Stella Maris nursing home set to close

One of the region's most well-known and long-standing nursing homes has announced its intention to close.

The award-winning Stella Maris Nursing Home, Old Galway Road, Baylough, Athlone, confirmed its decision in a post on its Facebook page this evening.

It said it informed residents, their families and its staff today of its plans.

The McNally family, who ran the nursing home, said: "As a family, Stella Maris Nursing Home has been our lives for the past 35 years. We have treasured every moment with our residents and feel very privileged that we could provide care for so many within our community throughout our time here."

The statement said the nursing home did not want to close, and that it had done everything within its power to continue.

"We've heavily invested in our gorgeous, quirky building through all of our years to make it work for us. Unfortunately, with soaring costs combined with Fair Deal refusing to negotiate adequate fee increases, and HIQA's unrealistic expectations for an old building, we have no choice," the statement said.

"We couldn't have done any of this without the dedication of our loyal staff, both past and present. Words will never be enough to thank them for their love and kindness they have shown our residents but also us as a family. They consistently show up and brighten up the lives of those they care for.

"We expect the next few weeks will be utterly heartbreaking, how could it not be. We are committed to finding new homes for all our residents and helping them transition before we finish up," the statement read.

The statement, signed by Clare, Aine, Anne, Louis and all of the McNally family, concluded: "Each and every person who has passed through our doors over these years has left a special imprint on our hearts that we will never forget, and we thank them for these memories."