New Equine Therapy Centre Plans Revealed

St. Joseph’s Foundation are delighted to announce a new ambitious plan for a Regional Residential, Respite and Equine Therapy Centre in Kanturk, Co. Cork.

Following the success of St. Joseph’s Foundation’s Liskennett Farm, which opened in Granagh, County Limerick in 2015, St. Joseph’s Foundation identified the need for a similar centre of excellence in the North West area of Co. Cork to support children and their families from across the region. Suitable land at Meelaherragh, Kanturk was donated by Ms. Kate Jarvey, philanthropist and founder of the Crann Centre in Ballincollig to St. Joseph’s Foundation.

Michael Hegarty, Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph’s Foundation States “It is absolutely mind blowing to meet someone who gives so generously without fanfare, coupled with their genuine excitement to support people with disabilities live their best life. Kate’s enthusiasm for this project is as overwhelming as it is encouraging.”

Finding the suitable site was just one hurdle in seeing this plan gain momentum, St. Joseph’s Foundation required capital funding to further advance the hope to develop a world class service in Kanturk. St. Joseph’s Foundation costed the development at €2.7 million and needed to secure a funding stream to advance the development.

St. Joseph’s Foundation approached the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, Mr. Michael Moynihan TD, who has indepth knowledge of the sector. With Deputy Moynihan’s support a series of meetings were convened. The initial meeting was organised with Minister Anne Rabbitte, Minister for Disability’s, in June and preliminary support for the vision for the Kanturk development was given.

Michael Hegarty also says “As the development includes an Equine Centre, which provides alternative therapy for children, using what is internationally known as “horse boy method”, a therapy which is both educational and sport related, Deputy Moynihan also convened meetings with Jack Chambers, TD, Minister for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs, Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education and Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform”

St. Joseph’s Foundation’s Kanturk Development Agreement Meeting at Cork International Airport Hotel; Michael Hegarty, CEO, St. Joseph’s Foundation, Anne Rabbitte TD, Minister for Disabilities, Michael Moynihan TD, Chairperson Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, David Doyle, Development Manager, St. Joseph’s Foundation and Majella Daly, Head of Disability Services, HSE (via Zoom)

In September, a further meeting was held with Minister Rabbitte, Deputy Moynihan, David Doyle, Development Manager, SJF (who first introduced Horse Boy Therapy to Ireland in 2015), Michael Hegarty, CEO, SJF and Majella Daly, Head of Disability Services, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and overwhelming support from all divisions was given.

St. Joseph’s Foundation was delighted to receive confirmation that €2 million was secured for the development out of 2022 Capital Funding and a further €700,000 will be allocated from Government 2023 Capital Funding Programme.

It is envisaged that planning for the project will be submitted to Cork County Council in the coming weeks and with council approval and the support of the local community in Kanturk, it is hoped to start works on the project in early spring 2023.

“This project could not have advanced to this exciting stage without the support of the Minister Rabbitte, Minister McGrath, the Government of Ireland, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Kate Jarvey, David Doyle and the whole team in St. Joseph’s Foundation”.

The Drafted Plans for the Centre