50 WONDERFUL YEARS OF MALTA SERVICES CARE

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MALTA Services celebrated its 50th Anniversary within the local community in Drogheda with a special mass held in St. Peters Church, West Street.

The Chief Celebrant was Dr. Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of All Ireland, accompanied by Bishop Field of Dublin and Canon Sweeney, PP, St. Peters Parish.

The mass was celebrated on the anniversary of Our Lady of Philermos and also commemorated the Raising of the Siege of Malta in 1565. The beautiful service included participation of Service Users and Staff from Malta Services, the local Order of Malta Drogheda Ambulance Corp and representatives from Order of Malta Ireland and with the wonderful musical and choral accompaniment of Mr. Edward Holly and St. Peters Male Voice Choir.

After mass the celebrations continued up to Fair Street with the official opening of Malta Services Jubilee Garden, by Mr. Richard, Duke de Stacpoole KM, President of Order of Malta – Ireland.

A barbeque then followed with food and refreshments served by staff of local business Pigspit.ie run by Jonathan Marry, Dowth and with entertainment provided by local musicians Gerry Mulroy and Paul Martin

Malta Services was established in 1969 when a sheltered workshop for adults with an intellectual disability was established in the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps (OMAC) premises at St. Laurence’s Gate in Drogheda. This initiative was driven by a voluntary group of parents and members of the Ambulance Corps, in response to the lack of services available for adults with an intellectual disability in the local area.

Over the years (Order of Malta Sheltered Workshops), have gone through many changes and moved to various locations in the town, finally settling in Fair Street and rebranded as Malta Services Drogheda in 1999. So what started out as a small group of 6 clients and 4 volunteers to meet a local need, has grown and developed to the professional service today. They currently provide services to 108 Service Users, supported by 40 Staff (both full and part time).

The service is overseen by a Board of Directors drawn from members of Order of Malta Ireland, parent representatives and locals versed in the needs of the Service Users. The service is fully funded by the HSE and through a number of annual fundraising events.

2019 has seen the group return to itsroots, with the Choices Unit for school leavers moving out of Fair Street and back into the Order of Malta Ambulance Corp premises at St. Laurence’s Gate. This is part of the programme to decongest the Fair Street site and make it a more user friendly service location.

Malta Services Staff at the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the BBQ at Malta Services

Richard, Duke De Stacpoole KM, President of Order of Malta Ireland presenting Michael Mc Cormick with the Malta Silver Medal in recognition for his work with Malta Services

Dr Eamon Martin Archbishop of Armagh with members of the Order of Malta Drogheda.

Photos: Dr Eamon Martin Archbishop of Armagh and Patrick Neary at the Malta Services Golden Jubilee at St Peters Church. Jimmy Weldon

Mark Bowden and Desmond Carroll Knight and Chancellor at the Malta Services.

Ivan Healy, chairperson, Malta Services board of management, speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

James and Ellen Dockrell with Archbishop Dr Eamon Martin.

Peter Delaney with Claire McDonnell.

Dame Maeve Dwyer and Dame Cabrini Flynn.

Richard Duc De Stapoole, president of the Irish association of the Order of Malta speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the BBQ at Malta Services.

John Igoe, director of services, speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the BBQ at Malta Services.

Tamara, Rita and Alison Matthews at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Cadets Susan Smyth and Aine O’Brien.