Rathkeale Sheltered Housing Association
Rathkeale Sheltered Housing Association (RSHA) was formed in 1993. As a branch of Rathkeale Community Council the primary aim of the association was to seek funding, to build and to manage independent living accommodation for elderly people living in the countryside who might be lonely or have reduced mobility and who might wish to move into the town for better access to shops, services and social activities.
Court Villas was the first project. Designed by Peter O’Farrelly, built by Michael Dillon and Sons and officially opened by the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, on the 25th of June, a wet and windy day in 1996. Chestnut Grove followed. This was built on the site of the old creamery in Rathkeale. It was officially opened by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, on the 28th of February 2005.
Rathkeale Sheltered Housing Association currently manages a total of 22 housing units in Rathkeale, thirteen of which are at Court Villas, Boherbuí, six at Chestnut Grove, Enniscouche, two at Abbeylands and one on Thomas Street. Tenants pay the association a modest rent and this money goes towards the upkeep of the houses. The Community Employment Scheme, under the management of Mike Hunt, carries out much of the maintenance work that regularly needs to be done.
RSHA also manage the day centre at Enniscouche where social activities are organised and from where two other voluntary organisations, Meals-on-Wheels and the Wednesday Club carry out their work.
The management committee of RSHA consists of members of the Rathkeale community and they work on a voluntary basis for the association. The committee makes decisions on new tenant applications and on how the association’s funds are to be appropriately spent to ensure that the houses are comfortable for the residents. The 2019 committee members are: Alan Johnson (chairperson), Breid Guinane (secretary), Angela Moran (vice-chairperson), Mary Sheahan (treasurer), Joe Dunleavy, Peter Donovan and Liam Enright.
If you wish to apply for one of our houses or you know somebody who might wish to apply, you are invited to download an RSHA Tenant Application Form. Please print, fully complete and sign the form before submitting it by post to the secretary. All applications will be considered when a vacancy arises. However, it should be noted that the majority of successful applicants are already on Limerick County Council’s housing list.
Rathkeale Sheltered Housing Association is a registered charity and is a member of the Irish Council for Social Housing.
If you have any queries about the association please send an email to rathkealesha@gmail.com or contact any of the committee members. .
© June 2019 by the Rathkeale Community Council. Page content provided by Alan Johnson, Chairperson of the Rathkeale Sheltered Housing Association.