L-R Moorehaven CEO Mike Murnane, Liam Cahill Manager Tipp Senior Hurling Team, Bernadette Kiely Chairperson of the Board at Moorehaven
Over 250 people attended the Moorehaven Open Evening last night in Tipperary town.
Moorehaven provides day services and plans to provide respite accommodation for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in the Mid-Western region.
Tipperary senior hurling manager Liam Cahill was on hand to formally open the new Sensory Butterfly Garden at the O’Brien Street location which was generously supported by the staff at Abbott Clonmel.
The centre currently avails of space at the Tipperary Excel Centre, Cashel Shopping Centre and will soon have a new Day Services Centre in Liberty Square Thurles, a new training hub on St Michael’s Street Tipperary town(2026) and a new residential respite centre in Kingswell near Tipperary town before the end of the year. The centre currently has five residential homes in Tipperary town.
Last night’s event also featured a display of artwork by the service users and very generous food offerings via a BBQ with refreshments also available in the canteen with a DJ to create a joyous atmosphere as service users, their families, supporters of the Centre, Staff and a number of local public representatives toured the extensive facility.Two major fundraising events for Moorehaven are also planned for the coming months. Doon Vintage Society is to host a Vintage Run on June 21st and a Rally event at Tipperary Racecourse on June 22nd. The group had many of their vintage cars, tractors and engines on display last night. A Golf Classic to raise funds is also scheduled for August 29th at Tipperary Golf Club. While the HSE funds a major part of Moorehaven’s operating costs funds are needed to modify and renovate a property recently purchased in Kingswell near Tipperary town to provide a Residential Respite Service. The JP McManus Foundation has supported Moorehaven as have many other businesses, individuals, Staff Associations all of whom were acknowledged by Moorehaven’s Chairperson Bernadette Kiely. A mini bus was proudly displayed last night that was purchased with the aid of employees at Chadwick’s and funds raised by 3 staff members at Moorehaven who completed a sponsored Sky Dive.
An anonymous benefactor has greatly helped efforts to raise the €600,000 needed to fit out the Respite Home to HIQA standards.
Moorehaven caters for 127 service users supported by more than 100 dedicated staff. CEO Mike Murnane was generous in his praise of the Board led for 27 years by Denis Kennedy who stepped down this year and also the staff, the families, the supporters and the wider community for making Moorehaven a special place. Ms Kiely describes the service as the place “where learning, discovery and support come to life, where potential is nurtured and dreams are pursued.”
