About Us

DROGHEDA COMMUNITY SERVICES TRUST

Our History

Drogheda Community Services Trust founded in 1970,by a committee of seven and was headed by Fr. James Crowley, who became its first director. The first premises was over the Credit Union in Palace Street and the first big step was the purchase of the former St. Vincent’s
School , Fair Street in 1981. The Founder members were: Mary Kealy (Soroptimists); Sr. Anne Brady ( Daughters of Charity), Gerry Kiernan (Vincent De Paul), Gerry Clarke (Irish Red Cross) Dermot Kierans (Order of Malta), Seamus Yelland and Fr. Crowley headed the committee.
Fr. James Crowley was succeeded in 1975 by Fr. Arthur McInerney who in turn was succeeded by Mr. Dermot Kierans in 1985, the first lay director. He was assisted by Canon Jim Nelson, Church of Ireland. In 1985, due to expanding services, increased staff and the need for more meeting space the centre moved next door to Villa Maria. That year saw the appointment of the centre’s first manager, Marie Clarke and the launch of the Drogheda & District Charity Chest. Another significant event that year was the opening of the Daycare Centre for Older People. Once again the centre found it’s self under pressure to expand it’s services and finally in 2006 the centre moved to it’s current location, a purpose built centre in Scarlet Crescent.

Our Structure

Drogheda Community Services Trust is a registered charity. The Board of Directors oversees the operation of the centre and they in turn appoint a manager to administer the day to day activities of the centre.

Aims

Drogheda Community Services exists to help improve the quality of life in the town by providing:
• Social services which fulfil a need in the community.
• Facilities and back-up services for both voluntary and professional agencies providing social services.
• Co-ordination for voluntary agencies engaged in community work.
• Encouragement of the establishment of new organisations to fulfill needs not yet catered for.