A hall packing event took over the agenda in Knocknagoshel on Thursday, August 15th as the local women’s group celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding.
The celebrations were shared by representatives of local town-lands and those of neighbouring towns and villages.
The foundations of this group goes back to 1992 when Cáit Curtin and a group of volunteers met in the kitchen of her home and discussed setting up a social outlet for the women of Knocknagoshel.
They did so without funding but with Kerry VEC classes and courses the group was up and running in the community centre for the 1994 / ’95 season.
Cáit Curtin – Visionary Founder
Classes, meetings and outings strengthened the bonds within the group and Cáit Curtin, visionary founder of the group became chairperson for a decade long stint from 1992 to 2002.
A survey was conducted early on by Ann Carmody of Lyreacrompane and Catherine Brosnan from Knocknagoshel the result of which determined the need for a social club for older people in the Knocknagoshel area. The response was very positive and it set the tone for the years since.
A pilot over 55s social club programme was formed on Wednesday, June 12th.1996 and it was set up to run for the summer with financial support from the HSE.
The club was run and staffed totally by volunteers and led by Cáit Curtin.
All the food was prepared in the homes of the voluntary team as there were very few facilities in the community centre at that time.
Over 30 Clients on First Day
Over 30 clients turned up on that first day and they kept on coming. The programme proved an instant success with the Knocknagoshel Over 55s Club gathering at the centre every Wednesday with classes, outings and Christmas parties.
In 2006 a dormant accounts fund enabled the group to buy a wheelchair accessible minibus and secure free transport for its own clients through Local Link Kerry and an initially small Meals-on-Wheels service was founded.
A limited company under the title: Knocknagoshel Over 55’s Social Club & Women’s Group was set up in 2007 and the group was well on its way and making headlines through its dedication and service to the senior citizens in its catchment area around The Mall.
Through the tough few years up to 2010 volunteer numbers had declined and the group had to turn to paid staff to augment the work of its volunteers and to ensure the upkeep of its service to its clients and senior citizens.
Meals on Wheels Expanded in 2012
By 2012 the group had expanded its Meals on Wheels services to three days per week and its members were about to embark on some serious fundraising initiatives mixed with entertainment.
In the summer of 2013 they brought Christy Moore to Knocknagoshel Community Centre for a couple of nights of concerts.
Ten years ago, in 2014, through a HSE enhanced home-care package the group launched a second social club on Saturdays.
There was no stopping them now and they pushed on in 2019 with the aid of Clár, Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) funding in provided a new wheelchair-accessible bus.
With this bus the groups was able to transport clients to the centre, to tea dances and for hospital appointments.
Leader Funding Lands Improvements
A new kitchen and toilet facilities were installed provided by the community centre committee through Leader funding and at the same time a new Tuesday club was started up.
The group expanded into the Hot School Meals Programme in Brosna National School.
Initiative taking and hard work earned the group of Knocknagoshel women the community enterprise section of The Kerryman Newspaper Business Awards in Kerry in November 2019.
Clár funding again provided the group with the purchasing power for a new wheelchair-accessible van in 2020 but the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic forced the closure of the club. This resulted in an exponential rise in requests for the group’s Meals-on-Wheels services.
When the chips were down the entire community rallied around and helped in every way they could and there was an ‘Outreach Service’ set up to combat the loneliness and isolation of that strange time.
Hot School Meals Programme
The clubs made a welcome return in June 2021 after a 15 month forced absence.
By 2022 the group’s Hot School Meals Programme had been extended to Mountcollins National School and the women won Gold at the Kerry Community Awards.
The company changed its name in 2023 to Knocknagoshel Over 55’s Services and by then it had extended those services to providing meals to the neighbouring Rockchapel Young at Heart Club and to Knockanure Meals on Wheels Service and, this year, the Hot School Meals Programme to Lyreacrompane National School and Loughfouder National School is the latest to avail of the services provided by the the amazing Knocknagoshel women.
Three Social Club Days Per Week
Nowadays, up to 45 patrons attend the group’s three Social Club days per week the the team delivers over 750 and often up to 800 meals per week plus over 80 school meals daily during term-time.
All food is cooked fresh and from scratch in the centre’s kitchen and the group feels blessed with wonderful allies supported them with funding, advice and encouragement.
There are so many people, groups, companies and organisations who have helped the women on their journey over the years.
They wish to thank their clients who have turned up each week and left with a smile and a thank you or have welcomed them when they drop off a dinner .
They were delighted to see so many old and new friends gathered at the community centre on Thursday.
They appreciate the new friendships that were formed by the representatives from so many groups in surrounding areas that helped in last week’s celebrations.
Community Centre Committee Support
Their appreciation also extends to the committee of Knocknagoshel Community Centre which has supported them over the past 30 years.
In expressing sincere thanks on behalf the women’s group , founder member, Catherine Brosnan said that no one person, no committee, could achieve what has been achieved by their group over the past 30 years without the widespread support of so many communities, people and organisations.
“No number of meetings or grants or funds could deliver support to over 250 older friends six days a week.
“Meetings, funds, and plans are essential to keep an eye on the goal, and to support the work. The actual work is not done by committees,” she said.
A Day All About People
“Today is all about people – the people who have achieved our success are our dedicated, devoted, hardworking and professional staff and volunteers – our staff members are the heroes of Knocknagoshel Over 55’s Services
With the continued support of our community, our friends, our neighbours, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the HSE we have 30 years behind us and we have many more to look forward to le cúnamh Dé,” said Catherine.
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