Hard work dating back to 2000 finally came to fruition in Knocklong last Thursday evening when the Knocklong Glenbrohane Elton Voluntary Housing group’s three self contained units and Day Care Centre for the elderly in Cleeve House at the Cross, Knocklong, were officially opened by retired parish priest Fr. John Ryan.
The voluntary housing group was established in 1995 when the local curate at the time, Fr. Roy O’Donovan, approached people in the area to set up a committee to build some houses the elderly.
Finding a site was difficult at first but then Shannon Development agreed to sell a site on Old Road. Following a number of fundraising activities, Reale Brothers were the appointed contractors to construct four houses in 1998, each consisting of two bedrooms, kitchenette, living area and bathroom. A further four houses were subsequently erected on the same site and all fully occupied.
In 2000 Knocklong Glenbrohane Elton Voluntary Housing purchased a bungalow at the Cross, Knocklong, with a view to converting it into three self contained units and also build on a Day Care Centre for the elderly.
The day care centre targets people aged 50 plus. On Monday morning people gather for a chat, cup of tea and some sewing/knitting. Yoga is held on Wednesday evening, while the chiropodist attends once a month on a Friday. The local Active Retirement also meet there, and the Housing Group are anxious that more groups will consider using the facility.
After the opening a committee member expressed thanks on behalf of the group to Sean Gallagher, ex-Limerick County Council, and Mary Kiely and Limerick County Council for all their help and to Jimmy Reale and Reale Brothers for a job well done.