ABOUT US
Ability West provides a wide range of disability support services to people with complex intellectual, physical and multiple disabilities. The organisation is committed to working in partnership with the Health Service Executive in providing supports and services, and empowering the lives of the people we support to ensure that they live their best lives.
Ability West was founded 63 years ago, by families who wanted better support for their children with intellectual disabilities and comorbidities. Over 600 children and adults’ avail of our services and the organisation operates more than 60 centres located across Galway City and County.
Ability West is also proud to be patron of four special schools St. Joseph’s Special School, Galway City, Tigh Nan Dooley, Carraroe, St. Oliver’s Special School, Tuam, and St. Teresa’s Special School, Ballinasloe.
Today, Ability West employs more than 630 people across Galway City & County.
Ability West is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital and is also a registered charity.
Weekly Drumming Session
Beechwood Day Service
Need to contact us?
We’ve got a new contact form so that you can easily make contact with us! Click here to access it.
Family FOrum Sessions - autumn 2026
We would like to invite you to attend one of our upcoming Family Forums. Following feedback from families, we are committed to enhancing communication and creating more opportunities for family engagement. These forums will provide an opportunity to receive updates on the organisation, ask questions, share your views, and provide feedback directly to us.
To register, please click on the blue button below and you can access the registration form and select the session you wish to attend.
Below is the schedule:
Shannon Respite, Portumna (H53 HY22)
(For Portumna & Ballinasloe Services)
Wednesday, 16 September | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ard Ri House Hotel, Tuam (H54 V267)
(For Mountbellew, Glenamaddy, Brooklodge, Headford & Tuam Services)
Thursday, 17 September | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Board Room, Blackrock House, Salthill (H91 R254)
(For all Galway Services)
Thursday, 8 October | 10.30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Críost Linn, Clifden (H71 X894)
(For both Clifden Services)
Thursday, 15 October | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Online Teams Session 1
Tuesday, 20 October | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Online Teams Session 2
Tuesday, 20 October | 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
TEAMS MEETING LINKS
Please see the Teams links for the two meetings online meetings below.
Ability West Recent News
2025 Annual Report
2025-2030 Strategic Plan
2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Our Annual Report 2025 is now available here. Thanks to the people we support and staff in our services who were involved in photography for this annual report.
Click below to view the 2025 Annual Report PDF
2025 - 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN
We launched our new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan at our AGM in May.
Thanks to the people we support and staff in our services who were involved in photography for this Strategic Plan
Thanks also to Andrew Downes | Xposure.ie for his expert photography.