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ANN UZELL LIVED in her home in Ballyfermot for 40 years and raised six children there.
The Dublin woman – who will turn 70 next month – will later this week move into her new apartment in nearby Annamore Court in Chapelizod/Ballyfermot.
The 70-apartment complex was officially opened yesterday by new Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. It is operated by Dublin’s oldest social housing charity the Iveagh Trust.
The €10 million scheme was completed in 18 months from when construction began, at the cost of €144,000 per unit. It was formerly a derelict sheltered housing scheme which was renovated as a joint project between the Trust and Dublin City Council.
Ann received the keys to her apartment yesterday. She had decided two years ago to give up her four-bedroom council home of 40 years and allow it to be used for a new family.
“I’m on my own now so what’s the point of having a big huge house when you’re on your own,” Ann told reporters on her balcony yesterday.
So I decided to give it back two years ago, but I didn’t think I’d get one so quickly.
So what does Ann think of her new apartment?
It feels great; it feels fabulous. It’s airy and there’s some space so I’m absolutely mad about it.
The view from her third-floor balcony looks down onto Ballyfermot and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, where Ann made her Communion and was married.
It was important to her when she was giving up her home to get a new place near the local community.
Downsizing
Ireland is in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis unparalleled over the past number of decades. The Iveagh Trust said that by people like Ann downsizing and moving to their one-bedroom apartments, it frees up space for people in need.
The Trust said that 86 new beds should become available as a result of people moving to Annamore Court.
“I think it’s nice to be able to give a young family a start in life,” said Ann.
“I don’t think you should have a big house if you’re on your own. I kind of felt guilty living in a big house on my own.
There’s so many people out there looking for house so I just felt very guilty living on my own.
Ann said she will miss the home she had, but was ready to move on and make new memories in her apartment.
“There’s 40 years of memories up there in the house I was in. I had lovely memories now in the house that I was in so I think I’ll be very happy here,” she said.
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Wot, no social distancing or masks in Ballina. New virus hotspot on way!
@PF: have a glass of wine or something
@PF: ya spelt Ballina wrong mate
@Damo: baa, baaa, baaaah. Arf!
@Damo:
Trumpbabycages SS
Wannabes
Are not good at spelling..
@PF: There was. Photographers and camera personnel asked those getting photos taken to remove masks as they were taken.
Looks like there’s no worry about pandemic in Ballina, by that photo
@dstaffx: They are clearly drinking a vaccine
@dstaffx: guess where one of the nursing homes the HSE were called into to assist with an outbreak last week is located.
Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gilll sequel!
@muirhill121: oh thank god you said it, i am cringing!
@muirhill121: No shortage of pubs in Ballina
@Victoria: why ? Would you not be proud of it,?
@muirhill121: it’s cringeworthy…we should be beyond that at this stage .
Chaps a fossil
@Mike Litterus: I’d say you couldn’t find your own name without an instruction manual. Your probably more of a Mike Hunt anyway
@Mike Litterus:
A mentally stable fossil.
Welcome to Ireland Joe!!!
Spent a while looking at a blow-up of the photo from Ballina. Very sad. Kids standing watching a grown man swigging booze out if a bottle on the street. Like something out of the 1950s
@Virus-free Turkey: quiet evening?
Lots people think it’s good news, I understand
But just don’t forget one thing, still over two months away from the new president, in this period, that country has the strongest military, 10 aircraft fleets, near 400 military bases around the world, over 6k nukes and a unpredictable president
If there is a big war happening… or accident war happens … what will be?
Also Biden, tell your people stay away and keep social distance please, ive seen people packed together and celebrating your victory, ffs, the covid is not gone yet, you will need fix that problem and it’s the biggest challenge when you are in power
@There is no hope for humanity!: yup. Your name says it all. Are you ALWAYS this pessimistic?? You must be some craic at a party. You HONESTLY think that this’ll kick of ww3? Get a grip….and and stop watching YouTube.
@There is no hope for humanity!: Trump does’nt pull the strings, any so called war would have to go through congress, you’ll even see Republican senators, aides etc. Distancing themselves from Trump now.
@The Kev in Kevlar: all I meant is still two months away, anything could happens, hope the best, Prepare for the worst
The WW 3 might not, I don’t want to see they have civil war as well, that is worried me lots
Specially trump, he is way too unpredictable, god knows what’s going to happen
The Mayo Blewitts are well known. The Blewitt in 89, 96, 97, 04, 06, 12, 13, 16 and 17.
@John Dublin: *THEY
Joe Blewit be living off this for the rest of his days
@Darren Lambe: Heard he’s done plenty of leaky business for the Ukrainians.
Congrats to Joe, comiserations to Donald. Irrespective of your political views,left, right, mid WHATEVER…accept it…GGs to all and hopefully everyone will be okay, and move forward.
@The Kev in Kevlar: Tell that to Trump
Jumping on the bandwagon
I can see it now.. another cringey plaza only this time the Joe Biden Plaza.
Mayo for Uncle Sam
@Finnster: yep. As well as the other Sam next month.
@Alex Marquis: keep dreaming
They’re delighted they’re getting a motorway plaza
Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gill sequel!
@muirhill121: you call it cringe but the people living in those villages call it tourism, jobs and improved income.
@Darren Lambe: the new Moneygall
Oh begosh and begorragh tis a great day for the oirish, tis indeed …..tis to be sure.
Wonder where his great great great great great grandparents where from.
@Rory Mackle: England
@Rory Mackle:
Knockmore outside Ballina
@Declan Sweeney: Good man Declan. Great year for Knockmore pandemic aside.
Ballina Plaaaaza, sounds about right.
Bull..it of the highest order.
Ah come on everyone. There hasn’t been a lot to be happy about in Ballina in 2020 no more than any other town in Ireland and of course it’s pure shlock but what the hell. Biden was in Ballina/Knockmore in 2017 and really seemed to enjoy himself. Just pass over the story if it bothers you so much.
Wexford has made an industry from their connections with the President JF Kennedy. There is the 400 acre Kennedy Memorial Park, the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown ,, The Magnificent Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, the Statue of JFK on Quays in New Ross ,with the Emigrant flame and the Dunbrody Famine Ship nearby. It was JFK’s Great Great Great Grandfather Patrick Kennedy who emigrated to America in 1849, he married Bridget Murphy ,a local girl from the same area who followed him to Boston. They had 5 Children. After only 10 years Patrick Kennedy died at the age of 35 so it was his wife Bridget who was left to bring up the children , it was her hard work and effort that ensured the children prospered in life. The Bridge should have been named in her honour not Rose In my opinion.
@Aine O Connor: Joe Biden’s mother was a Finnegan, her grandfather was born in Lordship Co. Louth 1820, not GGG grandparents, grandfather, why should Ballina get all the publicity?
@Brendan O’Donoghue:
Exactly my point , even though Bridget Murphy was born only a few miles from Patrick’s Kennedy’s home she is hardly ever mentioned and without her there would be no Kennedy’s.
Same goes for the Finnegans.
New service station for Ballina so
CUE THE BALLINA PLAZA
Great to see Mayo finally win something
I’m an American who lives in Ireland going on 3 years. I raised 500 euro for cancer while here. I’ve already done more for Ireland than Joe Biden has done in 50 years in politics.
President Trump built a golf course in Ireland and provided jobs and tourist dollars. Can anyone in Ireland tell me what Joe Biden did for Mayo the past 50 years he’s been in office? Anyone?
Blewit you are a go use your influence for the good of the old sod
Go EE s
Not good.no distance
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