthy telling him that she will treasure it.