Foundation for Ireland Awards €10,000 to Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels

At a Wednesday Over 55 Social Club gathering hosted by Knocknagoshel Women’s Group at the local community centre in 1998 were, from left: Catherine Herlihy, Knocknagoshel; Eileen O’Connor, Castleisland and Hannah Canty, Lyreacrompane. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25-3-1998

Four local men at a Wednesday Over 55 Social Club gathering at Knocknagoshel Community Centre in 1998 were, from left: Patsy O’Connor, Willie Roche, Joseph O’Connell and Seán O’Lyons. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25-3-1998

Service founder member, Cáit Curtin at Knocknagoshel Community Centre as an Over 55 Club is being run inside by the Knocknagoshel Women’s Group in March 1998. © Photograph: John Reidy

At an Over 55 Social Club gathering hosted by Knocknagoshel Women’s Group at the local community centre in 1998 were: Paddy and Cáit Cotter and Cait’s sister Julie O’Carroll. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25-3-1998

At the regular Wednesday Over 55 Social Club gathering hosted by Knocknagoshel Women’s Group at the local community centre in 1998 were, from left: Tim O’Donoghue, Knocknagoshel; Neilie Horan, Castleisland and Danny Joyce, Lyreacrompane. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25-3-1998

Local ladies at an Over 55 Social Club, Wednesday gathering at Knocknagoshel Community Centre were, from left: Ellie O’Connor, Hannah Mai Brosnan and Nell O’Connor. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25-3-1998

Member of the Knocknagoshel Women’s Group preparing for one of their Over 55 Club days in March 1998. Included are from left: Maureen O’Sullivan, Noreen Broderick, Anne Carmody, Kathleen O’Connor, Catherine Lenihan, Sheila Collins and Frances Johnson. © Photograph: John Reidy

A voluntary group which was set up in Knocknagoshel in 1994 after a survey on the needs of the senior citizens of the area has just been awarded a €10,000 grant from the 2020 Community Foundation of Ireland for its greatly appreciated and far reaching services.

The grant couldn’t have come at a better time for Knocknagoshel as the service is groaning under the weight of demand not to mention the pressures on the almost two dozen staff and volunteers- and volunteers are always welcome.

Pre 1994 Survey

That pre 1994 survey was carried out on behalf of the Sliabh Luachra Local Development group by Ann Carmody of Lyreacrompane and Catherine Brosnan of Knocknagoshel and its findings formed the foundation of the ‘Over 55 Club’ at Knocknagoshel Community Centre.

The formation of the group, which was led by local woman, Cáit Curtin led to a Social Club which operated on Wednesdays at the centre for the senior citizens of the area.

By 2019 the group operated a club three days per week and meals-on-wheels on four days per week.

Now a Six-Day Service

Now operating on a six-day-week basis and reaching ever further into its hinterland, the Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels service prepares, packs and delivers up to 700 meals to people within and well beyond the parish borders.

“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have closed our ‘Social Clubs’ and all our efforts are going into the Meals on Wheels service and in supporting the members of our community to self isolate,” said spokesperson Catherine Lenihan.

Five Vans on the Road

“We have five vans on the road now and that’s six days-a-week. At the last count we are sending out 700 meals to a wide area. We’re taking in Abbeyfeale – since their service closed down last year – and we’re touching on Athea, Mountcollins and Brosna and into the area around Kilmurry in Cordal and out at far as Rathea Church beyond Lyreacrompane,” said Catherine.

Laundry Service

We’re delivering hot meals to clients and we’re also collecting and returning laundry which is washed in our community laundry in the centre in Knocknagoshel.

“We deliver groceries and prescriptions also and our area is expanding daily.

“We also have a phone support service which provides a listening ear and advice for older people who may be lonely or confused,” said Catherine.

Listening Ear Service

Clients are advised to ring Mary before 11 am on 087 12 69 270 with your Eircode to receive a hot main course for €5 or a three-course meal for €7 or for the number of the phone support service.

For more information you can click on the link here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Food-Delivery-Service/Meals-on-Wheels-Knocknagoshel-105224794456248/

About The Community Foundation for Ireland

The Community Foundation for Ireland is a 20 year old organisation which has started a Covid-19 Response Fund to direct philanthropic support towards community and voluntary sector organisations in Ireland.

Its aims centre on supporting vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, homeless and those with respiratory issues, in the escalating Covid-19 situation.

The Fund was commenced with some of its own grant monies and a number of donors have already pledged their support to The Fund, which already exceeds €1.5 million.