Maria Goretti Foundation


Dundalk FC Players visit our centre

Dundalk FC Players visit our centre

Dundalk FC Players Brian Gartland (Captain), Robbie Benson & Sean Gannon took time out of their busy schedule to stop by our centre over Christmas to show off their sliverware. We would like to thank the lads for going above and beyond the call of duty as they stayed for most of the day and stood in for plenty of pictures with the kids. We wish them the very best of luck for their 2019...

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Support from Irish Army Members in South Lebanon

Support from Irish Army Members in South Lebanon

On June 9th members of the 112th Irish Infantry Batallion serving in South Lebanon on Peace Support Operations under the Command of Lt Col John Kilmartin conducted the Glenmore Challenge in Support of our respite centre. On the same date and time as the Glenmore home event the soldiers took part in the event in South Lebanon. The idea was organised by Company Quarter Master Sergeant Terry Steeples who is a member of Glenmore Athletic club and is currently serving in Lebanon. Over 200 troops from Ireland, France, Estonia and Italy took part in the event which raised over €5000 for us. CQMS Steeples told us that “although temperatures reached over 30 degrees all troops were more than happy to do their bit and contribute to this great cause”. We are overwhelmed by this generous donation and plan to use the money to purchase outdoor musical equipment which will further enhance our sensory garden. We would like to sincerely thank all the troops serving in the Lebanon and wish...

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Our children grow their own fruit and veg!!

Our children grow their own fruit and veg!!

Our Staff and children have been very busy over the last number of months learning how to grow their own potatoes, broccoli and strawberries to name but a few. To have such facilities on site is all down to you and your fundraising. We cannot thank you enough for giving the children the opportunity to try new things. Its not every day they get to eat strawberries straight from the plant and the parents were going home with bunches of home grown spinach leaves. Well done to the staff and children – great job...

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Testimonials

“My son has severe autism, an intellectual disability and epilepsy. Our lives revolve around him because of his behavioural issues. Until he came here this year he had never spent a night away from me. I could never have asked someone to have him overnight – his behaviour is too challenging. I was very anxious when we came here first, as any mother would be. But Tomas is 12 and he needs some independence. From the first moment, the staff took away my concerns. They focused on Tomas and he didn’t have to fit into the service, they fit the service around him. It’s about the child. It’s person-centred and it’s a high quality service. It has saved me and my family. I can get a night’s sleep, I can spend quality time with my other son. I can breathe, safely knowing that Tomas is not only in safe hands, he is having a great time.”

“My son has Autism, intellectual disability and other issues. I’m with him all the time. I never have five minutes – wherever he is I am. He can’t be on his own at all. Respite really helps us as a family and he loves coming here. He gets so excited coming in the door. With this respite service we can have normal family life.”

“My son can lash out. It can be difficult for his sisters to be around him all the time. The respite gives us that break. The staff here are angels and always go that extra mile.  If we didn’t have the respite we wouldn’t be able to look after our child full time and he would require residential care.  The respite means our child can remain at home.”

“My daughter has Global Developmental Delay and is visually impaired.  When she goes to respite she gets a chance to meet other wee friends and have fun on her sleepover. We recharge the batteries and do activities with the rest of the family.  When she comes back to us we are re energised and in good form which she benefits from greatly.  The respite is so important to us.”

  • Sonia
  • Eileen
  • Rose
  • Maria

Meet Our Amazing Team

Deirdre Quinn

Deirdre Quinn

Sascha Duffy

Sascha Duffy

Agnieszka Wojciechowska

Agnieszka Wojciechowska

Garrett Doyle

Garrett Doyle

Colin Savage

Colin Savage

Lisa Traynor

Lisa Traynor

Nuala Barry

Nuala Barry

Laura Ballentine

Laura Ballentine

Darragh Murtagh

Darragh Murtagh

Claire Dignan

Claire Dignan

Brian Kilboy

Brian Kilboy

Jana Joubert

Jana Joubert

Edel Fahey

Edel Fahey

Shannen O’Grady

Shannen O’Grady

Louise Ryan

Louise Ryan

Mary Duffy

Mary Duffy

Chloe Watters

Chloe Watters