Nine residents are moving into their dream homes

Nine residents are moving into their dream homes, following the complete redevelopment of the age-friendly social homes at Bethany House, Sandymount.

The nine residents were among the residents of the original Bethany House – a complex of 39 social homes originally owned and operated by St Vincent de Paul. The residents moved into alternative accommodation after St Vincent de Paul gave the scheme to Clann for redevelopment but have been looking forward to returning to their new and improved homes.

Eileen Delany, one of the returning residents, commented: “I’m a mixture of excited and nervous. I have lots of memories in the old Bethany House, but I know I’ll make lots of new memories here too. I’m looking forward to socialising with all the residents in our new communal space – I’m a real people person so I’m keen to get to know the new residents. It’ll be something special – a new beginning for everyone.

“I’m over the moon to be moving into my new apartment. I’ve always wanted a top floor apartment with a balcony, so I told Clúid that from the start. My old home was nice, but it was all in one room, so it was cluttered. Here I’ll have room for my office, my jigsaws and my DIY. I have my pictures framed and ready to go on the walls. I can’t wait to move in and say ‘Wow, wow, wow!’”

Brian O’Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Clúid, commented: “This project is a real example of collaboration between Clúid; St Vincent de Paul and the Religious Sisters of Charity, who donated the land; the residents who helped shape the design; Dublin City Council; the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, The Housing Agency; and the Housing Finance Agency. I hope that we have repaid the trust that all our partners have placed in us. In particular, I hope the residents, both new and returning, will feel at home here, and will feel that they can build a community in this redeveloped and revitalised Bethany House.”

The homes have been redeveloped by Clúid and will be managed by Clann, Clúid’s age-friendly offering. As well as the returning residents, the new Bethany House will be home to individuals and couples aged 55 and over from Dublin City Council’s housing list. The homes were designed by Walsh Associates Architects, and the main construction contractor was Monami Construction Ltd. Project partners included KSNPM, Hayes Higgens Associates, Varming Consulting Engineers, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds & Jensen Hughes Ireland.