‘People believe they can turn €500 into €5,000'

Back in the old days, the quaint house set among the rolling hills of Co Tipperary was home to the local land agent. The peasantry would approach the house with their meagre offerings for the absentee landlord.

With such a history of pain and pestilence, it may be fitting that the house is now the base for one of the many treatment centres dealing with a rise in gambling addiction.

Aiséirí was set up in the house outside Cahir by Sr Eileen Fahey in 1983. It has gained a reputation for providing an in-house treatment programme and an extensive aftercare facility with centres throughout the country.