About Us
History
The Cuan Mhuire story begins with Sr. Consilio's (then Eileen Fitzgerald) early experience of ‘family; growing up on a farm near the Cork/Kerry border. Here, she experienced and internalised the unconditional love of her parents and the innate goodness that is at the heart of every individual.
On completion of her second-level education at the Convent of Mercy, Abbeyfeale, she trained as a nurse at the North Infirmary, Cork. On completion of her training she joined the Sisters of Mercy, Athy, Co. Kildare. She later did her Midwifery training at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork. As a young nun she worked as a Nurse in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy which was then a ‘County Home’. Here she came in contact with the ‘men of the road’ who came for a nights lodgings. She was greatly moved by the struggles of these men who went from county home to county home. She came to realise that many were homeless because of their addiction to alcohol.
I was interested in them and found them to be intelligent, often well educated people. Some of them had even changed their names as they didn’t want to be recognised, they were so ashamed of their lifestyle. I often talked to them about their families and encouraged them to write home. In particular if their mothers were alive. I often thought how my mother would worry if a brother of mine were in a similar position. As time went on I began to realise more and more that these people were my brothers and I said to myself ‘Someday, Somewhere, Somehow, I will have a place that these people can call home
Cuan Mhuire’s distinctive and experientially- based programme is among the great innovations in the treatment of addictions. It is based on the belief that each Human Being is of eternal value, is capable of wholeness in human and spiritual terms, that there are no hopeless cases. It recognises the innate goodness and giftedness of all who come through it’s doors.
Cuan Mhuire started in 1966 in a room in the Convent of Mercy, Athy. Later it had the use of the ‘Old Dairy’. Soon, however, these facilities could not accommodate the number of people seeking help. In 1972, the first purpose built Cuan Mhuire was developed by Sr. Consilio and the men she had helped. It was located on a 50 acre farm near the town of Athy. In 1992, this campus was greatly extended with the practical help and support of her brother, John Fitzgerald. It was through John’s exceptional talents, his quiet unconditional generosity and leadership that the many Cuan Mhuire centres were built across the country.
In 1977, Sr. Consilio developed a second Cuan Mhuire centre – this time in Bruree, Co. Limerick. In 1984, Cuan Mhuire established a centre in Newry in a then strife – torn Northern Ireland. From its earliest beginnings Sr. Consilio had treasured the support of people of all faiths and political traditions from Northern Ireland. In 1994, the fourth Cuan Mhuire treatment centre was established, this time in Coolarne, Co. Galway. Here detoxification and treatment is provided for those suffering from alcohol addiction and gambling.
In August 2006 the first Cork based Cuan Mhuire treatment Centre was set up. It caters for detoxification and treatment. It is a female only facility and has accommodation for 40 ladies. It offers a twelve week programme for alcohol and a twenty week programme for substance misuse. This centre came into being because Sr.Consilio, was aware the unique difficulties that some women experience in recovering from addiction, and she saw the need for a specialised service.
In 2014 President Michael D. Higgins opened the Cuan Mhuire Lumen Initiative and the newly refurbished Teach Mhuire, located in Dublin’s Gardiner Street, which provides short-term accommodation for 55 homeless men who have completed a drug, alcohol, or gambling programme and who are in early recovery.
The Lumen Initiative offers residents of Teach Mhuire treatments such as group therapy, one-to-one counselling, assessment and referral, family support and relapse prevention groups.
In 2021, a dedicated women's addiction treatment centre was opened in Athy, in response to the growing demand for support services. Its goal was to provide a safe, supportive environment where women could address the underlying causes of addiction and embark on a journey of healing and empowerment. The Sr. Consilio Centre stands as a place of hope and transformation, helping women rebuild their lives and rediscover their strength.
Cuan Mhuire Newry celebrated their 40th year in Northern Ireland in June 2024.
This momentous occasion included the official opening of 12 two bedroomed Apartments which will provide urgently needed support for those that are homeless or for those who need more time as part of their continuum of support that sustains recovery.