A Safe Haven - Cois Nore

Cois Nore was set up to provide cancer support in the community. Available evidence indicates that cancer patients who have their psychological and social needs addressed locally have better outcomes and quality of life. A cancer diagnosis brings its own fears and anxiety for the person diagnosed and all their family members. Cois Nore provides a safe space to talk and to relieve the mental and physical stress that is part of every cancer journey.

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has outlined key stakeholders (like Cois Nore) as essential care providers for those on a cancer journey.

Stepping Up

The inaugural Board started from scratch in 2013 under Chairperson Martin Brett putting down solid foundations to provide cancer support services in Kilkenny. A new board was formed in 2020 with Bill Cuddihy appointed as as Chairperson for a 6 year period, to build on the work of the previous board work. Together they developed a strategic plan that raised their ambition to match the identified needs within Kilkenny. The board were diligent in their research, learning from community cancer services considered best in class in Ireland and abroad and mapping the availability of services and support in Kilkenny to identify the gaps.

The Board concluded that a dedicated centre was needed to provide quality support and care to families in the community in which they live. A number of possible options were explored. Based on the research additional services such as exercise and wellness activities along with nutrition support were identified as important to add in order to make a significant positive impact on cancer recovery. Plans were finalised to move to larger premises with the purchase of a suitable house on the Waterford Road. Cois Nore undertook an ambitious €2 million fundraising campaign to cover the purchase of the building, renovations, furnishing, and running costs for the first year. The plan was very reliant on the goodwill of communities across Kilkenny to work with us to raise the funds needed to achieve a first class service that the people of Kilkenny deserve. The funds raised currently stands at €1.75 million which is a phenomenal achievement and would not have been possible without the support from community groups, businesses and individuals across Kilkenny.

We moved to our new premises in May 2026 and the Wellness Studio was added in August 2026. In September 10th 2026 the Minister of Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill officially opened Cois Nore House.

In September 2026 a new Chairperson , Pat McLoughlin was appointed to lead for a 6 year term on the scaling up of cancer support services to the people of Kilkenny.

The moment everything changes

Every single day, in two homes in County Kilkenny, a bomb goes off: that’s what it feels like to receive a cancer diagnosis.

The shock for the patient and their immediate family is overwhelming, with little time to adjust, the focus moves to
treating the disease. Most patients have a combination of hospital treatments that might last weeks, months or, unfortunately, even years. Five years after diagnosis, two-thirds of patients are still on their cancer journey.

‘The first day is the start of a long mostly uphill journey’.

Abandoned

After their treatment programme, everything may seem calm and back to normal but it’s only then that the emotional toll becomes apparent. The sudden absence of weekly appointments, medical support and backup hits home and can leave a person feeling emotionally insecure, anxious and even guilty for feeling this way. Life for this person and those close to them may be uncertain, unstable and changed forever.

Friends and neighbours do what they can, preparing food, collecting children, or visiting the hospital. Everyone rallies around at the height of the storm – but it’s hard to keep it up for months or years.

‘Supporting people on a longer-term cancer journey takes coordination, perseverance and commitment’.

Patients and their families are reluctant to ask for help repeatedly, some families living with cancer feel they are already overdrawn from the bank of goodwill. For others, they feel helpless, hopeless and disempowered.

“Telling friends and family about my cancer was so hard as you’re looking at their shock and horror.”

Thomas

Cancer changes everything forever

An average of 1 person from every household in Kilkenny City & County will develop cancer at some stage in their life