St Michael’s House was delighted to welcome Minister Norma Foley TD to the official opening of Lakeside Day Service last Thursday.
Lakeside opened in August 2026, providing a new home for the former Northbrook Day Service, which closed on 31 July 2026 after 27 years of operation.
The development was the result of almost four years of planning and collaboration between St Michael’s House and the HSE, with funding provided through a combination of State funding and investment by St Michael’s House.
The new purpose-built facility provides a modern and accessible environment that better reflects contemporary approaches to day service provision. It supports dignity, independence, inclusion and wellbeing, while creating greater opportunities for community participation, lifelong learning, personal development and the development of independence and life skills.
A key part of the development was ensuring that the people attending the service had a voice in shaping their new environment. The name Lakeside Day Service was chosen by the individuals who attend the service, reflecting their involvement and choice from the outset.
Lakeside currently supports 34 people to pursue their goals, interests and aspirations, in line with the principles of New Directions. The new development has also created additional capacity, helping more people to access supports and opportunities that enable them to participate actively in their communities and achieve their personal outcomes.
The building also incorporates a number of environmentally conscious features, supporting a more sustainable approach to the development and helping to reduce its environmental footprint.
We were pleased to welcome Mellany McLoone and Jim Comiskey from the HSE, alongside Tara Molloy, CEO, and Ger Corr, Director of Adult Services, St Michael’s House, to mark this important milestone.
The opening marks an important new chapter for Lakeside and the people who attend the service, providing a modern environment designed around their needs, choices and aspirations.
Click here to view photos from the official Lakeside opening.