Dr Brendan O'Donnell, Marie Kelly and Andy Kelly, members of the organising committee of Naas Care of the Aged Centre.
12 January 2004: Around 130 of Naas’ senior citizens enjoyed their annual Christmas Party on Sunday afternoon last, organised by the Naas Care of the Aged committee and held in their own centre on the Newbridge Road.
This is a much looked forward to event, nicely timed for that dull period after Christmas and the New Year.
It’s all planned by the hard working committee stalwarts who never fail to provide a day to remember.
The committee is headed by chairman Andy Kelly, assisted by Mary Malone. Other officials include secretary Marie Kelly assisted by Mary Delmer, treasurers Dr Brendan O’Donnell and Betty Tierney, PRO Teresa O’Brien. Other members include, Monica Prendergast (Meals on Wheels service, assisted by Maureen Vallely and Mary Malone, Kathleen Noone, Bessie Dunne, Chris Allison, Anne Lally, Josie Doyle, Sean Noone, Kathleen Losty, Bridget Kelly, Nancy Cronin, Mary Kearney, Kathleen Sheridan, and Kitty Cahill.
Kay Losty, Mary Delmer, Monica Prendergast and Bessie Dunne.
Naas Care of the Aged committee first came about at a public meeting in the Town Hall in September 1966 to care for the senior citizens of the Naas area as well as Caragh. The first chairman was Dr Bernard Fitzsimons who was followed by Dr Brendan O’Donnell, the current treasurer.
Funds to build a centre were provided by a waste paper collection project set up in January ‘68 and organised under the supervision of the then secretary, Anne Farrington. Over £6,000 was raised which was a lot of money at the time.
In November ‘69 the committee decided, with funds on hand, to go ahead and build the centre. The site on the Newbridge Road was made available by Kildare County Council. Architect Niall Meagher offered to supervise the building work.
A tender of £13,000 was accepted and work commenced in October ‘72. The job was completed in January ‘74. The centre was furnished and equipped by the Naas Care of the Aged committee.
The building was later extended in the late 1970s to include a second large room. Since then it has continued to be a hub for the senior citizens of the town and of Caragh.
Fundraising is raised by Tuesday night bingo sessions in the centre, sales of work, whist drives, sponsored walks etc and the annual flag day and Christmas raffle.
The Health Board holds a Day Centre in the building five days a week from 9.0-4pm.
Sisters Chris Allisson and Anne Lally.
Other activities include the annual Christmas Dinner, summer outings, parties at regular intervals organised by the Care of the Aged themselves, the local Lions Club, Superquinn, the Order of Malta, and Naas No Name Club.
Locals Barney Kavanagh and Joe Stanley have provided music at parties down the years and when he lived in Rathcoole, singer Daniel O’Donnell entertained at a Christmas party.
Senior citizens are supplied with fuel, before and after Christmas, by Naas Care of the Aged committee. A Meals on Wheels service is also organised from the Centre, with local helpers and drivers providing 75-80 meals three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) with food supplied by Naas General Hospital.
Activities include an indoor bowling club and week long holidays to Killarney provided by Naas Lions Club. Twenty lucky people have holidayed in Killarney for the last three years. Mosney Holiday Camp was the venue for the 24 years prior to the switch to Killarney.
The committee are most grateful for the support of the people of Naas without which their service to the community could not be provided.
Kitty Cahill and Nancy Cronin.
Moira Coyle, Kitty Herbert and Mary O'Leary.
Sean Coyle, Jim O'Leary, Larry and Peg Murphy.
Mary Kearney, Biddy Kilduff, and May Baker.
Naas Order of Malta volunteer Joe O'Connor helping Charlie Kavanagh into the transport for the journey home.
(Back) Anne Kelly and Rebecca Kavanagh, and (front) Bridie O'Connor, Brigid Kelly and May Dunne, officer in charge, Naas Unit of the Order of Malta.
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Story and pics by
Trish Whelan
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