If you’re an older member of the community in Ringsend, Irishtown or Sandymount and find cooking for one tiresome then the Iris Charles Centre on Newbridge Avenue could be of interest to you. Iris Charles, the founder of the organisation, passed away five years ago at the age of 93. She had a keen interest in the welfare of older people in the area. Back in the 50s and 60s Iris and her friends were constantly trying to organise dinners and outings from whatever sources were available to them.

When they got the Centre up and running the Eastern Health Board eventually stepped in and offered dinners four days a week. At that time the meals were sent down to the Centre from Sister Salome in Lakelands Convent. In 1981 the Centre had its own kitchen built on.

The Centre is open for dinner on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 2 pm. Frances Dignam (Chairperson) says they have a great team of volunteers, without whom the place would not survive. They cater for between 12 to 18 men and women every day and there is room for more if anyone would like to avail of this service.

It is a great opportunity to have your meals handed up to you and to have a chat with other people from the area. If you are interested but incapacitated there is the possibility of a taxi to collect you. You can contact Frances at the Centre on Tuesdays between 11 am and 3 pm at 6600191.