Diocesan News
St Luke’s Home celebrates 25 years in Mahon, Cork
On Thursday 21st November, a large gathering of staff, friends and volunteers came to celebrate, with the residents, 25 years in Mahon for St Luke’s Home, Cork. Mr Tony O’Brien, CEO of the charity, gave the opening address. Bishop Paul Colton, President and Chairman of the charity, warmly welcomed the new Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop Fintan Gavin, and also the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy.
In 1994, the move from what is currently the Ambassador Hotel on Military Hill took place following the gift of a site in Mahon from Cork City Council. Since then, St Luke’s Home has grown from strength to strength and is now a highly regarded campus for the older person with a particular expertise in the area of dementia.
As well as providing a home for 128 residents, St Luke’s also operates a daycare and respite facility, an education centre called Northridge House, a foundation, and a community dementia outreach service.
A registered charity, St Luke’s was delighted to share its birthday celebrations with other key players in the Cork charity sector, namely Noreen Dorgan (CEO of SHARE), Paddy O’Brien (Irish Heart Foundation), and Paula McGovern and Noreen Smiddy from Marymount Hospice, to name a few.
Special presentations were made to staff members who have worked with St Luke’s for the last 25 years and also to four recent retirees. Joan Jeffery, one of the management team who has worked for the charity in Mahon from the outset, replied on behalf of everyone.
Bishop Colton then invited Joan Jeffery to cut the ‘birthday cake’.
Afterwards a new hair salon especially for people living with dementia was opened in Maguire House (one of the four residential areas of the home).
Photography by Diane Cusack
Diocesan Media & Information Technology Officer
087 7055 989
Ms Denise Stobart
media@corkchurchofireland.com