The SVP holiday that sells out in two hours

THE bracing sea air that sweeps in from the Atlantic across the world-famous golf links in Ballybunion provides the first feeling that, yes, this is holiday land.

Located just across the road from the fifth green on the Old Course is a home from home for thousands of people who have been enjoying its warm, welcoming atmosphere for many years.

The Towers Friendship and Respite Centre is one of 10 St Vincent de Paul holiday homes around the country that provide a week’s break away from their own often isolated and disadvantaged surroundings for those in need.

The 14-bedroom Ballybunion home is the biggest of the 10 and also has the largest through-put of people — more than 800 per year. Every February, the voluntary committee that runs “The Towers” sits down to sort out its bookings for the year ahead.

“There’s always great demand and, within two hours, all the places are filled for the year,” said the centre’s president, Bridget O’Shea.

People are referred by the National Council for the Blind, others by psychiatric hospitals and many come via St Vincent de Paul conferences. Many others are carers, whose whole lives are dedicated to looking after a loved one at home.

Some would never have had a holiday before.

All meals are provided and there’s a daily bus service to morning Mass in the local church and the blue flag beach in the afternoon. At night, there are sing-songs and a party atmosphere prevails.

“The idea is to make people feel that this is their home for the week. Friendship is also very important and people mix very well. In some cases, people try to be here at the same time every year with friends they’ve made,” said Ms O’Shea.

The centre is operated by nine staff and as many St Vincent de Paul volunteers, with chef Deirdre Doyle playing a pivotal role in running a kitchen pervaded by the homely aroma of freshly baked brown bread. “Everything is done in-house. We use fresh local produce as much as possible,” Ms Doyle explained. The purpose-built centre was completed in 2001 at a cost of €1 million.

Most of the operating costs are met by the charity’s resources and an annual grant is provided by the Health Service Executive. Experienced volunteers such as Emmet Kennelly and Kevin Lynch are responsible for finance and bookings. Off-season, the social action group in Ballybunion brings in 30 people two days a week. Lunch and entertainment are provided, while a nurse and chiropodist are also available on those days.