Cosy Café in Kilbeggan drawing large numbers
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Stepping it out at a Cosy Café gathering in Kilbeggan.Image 2 of 4
PJ Egan and Mary Connolly at a Kilbeggan Cosy Café monthly gathering.Image 3 of 4
Enjoying the fun at the Cosy Café in Kilbeggan, from left, Joan and Christy McDonnell, Patricia Colton and Mary Sexton.Image 4 of 4
Fr Brendan Corrigan, Johnny Quirke, Noel Dunne and PJ Egan at the Cosy Café in Kilbeggan.The Cosy Café in Kilbeggan, set up a year ago to alleviate isolation and loneliness among those with dementia and those caring for them, is attracting large numbers. Very Rev Brendan Corrigan, PP, Kilbeggan, who set up the café, is overwhelmed by the response.
“We meet on the second Tuesday of every month, between 11am and 1pm in Kilbeggan Parish Centre and we have between 30 and 40 there each time,” he told the Westmeath Examiner.
They have music, usually a guest speaker who has relevant information for those with dementia or their helpers and families, meaningful activities, and tea and cakes, Fr Corrigan said.
And you do not have to be from Kilbeggan to join in – everyone from everywhere is welcome.
Fr Corrigan found, from going around on his Communion calls, that there was little available for those affected by dementia and their families.
“We want to make the parish dementia friendly and to help those with dementia and their carers and families because a lot feel isolated,” he said.
The committee members behind the venture are: Noreen Keane, Noelle Dunne, Patricia Coffey, Mary Connolly, Pauline Lee from the HSE, Joanne and Patricia Fox, Elza Puliyalil, Angela Rock and Fr Corrigan.