It was June 29, 1984 when Kerry-born Sisters of Mercy nun, Sr Consilio Fitzgerald, opened Cuan Mhuire Addiction Centre on the Armagh Road in Newry.
In the forty years since, Cuan Mhuire Centre in Newry has supported individuals and their families through the turmoil of addiction.
Sr Consilio and her committed and dedicated team have helped restore hope and change the lives of many thousands of people who came through their doors.
Little did she realise, back in 1984 when arriving in Newry with her small group of dedicated supporters, the impact that Cuan Mhuire would have.
Sr Consilio and Cuan Mhuire is respected and appreciated by families and communities from all traditions and backgrounds. In 2012 Cuan Mhuire left the Armagh Road and opened a new centre on the Old Dublin Road.
Camlough man Pat McGinn has known Sr Consilio and experienced the work of Cuan Mhuire for over 30 years. He first met her as a resident in her Newry Cuan Mhuire, like many others there, using what was freely on offer from Sr Consilio, her staff and volunteers, to turn his life around and to get free a day at a time from alcohol addiction.
Pat has for many years been involved with Cuan Mhuire and he remains a very proud member of the Cuan Mhuire family.
He will be running this year’s Belfast Marathon (May 5) not only to raise funds for Cuan Mhuire but to celebrate the 40 years of service.
He says that his 26-mile run challenge is also a personal act of gratitude and in memory of the great friends who he met over the years in Cuan Mhuire.
This Saturday, March 23, in Camlough, Pat and other members of the ‘Friends of Cuan Mhuire’ will be holding a ‘Bucket Collection’ to start the fundraising campaign. Donations can also be made direct to Cuan Mhuire through their social media accounts.
Pat commenting on Cuan Mhuire and his gratitude for all involved with the Charity over the years said: “Cuan Mhuire has a special place in the hearts and memories of many.
“Over the years I have met and became friends with wonderful people, from all backgrounds, who like myself entered Cuan Mhuire a broken human being, but left it with renewed hope and the support to help change our lives for the better.
“We owe a lot to Sr Consilio and her small group of dedicated and committed helpers who with her founded the ‘Harbour of Mary’ (Cuan Mhuire) in Newry. There were many local people who were good to Sr Consilio in those early days and over the years and I know she deeply appreciated them.
“Many of those who I met along the way in my Cuan Mhuire journey are gone but they are still very much alive in my memory. I will be thinking of them on my 26 mile run, it won’t be easy but they the way they did it all those years ago, will get me home.
Street Collection, Camlough Village, Saturday, March 23, 9am-3pm. Donations can be made direct to Cuan Mhuire through its fundraising Page or contacting 02830849010
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