11/02/2011

Waterford Seniors' Home Opens

Some of Waterford's poorest residents have been handed a boost with the Little Sisters of the Poor - who have been caring for senior citizens since 1868 - celebrating their new St. Joseph's complex, complete with new chapel at Abbey Road, Ferrybank.

Built at a cost of €23m St. Joseph's comprises 50 bedrooms, 22 apartments and a host of facilities and is said to be a long way in style and comfort from the old St. Joseph's at Manor Hill, which was home to the Little Sisters of the Poor since their arrival in the city a century and a half ago.

The 18 sisters will reside on the top floor of the building and the remaining floors will be taken up with residential accommodation comprising of ensuite bedrooms and apartments including a living room, kitchen, bedrooms and storage space.

The building has been designed with a village feel. On the ground floor the facilities include lounges, a multi-purpose hall, library, kitchen, dining rooms, chapel, hair salon a medical centre, craft room and a shop.

Some of the bedrooms have balconies overlooking the river while others overlook the primary or Abbey secondary school.

Much of the total cost of the new building is in place but €2m still needs to be raised - most likely through voluntary effort.

Despite the fact that a final fundraising push has to get underway the Little sisters, staff and residents are delighted with what has been achieved on the Abbey Road, reported the Waterford News & Star.

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 February 2011
Nursing Home Beats Planning Appeal
Work is expected to commence soon on a four-block, 105-bed spaces nursing home in Ashbourne, Co Meath. Although a third party appeal was submitted against the construction of the nursing home at Hunters Lane, Dunreagh Townland, Ashbourne, An Bord Pleanala has dismissed the appeal.
13 March 2024
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
15 November 2019
New Built Heritage Investment Scheme Launched
A new Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund for 2020 has been launched by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan. Making the announcement, Minister Madigan said: "It gives me great pleasure to launch the 2020 built heritage schemes, which are now open for applications.
16 February 2018
State Still Waiting For New Schools To Built From 2013
Fianna Fáil has criticised the Government over its "failure to get to grips with its own annual plans for the construction of new schools across Ireland over the last five years". Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills, Thomas Byrne, said that construction is yet to even start on five schools which were first announced in 2013.
17 July 2015
New Purpose Built Crèche Announced For Tallaght Hospital
Fine Gael has welcomed the news that a new purpose built crèche is to be established at Tallaght Hospital in conjunction with the new Paediatric Satellite Centre. "This is fantastic news for parents who use the crèche, the staff and the wider workforce of the hospital.