Friends of Respond celebrates 21st anniversary

THE 21 years of ongoing dedicated service from the Ennis-based Friends of Respond was celebrated at the weekend. Respond, the not-for-profit housing association, recognised the support being given to residents and the board of management by the local group and the Ennis community for more than two decades.

According to Paul Hargaden, regional manager of the Western region, “We are a nationwide organisation but we think that Ennis has been our most successful area and Friends of Respond have been the most successful voluntary group in terms of managing their own property and looking after residents so well.”

The past 21 years have seen Respond provide homes in Ennis for families, older persons, the homeless and disabled persons adhering to the principles of the organisation, social investment not financial profit. There are now 70 units in Ennis, as well as a pre-school and afterschool facility in the town.

The current board of management includes three members of the original committee set up in 1991, Tom McGrath, Jimmy O’Loughlin and Teresa Corcoran. Other board members are Mary O’Halloran, Vanessa Callinan, PJ Dixon, Clare McGrath, Bernadette Barry and Margaret Nash.

The celebrations began on Sunday with mass in the Franciscan Friary Church. Fr Pat Cogan OFM, and CEO of Respond celebrated the mass, which was followed by music and refreshments in the Temple Gate Hotel.
Friends of Respond was first established 21 years ago when fundraising began for the development of Cooper’s Place. Built in 1992 and comprising 14 two-bedroom apartments, the accommodation particularly caters for the needs of those of older years.

Respond now has five developments in Ennis. As well as Cooper’s Place, there are developments in Stonecourt, Waterpark View, Orchard Grove and Bridge View.

Speaking about the celebrations, Mr Hargaden paid tribute to all of those who have worked with the organisation in Ennis throughout the years including Jim Lyons, who was one of the main instigators of the group.

“This celebration was a wonderful way for us to acknowledge the 21-year anniversary of the group in Ennis. We invited many of the residents who have lived with us during this time. Really, this was our way of saying thank you to the volunteers and residents for all the work they have done. Apart from a group in Youghal, Ennis is the only one that manages its own properties and they do a fantastic job. We would be delighted if similar groups were set up elsewhere, particularly for the provision of housing for young people and people with special needs,” he said.

Looking to the future, he said, “At the moment, we have no development plans but we will be holding on to what we have and looking after people as best we can living in our housing.”

Attending the event were Mayor of Clare Pat Daly and Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle.

“I would like to express my appreciation to everybody who made the event such a success and I look forward to seeing everyone again in another 21 years,” he concluded.