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Forty years ago on 29 June 1984 Kerry born Sisters of Mercy Nun, Sr Consilio Fitzgerald opened Cuan Mhuire Addiction Centre on the Armagh Road in Newry. Over the past 40 years the Cuan Mhuire Centre now based on the Dublin Road in Newry, has supported individuals and their families through the turmoil of addiction. Sr Consilio and her committed and dedicated team have helped restore hope and change the lives of many thousands from throughout the North.
Cuan Mhuire is a non-profit organization founded over 50 years ago by Sr.Consilio with the guiding belief that within each person lies innate goodness and the potential for change and healing, regardless of their circumstances or struggles and is dedicated to transforming lives through hope and recovery.
It is Irelands largest addiction treatment organisation with over 510 beds in its five Treatment Centres and seven Transition Houses.
Cuan Mhuire in Newry has had a massive impact both locally and much further afield. Reflecting on the past 40 years Sr Consilio sees the centre's journey and indeed her journey as a great privilege.
“It is with great joy and a deep sense of gratitude to Our Lady and the Lord Himself that we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the presence of Cuan Mhuire here in Newry.
"Forty years ago, Cuan Mhuire Newry opened its doors for the first time to all who were suffering from addiction and its effects. It has been a great privilege for us to have been given the opportunity of welcoming so many people suffering from and tortured by addiction and to have played a role in the recovery and healing of these people as they journeyed day by day with the help of our Programme, to leave behind their old ways, to make new beginnings and gradually become the beautiful people they were meant to be."
Explaining how the centre operates Sr Consilio said "In Cuan Mhuire Newry as in all our Centres throughout the island of Ireland, we know that when we welcome any human being it is the same as welcoming the Lord himself. We strive to provide a highly professional and supportive environment within which individuals could recover, an environment of home and family where they could experience love, come to accept that they are fully deserving of that love, and, even more importantly that they had it within themselves to love others.
"This was the foundation on which our Rehabilitation and recovery services- including the provision of sheltered housing- was developed, All of it under the guidance, and the support of, our Blessed Lady, who has surely made it a home for all who come to its doors."
She is very thankful for what has been achieved "Cuan Mhuire Newry - like the ‘Mustard Seed’ in the Gospel- has grown. Thousands of individuals have passed through its doors and experienced a transformation in their lives which they carried out into their families and communities.
"During a difficult time in our history, and all our lives, Cuan Mhuire established itself as a great sign of unity. This unity is, first and last, focused on the individual person suffering from addiction and on the reality that, in their recovery transformation, we can begin to see the beauty of our God, in whose image we are all created."
Thinking of those who helped along the way and who are no longer with us Sr Consilio said "Those who have now gone to God will be forever remembered and their commitment, selflessness and dedication will never be forgotten. We in Cuan Mhuire also owe a debt of gratitude to all our benefactors who have helped us in so many ways.We also appreciate all those including Civic and political representatives, Church Leaders from all denominations, Health and Housing professionals, Emergency Services and various government departments and other Agencies, Community and Voluntary Groups for their support over the years."
She continued "We are celebrating not just an important milestone; even more, we are acknowledging the reality that helping one another overcomes all of the pain associated with addiction is an experience that transcends all divisions and really does help to bind us together in what is a time of great uncertainty and difficulty.
"I want to thank each and every person who has helped us over the last forty years, particularly those whose calling it is to work in Cuan Mhuire, my colleagues, the Directors, Trustees,Sisters, Support Workers, Fundraisers, Volunteers,Organisers, Administrators, Facilitators, Counsellors, Chefs, Kitchen Staff,Security Staff, Health, Care & Housing Professionals and Friends of Cuan Mhuire volunteers who together form a committed team who work hard at passing on the message of Cuan Mhuire."
In conclusion Sr Consilio added "we look back with thanks and wonder- and look forward with renewed hope. The demand for our critical services have never been higher but I have no doubt that Cuan Mhuire the ‘Harbour of Mary’ will continue to provide the welcome, the support, care and love that it has done so for this past forty years”.
Special Event To Mark 40th Anniversary
This Friday 28 June Cuan Mhuire are holding a ceremony to celebrate those 40 years and will also use the occasion to officially open their Newry Long Term Supportive Accommodation Apartments.
This accommodation will provide urgently needed support for those who are homeless or for those who need more time as part of the continuum of support that sustains recovery and minimises relapse. Prior to this the situation was that once residents had completed the centre's 12-week residential programme they were discharged in order to make access for new residents.
The Residents that choose to live in these apartments will be able to avail of the centre's full range of services which will enhance their chances of recovery and slowly they can ease themselves back to independent living in the community.
