Great day at Magheramore as sod turned for hospice
A LONG-HELD dream for a hospice in County Wicklow became a reality last Thursday when the sod was officially turned on the new building.
Over 250 people attended the sod turning in Magheramore which was carried out by Bill Porter of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation.
Minister for Health Simon Harris had been due to turn the sod but last Thursday, as a mark of respect for all the fundraising organised by Mr Porter on behalf of the Foundation Minister Harris handed him the shovel to perform the sod turning.
Sr Susanna Choi of the Columban Sisters handed the shovel to Mr Porter signifying the fact the Columban Sisters had given the site for the hospice to the Foundation allowing fundraising for the building itself to begin in earnest.
Patrons of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, Sir Daniel Day Lewis, Valerie Cox and Shane Byrne were also in attendance on the day as were the many volunteers who have been diligently fundraising for the hospice for the past nine years.
Many of the founding members of the hospice committee were also present including Evanne Cahill, Miriam McGrath and Marie Kindlon with Eugene Murray sending his apologies.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister for Health Simon Harris said: ‘This is a very special day for the people of County Wicklow and a testament to their sense of community and goodwill.
‘I am honoured to be here to join with the Wicklow Hospice Foundation to turn the sod on and signal the start of building on site.
‘I want to pay tribute to the army of volunteers who gave so much time and energy to fundraise and the wonderful people of Wicklow for their great generosity in donating. This fundraising, along with funding of €1.25 million from the Government, has made the dream of a hospice in Wicklow a reality.
‘I want to congratulate the board of directors for their hard work, dedication and determination and thank the Columban Sisters for their considerate donation of this site.
‘When this hospice opens at the end of next year, it will offer day care, outpatient clinics, respite care and access to multi disciplinary specialist services. Palliative care seeks to improve the quality of life of people who need it. It is about putting life into each day. That is what this new hospice, opening in 2019, will do for the people who need it most.’
The 15 bed hospice is due to open to patients in late 2019.