Tag Archives: Haven Horizons

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Simon Harris came to Ennis recently to launch a Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Abuse (DSGBA) Community of Practice. The Community of Practice was developed in collaboration between Haven Horizons and the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS). Speaking at the Haven Horizons Office, Minister Harris said: “This dedicated collaboration between TUS and Haven Horizons and the can-do attitude of both organisations has resulted in remarkable progress in a very short time. Strengthening the engagement and the dialogue between our researchers, community organisations, frontline professionals and wider civil society is critical to achieving our common goal of Zero Tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “Tackling sexual violence and harassment has been and will continue to be a particular policy priority for me and my Department. With the launch of the Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Strategy, I have been very clear that the tertiary education …

THE voices of two brave women who escaped abusive relationships and found support with Clare Haven rang out at the Old Ground Hotel during the launch of new book ‘Light on the Horizon’ last week. The book is the inspiring story of a community that said no to domestic abuse, recalling the founding of Clare Haven 30 years ago, and detailing the ongoing efforts to combat domestic abuse and coercive control in the county. At the launch, audio clips of Joan and Norma (not their real names), who had used the Clare Haven refuge, were played leaving some members of the audience visibly moved. Joan recalled when she left her controlling husband with no idea where to turn. “I walked out just with my handbag and I didn’t know where I was going. Him, saying to me shouting, ‘you’d be nothing, you’re nothing without me, it’s cold out there’ and I thought…just don’t turn, just keep walking. I had €10 …

THE inspirational story of a community that said no to domestic abuse has been brought to life in a brand new book which will be launched in Ennis next week. The public are invited to come and celebrate an important milestone in Clare – the launch of the book ‘Light on the Horizon’ at a wine reception in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis on November 10 at 6.30 pm. The book tells the story of Ennis women Mary Fitzgerald and Colette Redington who met by chance in 1992 when they both helped women who were victims of domestic abuse. Clare Haven was born and three decades later there is a refuge, second-stage houses, a full range of outreach services and education programmes are available to victims of domestic abuse in County Clare. It is an enduring statistic that one in four Irish women who have been in a relationship has been abused by a current or former partner. It became …

THE Clare Association Dublin has saluted Mary Fitzgerald, Maghera, Inagh for her outstanding work and pioneering contribution over many years in helping to address issues surrounding domestic violence and abuse. They named her their 2020 Hall of Fame winner and presented her with her award at their annual award function in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon recently. Tom Conway, chairman of the Clare Association Dublin and also a native of the Inagh area, presented the award and in doing so said that in the early 1990s Mary Fitzgerald first became aware of the plight of women and children fleeing from domestic violence while working at Ennis Garda Station. Indeed a garda station at that time was often the only available safe haven for victims of domestic violence. Mary had previously worked in Calcutta with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and also in a Romanian Orphanage. She was named as Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year in 2018. Her work in this …

Thriving Ennis charity shop provides the perfect example of sustainable social enterprise supporting a vital service COVID-19 brought many challenges to the voluntary retail sector, however an Ennis “charity superstore” is not just surviving, it is thriving. Since opening eight years ago in Munster House in the Gort Road Business Park the Clare Haven Horizons Charity Shop has rapidly expanded. It is now made up of seven units including fashion, furniture and homeware sales, a specific donation drop-off point and an upcoming pop-up Christmas shop. According to manager Mairead Mannion the store’s location and business model allowed it to respond to the pandemic in a way that facilitated its growing success. The shop’s expansion hasn’t just been confined to the physical store however, with Clare Haven Horizons Charity Shop making the move online during the pandemic, attracting a brand new set of customers. Its profile also continues to grow not just locally, but nationally. The shop was recently awarded three …