Page 22 - Iveagh Trust

20 Annual Report 2023
JOHN MAHONY
23 years with the Trust
JOHN MAHONY, FORMER DIRECTOR
OF HOUSING
I have been invited by the Trust to say a few
words about my time at the Iveagh Trust
following my retirement in March 2023, after 23
years with the Trust.
I joined in November 2000, and at that time there
were three main estates: Bull Alley/Moyne House,
Kevin Street Estate, and the Mount Anthony Estate.
There were only five staff members working in the
Head Office. When I started, the first phase of the
6th floor roof extension at the Kevin Street Estate
had begun, providing 36 one-bedroom flats which
were greatly needed for single people and couples.
The Mount Anthony Estate was previously
comprised of bedsit flats, but a major
refurbishment programme was undertaken to
convert three bedsit flats into two one-bedroom
flats, as people desired separate bedrooms.
The Bull Alley Estate also underwent a major
refurbishment programme to replace its roofs,
and upgrade flats, hallways, and communal
areas. As the Bull Alley Estate and Blocks A-N are
protected structures, the Trust was obliged to
carry out some works in a very specific way with
little scope for change.
During my time, I met all the Resident Committees
regularly and would like to express my thanks to
all the tenants who serve on these committees,
giving their time on a voluntary basis. While there
was sometimes disagreement between myself and
different committee members, I always felt that
people had a desire to improve life for everyone on
the estates where they lived. I would like to thank
all those tenants, who are too many to name, for
their efforts. Sadly, some of these tenants are no
longer with us.
When I joined the Trust, I had heard a lot about
the community spirit within the estates. This
became evident with the onset of COVID-19. There
was no policy or procedure on how to deal with
a global pandemic. However, numerous tenants
came forward, volunteering to look out for their
neighbours, especially the elderly who were most
vulnerable to the disease. I saw firsthand how
people cared for their neighbours. I would also like
to thank the unsung heroes at that time, the Estate
Managers and Estate Staff, who continued to work
on the estates despite the potential risks.
The need for social housing has never been
greater, and I am aware that the Trust continues
to add more properties to its stock to assist
people who are not in a position to buy their own
property with ever-increasing house prices. The
addition of the Hallwell Estate, Applewood Estate,
Clongriffin Estate, Clay Farm Estate, and Miller’s
Glen Estate all occurred during my time there.
I would like to thank all the staff I worked with
for their help, assistance, and patience, and
the three Chief Executives I worked with: Fred
Stephens, Gene Clayton, and Aidan Culhane.
I wish the Trust, its staff, and its tenants
continued growth, success, and good fortune
in the years ahead.