On Monday morning, 9 February, more than 300 members of Limerick’s business community gathered at the Castletroy Park Hotel for the second NOVAS Business Breakfast. The sell-out event showed strong support for NOVAS services across the region.
Key Ingredients kindly sponsored the event. Throughout the morning, speakers highlighted the ongoing challenges of homelessness and addiction. They also outlined the vital work NOVAS carries out both locally and nationally.
Inspiring Guest Speaker Rachael Blackmore
Champion jockey Rachael Blackmore joined MC Gillian Barry for an engaging fireside chat. Their conversation entertained the audience and brought energy to the early start. Guests responded warmly to the honest and inspiring discussion.
Strong Community and Political Support
Several elected representatives attended the event. Among them were Deputy Conor Sheehan, Minister Kieran O’Donnell, TD Maurice Quinlivan and Cllr Peter Doyle.
Leah McMahon, Limerick Rose and NOVAS volunteer, also attended. She was joined by hurling legend Declan Hannon and many other supporters from the local community.
Supporting More Than 6,000 People Each Year
NOVAS, headquartered in Limerick City, supports more than 6,000 people across Ireland each year. The organisation delivers services throughout Limerick, the wider Mid-West region and Dublin.
These services include:
Emergency homeless accommodation
Social housing
Family and child support services
Recovery services
Street outreach support
Appreciation from NOVAS CEO
NOVAS CEO Una Deasy thanked everyone who supported the breakfast. She expressed her appreciation for the “immense support and generosity” shown by attendees.
She paid special tribute to the organising committee volunteers who gave their time, expertise and energy to deliver the event. She also thanked MC Gillian Barry, Rachael Blackmore, Pat McDonagh and the staff at the Castletroy Park Hotel for their support.
Funding the Street Outreach Service
The event will fund the NOVAS Street Outreach Service. This volunteer-led team works in Limerick City every evening. Volunteers provide warm food, hot drinks, clothing and essential support to anyone in need.
NOVAS is currently seeking a new food partner to support this vital service. The organisation encourages local businesses to get in touch if they would like to get involved.
A Strong Show of Support
The Business Breakfast was a major success. It demonstrated the commitment of local businesses to tackling social issues and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Rachael Blackmore and Gillian Barry
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Nigel Dugdale, Pat Kearney, Rachel Blackmore, Kieran O’Donnell, TD, Cllr Brigid Teefy, Micheal Gleeson and Julie McKenna at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Julie McKenna, Maurice Quinlivan and Una Burns at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Una Deasy presenting Rachel Blackmore with her Portrait with Gillian Barry at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Declan Chambers, Artist with the portrait of Rachel Blackmore at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Liz Barry, Student Affairs Managaer, Alan barry IT Manager and Vincent Cunnane, President TUS attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Andrew O’Byrne, Donal Murray and Pat O’Sullivan attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Robert Bynres, Liz Wallace, Lynn Morrissey and Eimear Ryan attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Marcus Horan and Conor Harty attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS ,Gillian Barry and Cllr Peter Doyle with Declan Chambers presenting Rachel Blackmore with a Self Portrait at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Kieran O’Donnell TD, Julie McKenna and Tom Crosse attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Leah McMahon, Limerick Rose of Tralee and Conor Sheehan TD, attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Claire Organ, Niamh Mulqueen and Una Burns, attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Diarmuid O’Dwyer with Donal Duggan Jr and Sr attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Liam Brown TUS, Donal O’Carroll, Frances O’Connell with Anthony Calessthe attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Michael MacCurtin ,Una Deasy and Donnacha Treasaigh LCETB attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
David Culligan, Miriam Callaghan, Emer Brophy and Dave O’Malley attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Inspector Liz Kennedy, Inspector Marie Crowley and Inspector Benny Brick attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Declan Chambers presents Rachel Blackmore with a Self Portrait at the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Michael MacCurtin, Cllr Peter Doyle, Alec Morrissey and John Higgins, attending the NOVAS Breakfast Meeting at the Castletroy Park Hotel
Picture Brendan Gleeson
Our Impact has brought relief
to thousands of homeless
people across Ireland
Last year NOVAS worked with 6,396 people in Ireland
