Ability West History

The genesis of Ability West (formerly known as The Galway County Association for Mentally Handicapped Children) occurred in 1961, when a parent Sean Keane wrote two letters to the local Connacht Tribune looking for support from interested people to set up services in Galway for children with mental handicap. Although he received no replies or offers of support, unknown to him at the time people had begun to take an interest. Senator Sean Brosnahan, a founding member of the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (NAMHI) and General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), contacted the Galway INTO branch seeking their help. Mick Rafferty and Michéal McSweeney, then Chairman and Secretary of the Galway INTO branch, convened a meeting and a temporary committee was established, comprising teachers, clergy and doctors. In November 1962, a public meeting was held to form an Association, and in the following May a general meeting was held, their work was noted discussed and a new committee was elected (Kevin O’Rourke was elected Chairman and Marie O’Sullivan, Secretary). This committee started with funding of £20 and one of their first tasks was to find suitable accommodation for a school. They also carried out a community audit to identify the numbers and needs of children with mental handicap. In those early days they were very busy fundraising, and they secured grants from Galway County Council and the Department of Education. In January 1964 St. Joseph’s School opened in a temporary building in Galway City, with 12 children on the roll. At that time the government did not provide funding for transport and a rota of volunteer drivers transported children to and from school. During the late 1960s many voluntary associations were formed in parishes throughout County Galway. Read more

2022 will mark the 60th Anniversary of Ability West - more information to follow