Delia Phelan (Kieran's Mum) and Mary Phelan (Kieran's wife) with family Aishling, Brenda, Sean Sharkey with baby Jack; Martina and Fiona with Noah at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.
For this week’s Moment in Time, we look back on May 2011 when the family and friends of the late Senator Kieran Phelan paid tribute to him on the first anniversary of his death.
A seat and garden was dedicated to Senator Phelan’s memory at the Mooreville Day Care Centre in Rathdowney.
Kieran’s wife Mary, his mother Delia, his brothers, sisters and friends were in attendance. Some of Senator Phelan’s colleagues from the political world attended, including councillors, John Moloney, Deputy Sean Fleming and Pat Moylan, the former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
John Moloney and Peader Cleary from the HSE both made speeches in which they highlighted Kieran’s steadfast commitment to Erkina house, and to the development of mental health services in Rathdowney.
Senator Phelan was commended for his role in setting up the Mooreville Centre, first as an outpatients clinic and then a day service.
The centre now provides social activation programmes for people who use the facility and includes services such as personal development, social interaction, group therapy, one to one supportive therapy, occupational therapy, on going education on mental health issues and medication, and a self esteem group.
Cllr Brendan Phelan, representing the Phelan famliy stated that Kieran’s dedication to Erkina House was more than normal politics.
“He never sent Christmas cards but instead always made a donation to Erkina House. He was always doing something for it, in his own way.”
The Mooreville centre was officially opened in August 2011 by the Minister of State at the time, John Moloney.
Below are the pictures taken by Alf Harvey on the day.
Delia Phelan (Kieran’s Mum) and Mary Phelan (Kieran’s wife) with family Aishling, Brenda, Sean Sharkey with baby Jack; Martina and Fiona with Noah at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kieran’s mum Delia and brothers and sisters at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kieran’s mum Delia with granddaughters Carol Phelan, Maria Barbour and Grainne Phelan at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Moloney with Delia Phelan at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Friends with Delia, Mary and Cllr Brendan Phelan at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kathleen Kenny, Quigley Park with Elma Duggan (staff nurse) at the dedication of a seat to Senator Kieran Phelan at Moorville House Day Centre Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Taking time out today in Rathdowney to remember a friend to everyone, the late Senator Kieran Phelan who had a seat dedicated to him at Moorville Day Care Centre today, 12 months on from his sudden untimely passing. With me are a lovely lady Kathleen Kenny who attends the facilities and Cllr. Brendan Phelan brother of Kieran. RIP Kieran, we had some laughs over the years.
