Closure of Rathcabbin nursing home

There was widespread disbelief in the parish of Lorrha and surrounding areas last week when news spread of the impending closure of St Kieran’s Care Home, The Pike, Rathcabbin, with the loss of many full and part time staff involved.

The home, which has served the people of the parish and well beyond for over 30 years, has been experiencing difficulties for the last year with filling bed space and that coupled with the rising costs of fuel and electricity, has only served to add to the problems.

First opened by local family the Gormallys, the premises was sold just over five years ago to Limerick businessman William O’Sullivan, who with high hopes for the future of St Kieran’s, invested a lot financially through refurbishment and transformation, with plans submitted for a major extension in recent months.

However, like many other small businesses around the country that are struggling to keep the doors open, St Kieran’s is yet another sign of the times we live in.

The closure of this nursing home will be without doubt be a huge loss to the local economy. Relatives of patients were recently notified of the situation and presently, management at St Kieran’s are in the process of trying to find accommodation that is suitable for both the patients and their relatives.