Our Story

Solas first opened its doors to the public in September 2005. We aim to respond quickly and efficiently to whatever needs arise in our community. Our daily activities are many and varied. We help and support people in our area with services such as:

• Counselling
• Men’s Shed
• Computer Classes
• Meals on Wheels
• Men’s NCT Health Day
• Rainbows Programme
• Women’s Health Day 2026
• Citizen’s Information
• Sean Chairde Older People’s Group
• Suicide Prevention Programme
• CV & Interview Skills Support

The Solas Board of Management

The Solas Family Resource Centre Headford is run by a seven person Board of Management who meet monthly to oversee the work of the centre.

The current board consists of:

• Fr James O’Grady (Chairperson)
• Gary Brookfield
• Brendan Kyne
• Mary McHugh
• Kevin McNicholas
• Carmel O’Malley
• Martina Rea

The Story of SOLAS Family Resource Centre: 20 Years of Community, Support & Connection 💛

For 20 years, SOLAS Family Resource Centre has been at the heart of the Headford community, growing and changing alongside the people and families we are here to support.

Our story began in 2005, when SOLAS opened its doors in St. Fursa’s Hall. What started as a small community resource has grown into a wide range of supports and services for individuals, families, children and the wider community.

Over the years, we have introduced and developed services including counselling, play therapy, Meals on Wheels, youth supports, parent and family programmes, men’s and women’s health initiatives, community groups, mental health awareness programmes and practical supports for people in our community.

There have been many important milestones along the way. In 2007, SOLAS moved into a new building on Main Street, Headford, and began services including the Calabria Youth Club, Lone Parents Support Group and Rainbows Programme. In 2008, counselling was introduced with one counsellor. Today, we have six counsellors supporting people in our community.

Our Meals on Wheels service has also grown significantly. In 2008, around 12 meals a day were being prepared in the Angler’s Rest Hotel. Today, the service provides 45+ meals each day, supported by dedicated volunteers and a fleet of Meals on Wheels vans over the years.

SOLAS has also been proud to support initiatives that have become much-loved annual events in Headford. The Men’s NCT Health Day, Women’s Health Day, Christmas Food Appeal and multicultural community celebrations have all grown from small beginnings into important opportunities for connection, information and support.

In 2013, SOLAS moved into the building we are based in today. Since then, the range of services has continued to expand, including play therapy, outreach services, the Dementia Café and community mental health initiatives.

Perhaps one of the most significant moments in our history came during 2020, when SOLAS provided extensive support to the local community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Our work during this difficult time was recognised with the Galway County Council Covid-19 Community Response Award.

From our first administrator to today’s team, from one counsellor to six, and from 12 Meals on Wheels meals a day to more than 45, the story of SOLAS is one of growth, dedication and community spirit.

In 2025, we celebrated 20 years of SOLAS Family Resource Centre. Twenty years of listening, supporting, welcoming and working alongside the people of Headford and the surrounding communities.

And while we are proud of everything that has been achieved, we know that the most important part of the SOLAS story has always been — and will continue to be — the people.

To everyone who has used our services, volunteered, supported our work, attended an event, worked with us, donated, shared our posts or simply walked through our doors over the past 20 years: thank you.

Here’s to the next chapter of SOLAS — continuing to be a welcome for all. 💛

The History of Solas Family Resource Centre

In 1999, as part of the Government’s Partnership 2000 Programme, the Department of Social, Community & Family Affairs pro-actively targeted a number of areas in the country for the development of new Family Resource Centres. As part of this process Headford, Co. Galway was identified as an area in which a Family Resource Centre was to be established.

During 2002, a series of meetings were organised by West Training & Development with local community groups, activists and statutory agencies to discuss the setting up of a Family Resource Centre in the Headford area. This included meetings with key groups and individuals and a number of more general public information meetings.

Arising from this consultation / information process a core group of local people volunteered to work with West Training & Development to set about developing a 3-year workplan for the Family Resource Centre. This entailed identifying the needs in the local area that a FRC could address, outlining the aims and objectives for the FRC and agreeing the key target groups that the Resource Centre would seek to work with and support.

The official launch of Solas Family Resource Centre, Headford took place on Saturday 28th of June 2008. The launch was performed by Michael Kitt TD Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for local services).