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Speaking at today's 40th Anniversary Celebrations for Cuan Mhuire, CEO Gerry McElroy pointed out that an incredible 25,000 people have come through the doors of the addiction treatment centre in the 40 years since it opened in Newry.
Well over 100 people turned up at Cuan Mhuire on the Dublin Road in Newry today. Opening on 29 June 1984 at the former Good Shepherd Convent on the Armagh Road in Newry, it moved in 2012 to its present site on the Dublin Road. Cuan Mhuire is Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of addiction treatment services and residential rehabilitation.
Cuan Mhuire was founded by Sister Consilio who grew up on the Cork Kerry border and joined the Sisters of Mercy in Athy in 1959. Unfortunately Sr Consilio couldn't make it to the celebrations but her sister Sister Agnes Fitzgerald who also was in Newry from the start spoke eloquently at the event about how Cuan Mhuire came about.
Guests on the day also included First Minister Michele O'Neill; Archbishop Eamonn Martin; Cllr Pete Byrne, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Edwina Flynn, President, Newry Chamber.
Cuan Mhuire representatives included Sr Agnes, Sister Sheila Cronin, Head of Home; Gerry McElroy, CEO and Board Chairperson Paul O'Donoghue; Also present on the day was Hale Williams from Bessbrook the very first person to enter the facility in 1984. A residents choir perfectly entertained the visitors.
The benefit the facility to the entire community over the past 40 years is immeasurable. Many of those present had a story to tell about how it helped them or their family member or friend.
Cuan Mhuire
Speaking about the journey to open Cuan Mhuire in Newry Sr Agnes said "I would like to begin by congratulating all those who over the past 40 years have worked so tirelessly in Cuan Mhuire in the Armagh Road and Cuan Mhuire here in the Dublin Road. Thank you all very, very much."
Homeless men from the area used to call with Sr Consilio in St Vincent's in Athy. Sr Agnes explained "every night she went down and she talked to them. She made sure they got a good dinner and she found herself wondering, what would her mother feel if a son of hers were walking the roads of Ireland with no place to lay his head, and very little likelihood of any improvement in his state, and she thought that some day somewhere, somehow, she'd put some kind of a home or a house together, where these people could spend a few nights if it were raining, or even a week or a fortnight if they were tired."
Unfortunately she was moved from St Vincent's back to work in the convent, and that seemed like the end of her dream but of course the callers found her and called at the convent door.
One regular caller told her "the nights he came and talked to her and poured out what was bothering him, he didn't have to drink. When a number of nights went past and he didn't call he drank." More women and more men came and they outgrew the facilities in the convent building but Sr Consilio managed to convert an old dairy in the convent grounds and then opened the first purpose built Cuan Mhuire in 1972 near Athy. Today there are 5 Cuan Mhuire centres throughout Ireland.
Sr Agnes continued "Several of those who came in the 80s were from the north of Ireland and there were lots of requests that Consilio would open a place in the north. A number of places were looked at but there was always something that didn't fit. Then she heard that the Good Shepherd Convent in the Armagh Road was for sale. She approached Cardinal O'Fiaich. They had known each other because he taught in Maynooth and Consilio was down the road in Athy.
He listened to Sr Consilio and explained that he thought she was maybe taking the wrong step, a step too far coming to the north of Ireland on her own literally. Sr Agnes said "She was quick to explain to the Cardinal that she wasn't on her own. She said she wouldn't dream of coming on her own. She said Our Lady is coming with me and the Cardinal said, I have rarely if ever heard such faith."
Sr Agnes added "He welcomed her in to his diocese and he was really what kept Cuan Mhuire going when there were many difficulties later on."
25,000 admissions
Also speaking was Gerry McElroy, CEO of Cuan Mhuire. He said "Sister Agnes we are immensely grateful for your extraordinary dedication and support for the past 40 years and are delighted to have you here with us today.
"Cuan Mhuire has been a harbour, a safe haven and is wholly inclusive and embracing, especially for those who feel marginalised. Over the past 40 years, we have had approximately 25,000 admissions and helped many 1000s of families throughout Northern Ireland. Therefore, we thank you for trusting with us your journeys. Your courage and resilience inspires us every day, and reminds us of the importance of our work. Particularly, we're pleased to welcome Hale Williams, who was the very first resident of Cuan Mhuire 40 years ago and is here with us today for this special occasion."
A block of new apartments were officially opened at the facility today. McElroy explained "In 2012 we opened on this site here on the Dublin Road, and at that time, part of our plans was to build long term apartments but due to financial constraints, we weren't able to proceed at that time. Today we are incredibly proud to have completed these apartments, which will benefit residents as part of their treatment and support. I'd like to O'Carroll Fitzgerald who were project managers of this development. To our dedicated staff and volunteers - each day you bring hope and healing to those in need, and your impact is immeasurable."
He concluded "Finally, I would like to thank our directors and trustees who over the years have given endless guidance and wisdom and have steered Cuan Mhuire through challenges and opportunities alike ensuring that we remain true to our mission and values."
Thanks
Cllr Pete Byrne gave an emotional reflection on the importance of Cuan Mhuire sharing his family's experience with addiction and how it helped his parents turn their lives around.
He explained "My Mum and Dad are in the best health today because of the work of the staff and the volunteers of Cuan Mhuire.
"For 20 years me and my four brothers thought we had all the answers and tried to tackle the issue ourselves but it was absolutely impossible and it was ripping our family apart. Addiction is a really, really tough illness. It's tough on those people going through it, and it's tough on the families as well. But completing the program here, I mean, it does restore hope, the life it gives back to those people and the life it gave back to our family. I can't thank yous enough."
Cllr Byrne continued "I've learned a lot from this place. The journey through the 12 weeks is tough and for all those residents that are here on that journey stick with it. It will change your life, It is tough at times. There's times you'd feel like throwing the towel in but there are brighter skies at the end of the day. I want to thank personally the choir for that song Amazing Grace. It genuinely touched my heart because when your parents are in here, my Mum in particular who I am extremely close to, the first day that I took her in I don't know how I walked back out the gate to leave her there."
Cllr Byrne heard that his mother was singing in the Cuan Mhuire Choir at an event and made it his mission to attend. "I've never heard my Mum singing in her life and there was some service on. I can't remember exactly where it was but I got myself there and she didn't know I was there and I sat at the back. And there she was standing proud, strong tall and singing the song Amazing Grace and it genuinely genuinely choked me. And I walked away from there and I thought you know what? She has this, she's getting through this and this place is absolutely working for her."
The Council Chairperson has chosen Cuan Mhuire as his Charity of the Year to raise funds for "I want to give back to this place that gave a lot to me and my family. Without it I wouldn't be standing where I am today"
