‘IT is nice to see elderly people looked after in a safe, secure and friendly environment, and have the support of their community around them.’

Aiden McCarthy, chairman of Bantry Care for the Aged, neatly summed up the excellent work that has been achieved in providing quality housing for 17 members of their community.

Aiden, together with Anne O’Sullivan and Joe Cronin, explained how the organisation was able to achieve these goals without grants, subsidies, or state support.

Aiden, as chairperson, Anne as treasurer, and Joe as secretary, alongside committee members Denis Minehane, Finbarr McGrath and Dan McCarthy also set out how the organisation is planning to invest €700,000 in a new project to build three new homes in 2026.

The organisation, which is a registered charity, will have no need to fundraise because within the next six to 12 months they will have enough financial reserves to break ground at the site at Hospital Road.

Since its inception in 1967, the organisation has enjoyed the goodwill of the community.

Land was provided by the church and volunteers helped do the work, while local fundraising efforts led to the building of the houses, as well as a 3,000 sq ft Bantry Day Care Centre, which it now rents to the Health Service Executive.

‘In the past, it would have all been fundraising,’ said Aiden. ‘But that model has changed completely over the years. It would be hard to do that today: instead, we built up a rental income over the years and we also sold three of our older houses that were no longer viable in that they wouldn’t pass inspection even if they had been renovated.’

Over the last ten years, the 17 houses – which includes the three new builds that were completed in 2018 – have been refurbished to the exacting standards required by the health authorities.

Joe Cronin explained that the nine houses in Cuan Mhuire and the eight houses in Ard Mhuire, which has an additional house that has been renovated to provide the organisation with kitchen amenities, have been modernised so they are very comfortable.

Each of the homes, which measure about 600sqft, has one bedroom, a bathroom, and an open living and kitchen area, and are comfortable, efficient and cosy to live in.

The committee members said it is seeing the residents living in such a comfortable environment that inspires them to continue the work they are doing.

All of the homes have been insulated, the bathrooms upgraded so they have easily accessible open showers, and all steps, inside and out, have been removed or replaced with ramps for ease of access.

Providing housing for people in need is evaluated on whether the person has an immediate, short-term or a long-term need. Similarly, Bantry Care for the Aged operates a Meals on Wheels service that has also evolved over the years and is available to anyone in need,
regardless of age.

Previously, that service was provided on a voluntary basis, then the organisation hired a chef to work from its own kitchen, but now it distributes good quality, nourishing meals that they purchase directly from SuperValu.

The rise in the availability of good quality and conveniently prepared food at local deli counters means that some residents choose to do their own shopping.

But for those who are without transport, like the convenience of having one of the 15 volunteers calling to their door every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Between 250 and 300 of these meals are delivered each month, but on Christmas Day, this year, Willie Pa’s restaurant will, for the second year in a row, be providing the festive mid-day meal.

The association appreciates the generous support of the restaurant and indeed the Christmas dinners provided by Seaview House, on a voluntary basis, for the last 35 years.

Anne O’Sullivan explained that Bantry Care for the Aged is a low-cost operation with just one member of staff, an accountant, who does their books at the end of the year.

The committee members explained that the O’Keeffe family in Bantry generously donated the site for the latest housing development at Hospital Road and that they are close to having the full amount for the €700,000 project.

As chairman, Aiden said: ‘It is an easy organisation to work in: the houses were built and the day care centre was built, so it was just a matter of helping out and upgrading them over the last 10 years; and keep an eye on the governance of it.

‘As for the residents, they enjoy being able to live independently. They are happy to have a key to their own front door, as well as the support services around them such as the meals on wheels, and the drop-in day care centre, which offers a full range of health and well-being services, as well as carers calling on a regular basis to their homes,’ he added.

Joe believes Bantry Care for the Aged ‘is a tribute to all those that were involved before us,’ including the then local curate Fr Frank Fehily and local man Jim O’Sullivan.

‘We, as a committee, feel a sense of responsibility to continue that legacy,’ he said.

Anne O’Sullivan, who has been a mainstay of the organisation for the last 30 years, said she too enjoys the work they do.

‘I think the volunteering spirit has gone out of everything at the minute. But my attitude is: ‘If I can help in any way, I will.

‘Some people might say: “We are very busy people,” but you can always make time for these things because nothing can describe the satisfaction you get when you call to these homes and see the residents happy, warm, and comfortable.’