Local Faces: Frances Gallagher

Ballyfermot has had some difficult times. In the past people may have looked at the whole Dublin 10 area with a certain amount of snobbish disdain, reports Ken Doyle.

Those dark days have largely disappeared now, and it’s through the tireless work of people like Frances Gallagher that Ballyer has resurrected its image.

Frances is the administrator and driving force behind one of the great success stories in the area, the Ballyfermot Resource Centre.

Ballyfermot Resource Centre, located on Lynch’s Lane, was established in 1987 as a direct response to the needs of this extremely deprived area.

Its primary focus was then and is still (from their mission statement): “to promote and enhance the personal, social, educational and economic development of the individuals and families who participate in the activities and programmes of the Centre.”

Its main objectives are to develop the individual child, young person, adult, parent and family through the provision of a wide range of integrated services and activities.

And under Frances’ watch, the number and scope of services offered by the centre goes way beyond anything people might have thought possible in 1987.

Frances Gallagher, Lisa Lawless, Roslyn Richardson, Blaithnaid Dunne, Audrey Coyne and Janice Evans, all Ballyfermot natives

A local woman herself, the third eldest of nine children, Frances was raised in Lower Ballyfermot and was only too familiar with the issues the area had, and naturally had an insight into what was needed and what could be improved.

I asked Frances how she became involved with the centre.

“Well for a good percentage of my working life, I worked in the printing industry,” she tells me. “Then suddenly the firm I was working for switched to a three day working week.

“This gave me two working days to fill, which I did by getting a part-time job with the Inchicore Community Drug Programme.”

It was through this that Frances developed a taste for community work, a passion that has stayed with her ever since.

“I’ve been involved in community work with the Assumption church and various other things since I was fourteen,” she tells me. “And when an admin position in Ballyfermot Resource Centre came up in 2007, I applied for it and was lucky enough to get the job. That was the start of what has been a wonderful journey ever since.”

The Resource Centre in 2007 was a far cry from what it is today. Frances is very keen to give fulsome credit to Sister Kathleen of the Dominican’s who set up the first basic groups in the centre, including a very popular art class.

The Centre has grown to accommodate innumerable vital local groups, including counsellors, women’s groups, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and even, a  group to help people stop smoking.

Frances Gallagher

It doesn’t end there, the building plays host to Kylemore Community Training Centre, which offers classes, help and support to local people who feel like they missed their chance at education first time round.

The local St John of God’s do a lot of work there and there are also rooms available to be booked for anyone who would like to start something up themselves.

Frances is keen to ensure that all of the people who have played a huge part in the success of the centre are recognised for their work too, and she is effusive in her praise for Audrey Coyne, manager of the centre, Roslyn Richardson the crèche manager, Blathnaid Dunne the CE Supervisor, Catering Supervisor Janice Ellis and Deputy manager of the crèche Lisa Lawless.

“All from Ballyfermot, and all women, you will note,” says Frances with a laugh.

“We did let a couple of men on the board, and all these people are either from Ballyfermot, or deeply embedded in the area. Our Chairman is Joe Fitzgerald and he’s ably assisted by Marian Shelley, Mary Farrell, Jim O’Connell, Richard Monaghan, Maureen Casey and Frank Murphy.”

Like many concerns, the Centre is not immune to the difficult economic times we’ve found ourselves in. A lot of the funds required to keep the doors open are provided by the phenomenally successful, Cup and Spoon Café, located in the building and open to all.

Frances Gallagher may be leaving next year but you can be sure her legacy in Ballyfermot will live on for generations

The café, by itself provides another vital local resource, Meals on Wheels to the elderly and housebound in the area.

As for Frances, all good things must come to an end, and she will be retiring towards the end of 2024.

She hopes to spend more time with the apple of her eye, her son Robert who, in keeping with his mother’s altruistic career choice, works for the Department of Children.

When I ask Frances what she will take away from her experience running the Centre, she doesn’t hesitate.

“I’ll greatly miss the people involved and their passion for the community. It’s always been a humbling place to work and I’m very proud of the enormous efforts made by people from all backgrounds in Ballyfermot who have worked so hard to provide the area with such a valuable resource.”

Frances may be leaving next year but you can be sure her legacy in Ballyfermot will live on for generations.

Ballyfermot Resource Centre is open from 8am to 9.30pm weekdays and can be contacted on 01 6264147 or via email at info@ballyfermotfre.com