26 Aug 2021
Cuan Mhuire is Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of addiction treatment services and rehabilitation, working with people who suffer from alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions. With 2,500 people admitted to their centres across Ireland every year, Cuan Mhuire has treated approximately 100,000 people since its foundation in 1966. Their programmes range from 12 weeks to 20 weeks, and beyond, personalised to each individual case, with additional aftercare, family support, and life skills training. The Cuan Mhuire mission is “To provide an environment in which people who feel rejected and dejected because of their addictions become aware of, and learn to deal with the underlying problems relating to these addictions and discover their uniqueness, goodness, giftedness and their real purpose in life.”
Bro Giacomo Gelardi MSC recently visited the Cuan Mhuire centre in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, where MSC funding recently allowed for the replacement of the chapel roof. George, one of the Cuan Mhuire Ballybay team, writes to tell us more about the centre and the work done there on a daily basis.
Cuan Mhuire Ballybay
“We were delighted to welcome Bro Giacomo to visit us here in Cuan Mhuire Ballybay in recent times. It was an opportunity to thank the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for their funding support for the replacement of our Chapel roof, which over the years had fallen into a very poor state of repair. We were very grateful to have this work completed late last year and to know that our little Chapel is safe and dry.
Cuan Mhuire Ballybay first opened its doors in 2007 as a Transition House, providing continued support to men who, having completed a Cuan Mhuire Residential Treatment Programme, need extra time and aftercare to continue their recovery and often to address issues such as homelessness. The house caters for 12 male residents, and gives them opportunities to access training, employment and, through one-to-one work, address barriers to independent living.”
“Faith and special devotion to Our Lady has always been at the heart of all we do here in Ballybay.”
“In addition to the Main House for the residents, the adjacent Fitzgerald Centre provides a strong community dimension. The Centre is used to support those in addiction, their families, and the wider community. Our weekly Aftercare meeting is held there as well as Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Al Anon, and Gam Anon meetings. On any given week more than 160 people avail of our services, which also include counselling, family advice and support, as well as referrals to Cuan Mhuire Treatment Centres. At the heart of all our services is our ‘Open Door’ Policy and people come from the greater Cavan/Monaghan area to seek support. As part of our community outreach, we are also happy to offer the use of our facilities to various local and community groups supporting the elderly, mental health, and family support services.
We are very fortunate to have beautiful grounds, which are maintained by our residents. Sitting in a quiet corner is our little flag-stoned chapel. It is modelled on the City of the Poor Chapel in Lourdes. This is a non-denominational place of prayer and quiet for people to visit of all faiths and none. It is open 24 hours a day and it provides an oasis of peace for people from far and wide. Faith and special devotion to Our Lady has always been at the heart of all we do here in Ballybay. Each year, our Cuan Mhuire Ballybay Novena takes place from August 7th to 15th, and it draws people of every age and walk of life. An average of 350/400 people attend daily.”
“Cuan Mhuire Ballybay is above all a place of welcome.”
“As with all aspects of life, Cuan Mhuire Ballybay activities have been restricted due to COVID-19. We have endeavoured to maintain contact and offer support to people through telephone calls. We look forward to gradually re-opening all our services in the coming months and most especially to our Novena again in 2022.
We were delighted to be able to share our story with Giacomo during his visit, we and look forward to welcoming him back to visit us again – he knows where we are!
Cuan Mhuire Ballybay is above all a place of welcome where those in need due to addictions or other life difficulties can find support, feel at home, and find the healing that they need to continue their life’s journey.”
