Helen Walshe, Administration Coordinator, shares a brief look at the history of the North Tipperary Hospice Movement, recent developments and plans for the future:

Established in 1990, North Tipperary Hospice Movement began by focusing on home-based supports for terminally ill patients — providing specialist beds, related equipment, and dedicated nursing care so that patients could spend their last weeks or days at home, close to family and loved ones. Running these services costs approximately €400,000 a year, which was funded entirely through fundraising and voluntary donations.

Over a decade ago, the organisation expanded its reach by opening Support Centres in Nenagh (Suaimhneas) and Thurles (Suir Haven), allowing it to engage with cancer patients earlier in their journey. These centres offer counselling, therapies, and other forms of support, both individually and in groups, to patients and their families. For many years, Roscrea was also home to a much-valued Outreach Centre to extend this support further.

Sadly, this closed in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions and, despite our best efforts, was unable to reopen. Its closure left a gap that was keenly felt — and made clear just how badly Roscrea needed a dedicated cancer support centre of its own.

We’re delighted to share that real progress is finally being made to fill that gap. In 2024, North Tipperary Hospice Movement purchased a premises in Roscrea, and following successful planning permission and the completion of all necessary paperwork, building works are now under way. We are hopeful that this newest addition to the North Tipperary Hospice family will open its doors in early 2027. This has been a long road, and it wouldn’t be possible without the continued generosity of our supporters. Every fundraising event and every voluntary contribution brings us closer to giving the people of Roscrea and its surrounding areas the local support they deserve.

From the outset, every service the Hospice Movement provides has been offered free of charge and in complete confidence to patients and families. We remain enormously grateful to the thousands of supporters whose generosity over the past three decades has made it possible to continue delivering these essential services across North Tipperary.

Thank you for your wonderful support

We are delighted to share that our recent Coffee Morning in aid of North Tipperary Hospice Support Services raised an incredible €6,550. A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us across our Centenary Agri and Centenary Home & Garden branches, enjoyed a coffee, bought raffle tickets and supported this very worthy cause.

We would also like to thank our staff, the Centenary Thurles Co-op Social Club Committee and Centenary Thurles Co-operative for their generosity and support. Your kindness and community spirit made a wonderful difference. Thank you for helping us support the vital work of North Tipperary Hospice Support Services.