L'Arche Ireland and Northern Ireland Information

The ethos of each L’Arche Community is of a principle that people with Intellectual disabilities have much to achieve, teach and contribute to the world. During the last fifty years internationally, we have learned that to enable one’ is to create a Community with a culture of shared lives between people with and without disabilities, from which we can work together to grow, share, and live a diverse, inclusive and supportive life. L’Arche Ireland Community life began with the opening of our first Community in Kilkenny in 1978. Since then, our Communities have grown from strength to strength across the island of Ireland. Cork opened its first Community in 1985, Dublin in 1993 and then our Belfast Community commenced in 2001. Each Community is vibrant, energetic and works together to deliver high quality services with each Core member. I n each Community we strive to provide each Core member with a quality of life that enables them to achieve their full potential. As advocates, we are committed to highlighting the role and value of people who have an intellectual disability. We work closely with the HSE, HIQA, Charity regulator authority (CRA), Approved housing body regulatory Authority (AHBRA), and others to provide high quality services. Faith is also an important part of community life in L’Arche. We welcome and respect each Core member’s and staff team members faith, tradition or if you choose none. We recognize the challenge of creating unity within our diversity. L’Arche provides both Residential supported living and Day project opportunities. The focus of building relationships and cultivating a sense of belonging is important to us and enhances all our lives. With so many different personalities coming together from such diverse backgrounds, this goal of working together cooperatively takes a collaborative effort!