Kilkenny's St Vincent de Paul shop celebrates reopening

At the heart of the city, in the Butts, the new premises has been widely praised for its clever melding of the old, protected structures, and the brand new shop premises. Click NEXT to see lots more photographs by Harry Reid and scroll down to read about the opening.

But the building is much more than just a shop and meeting place, as speakers at the reopening told their own stories about the importance of the St Vincent de Paul Society in our community.

From those who needed the helping hand of the Society at a challenging time for their young family, to those who are glad to purchase and wear the second hand clothing in the Vincent’s shop at the highest levels of government, those gathered for the reopening heard how the Society is a quiet, but vital presence for many.

Everyone involved in the St Vincent de Paul Society is a volunteer, and the recognition of their commitment and hard work was to the fore with all speakers.

The local branch of the ‘SVP’ has made its home in the building for more than 70 years. Kevin Donohoe, SVP Shop President, told how over the years it has served many different purposes - from the storage and bagging of turf for collection to local homes, the venue for home management courses, bread distribution. The building was even the first office for Kilkenny Credit Union, in 1964.
20 years ago the first SVP shop was opened in Kilkenny by Liam Heffernan. On that occasion the special guest was the oldest local resident, who was 103!

Cutting the ribbon on this new development was National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Rose McGowan.

She said the project could not have come to fruition without all the people that helped, with a special mention for Kilkenny man Geoff Meagher, a former SVP National President, who kept it on the agenda.

Describing the building as more than just a shop, Ms McGowan said having meeting space will make a huge difference to the local Society.

Ms McGowan recalled how volunteers used to bring bags of clothes to people, hoping they would fit. The national president at the time wanted to give people choice and dignity, and the shops began.
“What’s vital for us, as a Society, is that we are providing a vital service in the community for people who can’t afford main street or online shopping,” Ms McGowan said.

The Society is grateful to churches for allowing regular collections, however the shops also provide vital income.
It’s not just about buying, she pointed out, some people call in for a bit of heat or a chat if they’re lonely.

Ms McGowan said she was delighted to see Transition Year students from local schools at the reopening. “You are amazing and the future of the organisation,” she told them.

While collection contributions have remained steady, the demand for help has doubled and the income from the shop is vital for the operation of the Society.

Geoff Meagher was the project manager for the building. He said the site was complex, encompassing the original building and De Loughry House, both listed buildings, and in the conservation area of St Canice’s Cathedral, but they came up with a plan that worked for everybody.

The project was funded from the sale of a premises on Lord Edward Street as well as government and local authority grants and proceeds from the shop. None of the money raised to help in the community went towards the project, he explained.  Click NEXT to see lots more photographs.