Bru Columbanus house - Stress relief for patients’ loved ones

The opening yesterday of the country’s first live-in facility for families of seriously-ill patients represents a remarkable achievement, spearheaded by the Knights of St Columbanus.

The €8 million home-from-home project in Wilton, Cork, provides state-of-the-art accommodation for 24 families experiencing the trauma of a seriously-ill loved one in long-stay hospitalisation.

The Knights of St Columbanus go quietly about their charitable work without fanfare, but in setting up this purpose-built accommodation, the organisation sold a property and donated €2m to the project.

This community-based venture was an admirable collaboration between two public bodies, Cork City Council and Cork University Hospital, both of which helped provide the site, and a charitable organisation.

It was fitting that Bru Columbanus was opened by Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, who in his previous portfolio allocated at least 1m to the scheme. It will look after families with relatives hospitalised in any Cork hospital free of charge and on a needs basis.

Bru Columbanus will be open to families regardless of economic, social, cultural or religious status.