The Beginings
In the 1960’s. the local Legion of Mary branch visited the elderly in the parish on a weekly basis. Members like Miss Annie Boyle and sister Bridget, Mgt. McFadden, Peg McDonald and Mrs Ashforth were prominent among the members who participated in this work for many years.
From this group sprung The Annagry Geriatric Society led by Annie Boyle D Sc.I, Treasurer. Anthony O Donnell (Big Anthony)(Chairman) Mary Campbell, Glen Rd, Secretary. Seamus ‘Peter’ Boyle, Bunaman, Seamus Rodgers Co Councilor, Nurse Valerie Mc Ginley and Nurse Gallagher. Their aim was to have a committee in the parish to take care of the needs of the elderly and avail on their behalf of all the latest services being set up by Government in the late 70’s for the benefit of Senior Citizens. Day Centres were unheard of in the rural community, this service was confined to local area hospitals in the main. The Annagry Committee began canvassing political assistance for their idea of building a Day Services Centre. They envisaged a Centre where the elderly could meet socially on a regular basis. Where services such as chiropody, dental and optical needs could be monitored and meals served each day. A chiropodist attended fortnightly. Later a full laundry service was added.
At a committee meeting Anthony O Donnell proposed the construction of a Day Centre in Annagry and it was unanimously agreed that plans be drawn up and submitted to the North Western Health Board for approval and funding. A site was identified and purchased and Mr. Paddy Carr, Architect and a native of Bunbeg, was tasked with the preparatory works. After a long battle with the NWHB who resisted all attempts to bring about the change which would lead to the elderly being catered for in their own locality rather than having to travel distances to avail of a service. After much cajoling and unrelenting pressure at the highest level, the Committee won the day and the Annagry Day Centre became a reality and the first Day Centre in Donegal in a rural area. It was officially opened in 1988.
The first Supervisor was the late Margaret Gildea who was tasked with looking after 25 to 30 patrons assisted by volunteer workers which was difficult not knowing if there would be one or a dozen workers when the Centre opened for business three days per week. If there were no volunteer workers then Margaret had the task of catering for the patrons without help which she did on occasions but always with a smile. For Margaret it was a vocation which she carried out with great kindness to her patrons. May she Rest in Peace. The NWHB only provided for one person as a supervisor which is the situation to this day but FAS was introduced and workers became available to local committees to work on various schemes and the committee availed of the scheme and life is now a lot easier than it was in the early days.