New wing of Mayo respite home officially opens after multi-million euro cost

The new wing of Marian House, The Joe and Helen O’Toole Respite Home was officially opened in Ballindine, Co Mayo, today (Friday, 18 July 2025) by Mary Lardner, on behalf of The Joe and Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust, and Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty.

The €4.7m expansion was made possible by the support of donors and community partners, including a remarkable €2.6m contribution by The Joe and Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust. It marks a major milestone in Western Alzheimer' s mission to improve dementia care services in the west of Ireland.

The development includes the construction of thirteen new ensuite bedrooms, additional day and activity rooms, medical room, welcome atrium, increased kitchen and dining facilities and an enclosed courtyard.

The trust honours the legacy of Joe and Helen O’Toole, whose philanthropic endeavours continue to make a profound difference in the lives of others. Helen and Joe passed away in 2013 and 2019 respectively. The purpose-built expansion will enhance communal resident and visitor areas and ensure a comfortable and welcoming environment for all.

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“It’s a real privilege to be part of today’s opening and to see the meaningful impact that community and generosity can have. What has been achieved here goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about dignity, care and connection. The dedication of Western Alzheimer's and the legacy of Joe and Helen O’Toole are a powerful reminder of the difference people can make when they come together with purpose,” said Patrick Kielty.

Pat McHugh, Chairperson, Western Alzheimer's, expressed gratitude for the trust’s extraordinary donation, emphasising its transformative impact on the organisation’s ability to serve the community. “Our mission at Western Alzheimer's is to empower individuals living with dementia to remain at home and actively engaged in their communities.

"Apart from the residential respite services we provide in Ballindine, we also offer support and advisory services, in-home support, and day care services in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Over 6,000 people live with dementia in the region and these figures are set to double over the next 20 years,” he said.

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Mary Lardner, CEO of O’Toole’s SuperValu and trustee of the charitable trust, highlighted the deep commitment Joe and Helen showed to local causes throughout their lives, particularly those addressing the challenges of dementia. “Joe and Helen recognised the role organisations like Western Alzheimer's play in providing vital support to families affected by dementia. Their generous contribution to Marian House, The Joe and Helen O’Toole Respite Home underscores their enduring legacy of compassion and community service,” she said.

CEO Pat Holmes thanked all who contributed to the project’s success, including community partners, healthcare professionals and the construction team. “We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received throughout this journey. We look forward to continuing our mission and serving our community with compassion and dedication,” said Pat. “The new development increases capacity from 588 weeks of residential respite care to 980 weeks. The building also complies with the latest standards for residential care settings.

For more information about Western Alzheimer's and its services, please visit www.westernalzheimers.ie. See Tuesday's edition of The Mayo News for pictures from the official opening.