Margaretholme in Claremount Road, Sandymount is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. When I visited recently, the complex was quiet and orderly. Indoors, the smell of brasso from the recently-polished doorknobs, combined with the bright sunlight made for a relaxing wait on the comfortable seating of the lounge.

Doreen Colvin, head of Margaretholme for eight and half years greeted me. She told me that there are 40 units, mostly single with some units for couples. At present, there are 14 men and the rest are women. Usually, the residents are over the age of 70, though some are as young as 65.

The staff offers unobtrusive, quality care to their residents in a way that maintains the residents’ independence whilst offering a sense of security with a 24-hour service. There is a daily morning routine check-up where the client puts up a sign in their apartment window. This allows staff the opportunity of knowing that all is well. Lunch is provided if required.

Doreen tells how in the past few years they have strived in the changing times to provide a circle of caring. This included forging strong links with the Public Health Services to ensure the best medical attention for their own residents and the continuance of ongoing care should referral to a nursing home become necessary.

Special reference was made to the excellent services now provided by the Public Health Nurse. There is also a sick bay in the complex for minor illnesses.

Sr. Mary Lalor who is the Director of Sheltered Housing with the Methodist Dublin Central Mission, and Bill Colvin, the Assistant Director in Margaretholme joined us. All three are totally committed to their work.

At the start of the 20th century the Methodist Church set up the Dublin Central Mission to service the inner-city poor and especially address the plight of old people from the tenement areas.
In the 1940s Sr. Margaret Hunter, who later became an ordained deaconess with the Methodist Church, began her 23 years of living and working for the needy of Dublin with the Dublin Central Mission. Her greatest wish was to provide a place where the old and needy could have a home.

She died in 1960, two months before the first step was taken to start the Margaretholme project. Her vision was continued by Hugh Allen and others and in 1961 the house then known as Mount Hulings was bought. With government assistance and response to 13,000 appeal letters, the original house was demolished and the apartments built.

The Dublin Central Mission continues to place great emphasis on its ecumenical approach. There is a mix of religious denominations and those with no religious leanings resident in the complex or members of the staff. Sr. Mary who is a Roman Catholic nun had great praise for the success of this ecumenical approach and the vision of earlier Methodists who laid down these criteria for their services.

There is an ongoing need for funding. Government funding is substantial at building level but is meagre to non-existent for the on-going running costs. With new legislation, volunteer input has decreased greatly thus increasing wage costs.

Contribution from the residents helps but it is a constant struggle to keep up with rising costs. We can all help by remembering to contribute to the Help the Aged Flag Day held each December or by making donations or lobbying for more funding.

Before I left, I met with a sprightly resident who enjoys an active sporting life. He came to the home some eight months ago and admits to a sense of trepidation about making this move but has no regrets. He finds the organisation friendly and inclusive and says “they go out of their way tomake life very pleasant for the residents.”

Another resident, Amy Stephens, has spent the last twelve years in one of the chalets. She had a fall, which left lingering problems, and declares her deep gratitude for the assistance she has received. She feels a sense of belonging to a family. Amy once worked with Sr Margaret Hunter and reckons that Margaretholme is a fitting memorial to her.

In October 1965 at the opening ceremony the new name was announced, Margaret in honour of Sr. Margaret Hunter, and holme, a word which means harbour or place of refuge.

A concert to celebrate the anniversary will take place at St Phillips and St James Church, Booterstown on 22nd October. Everyone is welcome and the admission is €12.

Every second Sunday at 3pm an interdenominational service is held in Margaretholme led by local church ministers and priests which is open to residents and friends.

Above, from left: Doreen Colvin, Bill Colvin and Sr. Mary Lalor.
Left, in the dining room: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Marshall.