The Coventry ‘Irish Elders Project’, organised by Mayo Rehab. was launched at a ceremony in Hotel Westport by journalist and broadcaster, Michael Commins. 

The project consists of an ongoing monthly draw, with all proceeds going towards the upkeep of Teach na hÉireann in Coventry, a centre designed to support Irish people in Coventry, especially those that are homeless. 

Among those present at the launch were Dana Rosemary Scallon, M.E.P., Cllr. Margaret Adams, Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Mr. Michael Commins, Cllr. Seán Staunton, Cllr. Blackie Gavin and Mr. Michael Needham, a native of Kilsallagh, Westport, and Chairman of the Mayo Association, Coventry, organisers of a holiday for a group of Coventry people in Westport. 
Mr. Kevin Bourke of Rehab presided at the launch and thanked all who had come along for the launch. 

Presentations were made to Cllr. Adams, Dana, Cllrs. Staunton and Gavin. 

In his address Kevin Bourke said a recent ‘Prime Time’ programme highlighted the terrible plight of an estimated 400,000 Irish emigrants living in isolated, dreary bed-sits in many parts of England’s cities today. 

‘These are the very same people who, in their prime, were forced to flee from their native land in their thousands to seek a livelihood elsewhere. 

He continued - "Ties of family loyalty coupled with that unique spirit of Irish generosity resulted in these exiles remitting money on a regular basis to their loved ones back home. The English registered letter and the money telegram put a smile on many a mother’s face and boosted the local economy. Estimates of the value of these remittances put the figure at £3 billion, a colossal amount of money at anytime. Using a modern phrase, they were the "Celtic Tiger" of their day as far as the Irish economy was concerned. This boundless generosity and intense commitment to their native land stands as a monumental tribute to them and their endeavours to share their new-found wealth with their homeland which was then so devoid of economic development. 

Now, in their twilight years, in failing health, and afflicted with an almost unbearable loneliness, they deserve to be remembered and cherished by the country of their birth. With this in mind, "Rehab Care Great Britain" established a drop-in-centre appropriately named "Teach na hÉireann" in Coventry, where these emigrants can meet and socialise in a warm, friendly Irish atmosphere. In short this is a "home from home" for these people, so far removed from their native land. The generous gift of a mini-bus by a Mayo business man provides the transport for those in need of same in order to get to the centre. 

It is here you can help by purchasing the enclosed ticket - cost €84 - for a twelve monthly draw organised by Rehab in Mayo. All the proceeds of this draw will go towards the upkeep of this centre, namely "Teach na hÉireann". It truly behooves us all, as inheritors of a beautiful, confident and materially well-off Ireland to remember with gratitude all those emigrants who contributed so much to the well-being of their native land in a bygone era.