Dundalk Mental Health Association’s farewell party
IT’S often said that all good things come to an end and that was the story on Halloween night Oct 31st when the Dundalk Mental Association held a final party in Oriel Park to end over 28 years of involvement with the local community.
The association was affiliated with Mental Health Ireland and over the years have carried out the dual objectives of promoting positive mental health in the larger community and befriending those with mental health difficulties.
The party in Oriel Park was attended by many local service users and members of the association past and present who have given their time freely over these many years. Although it was a sad time it was also a time of celebration when everyone remembered all the great nights an outing’s organised for local service users over the years and all the projects delivered throughout that time. There was a satisfac- tion in the fact that a valuable contribution had been made to our local community.
It was a privilege to welcome some of the founding members who had the foresight to start the ball rolling all those years ago. Present were Colm and Mary Breathnach, Una Crilly and Vera McEneaney and other founder members who couldn’t be present were Pat Black, Ciara Breathnach, Annmarie Malone, Maria McEneaney, Sarah Cullen and Brid Woods who was prominent in instigating their ‘Rose day’ collection.
The gathering also poignantly remembered other founding members, Teresa Murphy, Teresa Power and Maura Mulgrew who have sadly passed on.
There were many members who gave voluntarily of their time over the years with special thanks to Mary Murray, Dr. Geraldine Lyster and Nuala Boyle for their dedicated service of over 25 years to the association. A special acknowledgement must go to the Murray family who have been steeped in the Dundalk Mental Health Association throughout its history with Mary’s husband Colm and daughter Majella also currently on the committee.
Mental Health Ireland and all the area representatives including John Maquire, Michael McGinn and Sean Kiernan played an important supportive role and many of the local projects could not have been fulfilled without the support of them and those in the local community. There are many others who played their part over the years including nursing and care staff along with those providing transport but finally all the local service users were thanked for their valuable participation over the many years and for allowing the association to share in some wonderful experiences and be part of their lives throughout the years.