22.04.2016
Don’t Forget Your Shovel – Sod Turned on New Nursing Home Development
Hard hats were donned in Dublin 4 yesterday (Thursday April 21) as the first sods were turned on an exciting new development at St John’s House. Archbishop Michael Jackson took shovel in hand, along with representatives of St John’s House, St Mary’s Home of Pembroke Park and the Molyneux Home (formerly on Leeson Park) to officially start work on the new state of the art 56 bed nursing home to be built on the site on Merrion Road.
The new development is being spearheaded by Protestant Aid and will comprise the complete upgrading of the front portion of the existing St John’s House building, and the construction of 54 new bedrooms at the rear, providing state of the art care for 56 residents. Each new room will have en–suite facilities and the new development will provide communal spaces including sitting rooms, dining rooms, quiet rooms, hairdressing salon and more. The Nursing Home will retain its existing chapel for the use of the residents.
The new facility is being undertaken by a partnership between St John’s House, St Mary’s Home and the Molyneux Home under the umbrella of Protestant Aid. Earlier this year, the trustees of St Mary’s Home announced their plans to combine with Protestant Aid and to relocate their residents to St John’s House when the project is completed. The Molyneux Home closed in 2012.
Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, Protestant Aid chairman Arthur Vincent, said it was a fantastic day for Protestant Aid and the three partner homes. He said that all the conditions now in place to ensure the best quality of care for residents, meant that they knew the homes would not be fit for purpose. “St John’s will be a new 56 bed nursing home that we can be proud of,” he stated.
Before turning the first sod, Archbishop Jackson praised all involved in Protestant Aid and in each of the three partner entities for the continuity of care provided and for the sense of adventure and aspirations for future care. He thanked everyone who provided their time, energy and professional expertise to develop the project. “To be able to offer something which gives dignity, security and happiness to people is tremendously exciting,” he said.
Dr Michael Webb turned a sod on behalf of St Mary’s Home. Cedric Christie turned the sod for the Molyneux Home and Ivor Moloney turned the sod for St John’s House.
The first stage of the development with 28 beds is expected to be open next spring with the project completed by the spring of the following year.
Photo caption: Arthur Vincent, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Dr Michael Webb, Cedric Christie and Ivor Moloney turning the first sods of the new nursing home at St John’s House.