Ground broken on new day care centre

WORK on the €3 million Cuan an Chláir Day Care Centre and housing project officially began this week.

A traditional sod-turning ceremony was held at Cahercallamore on Tuesday to mark the start of building work on the centre and 12 sheltered houses for use by the older people of Ennis and its environs.

The centre and houses are being built on lands donated by the Killaloe Diocesan Trust. Building contractor, Ennis-based Pat Keogh Construction, successfully tendered for the project, the overall cost for which is €3.063m. It is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Pauline McNamara, chairperson of Cuan an Chláir, is delighted that the project is becoming a reality.

“Our fundraising began just as the recession took hold. We are fully aware that people have a lot less disposable income than they used to have and that makes us all the more grateful for the donations received to date.

“As a wholly voluntary organisation, the turning of the sod represents a great milestone for those who have given of their time so generously to make this day possible.”

Fundraising for this local cause will continue apace and Mary O’Sullivan, chair of the Cuan An Chláir fundraising committee, acknowledged her team of volunteers, while also taking the opportunity to ask those interested in helping with fundraising initiatives to make contact with her through the Ennis Parish Office.

With bricks and mortar falling into place, Pauline is confident the people of Clare, and, in particular, the people of Ennis, will be even more supportive of this cause.

She pointed out that the housing element of this project is, for the most part, funded by Clare County Council through the Government Capital Assistance Scheme. However, the daycare element has to be funded through Cuan’s own fundraising activities, which will be accelerated now that building work has begun.

Pauline added, “We need to raise € 1.5m in order to complete the day care centre and we still have some way to go towards achieving that goal, but God is good and the businesses and people of Clare are generous.

“Once built, the services provided by this day care centre will make a big difference to the quality of the lives of older people living in Ennis and also to the quality of the lives of their family and carers,” he concluded.