History
In 1969, Brother Jerome Kelly returned home from missionary work and was made principal of Presentation Brothers College. He organised a series of workshops, in which the students of Presentation College were encouraged to think globally and act locally. The senior students were sent out to walk the lanes and side streets of Cork City and identify the major problems themselves. While the city centre's main thoroughfares were bustling with "elegant buildings and fashionable shop windows", there existed a different reality in the dreary alleys and decaying tenements. The students were "unanimous in their belief that the greatest single need was the plight of the elderly citizens… apparently forgotten by their own people".
In 1970, SHARE was founded when a group of 12 students erected a makeshift crib on St. Patrick's Street and fasted for thirty hours to attract attention to the plight of the elderly. At first they aimed to help the elderly by renovating the "depressing attic rooms and tiny basement flats," until the uncaring landlords increased the rent. The students obtained the support of the civic leaders at the time for their project, getting "free land in key areas of the city," and were then "faced with challenge of fundraising and ensuring homes for the elderly were built." Through their work, they had sufficient funds by 1975 to begin building the first SHARE Complex.
In 1976, twelve houses were built and furnished at Clochan Barra on Sheare's Street and accommodation for thirteen people was provided at Grenville Place. Over the following two years, eleven homes were provided at Sheare's Street, seven houses at Sunday's Well, and 13 houses at Fair Street. The nineteen houses at Shandon were formally opened by the Taoiseach Jack Lynch.
Following the securing of these new homes for the residents, the practice of regular visits was begun to deal with the problem of loneliness. The enthusiastic support of the people of Cork ensured the organisation’s rapid development throughout the city, and the support of the students’ parents led to the establishment of "SHARE Mothers." SHARE celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1980, with the fifteen-house complex at Abbey Street opened by President of Ireland Patrick Hillery. Complexes were also opened at Dyke Parade and Ardfert, Great William O’ Brien Street. In 1988, President Hillery also opened a 32 house complex at Grattan Street.
"S.H.A.R.E.'s efforts to provide a greater feeling of security and a more tangible sense of community led to the organisation adopting the "Sheltered Housing" concept with the opening of Dún Rís in 1988 and Mt. St. Joseph (a gift from the Presentation Brothers) in 1993. The opening of the Day Care Centre in 2001 carries this concept a step further."Read more about this topic: Students Harness Aid For The Relief Of The Elderly
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