*PICTURED: Cahercalla residents chairman Larry Gavin. Photo by John O’Neill
“I UNDERSTAND you’re a man who knows how to get things” is a famous line from the Shawshank Redemption, that comes to mind when chatting with Cahercalla resident Larry Gavin.
Cahercalla Residents Forum Chairperson, Larry quips, “I’m the go-to guy”.
The Cahercalla Residents Forum is a resident-led initiative that hosts monthly meetings to give its residents a voice and a direct line of communication with the hospital board of management.
Long-time Tulla resident and ‘go-to guy’ Larry worked in Shannon as an air traffic controller for 40 years until his retirement in 2002.
Among his strongest memories on the job include being station manager on the day tragic events unfolded in America on 9/11. Having grown up in Westmeath and then Mayo prior to coming to Clare, Larry tells The Clare Echo, “I hope I’m accepted as a Clare man now”.
Accomplished accordionist Larry established a life and raised his four children in Tulla in 1976, living in the former home of 1914 All-Ireland winning captain Amby Power. Larry’s wife and carer Nuala sadly passed away two years ago.
A lively and sharp individual, he admits, “I was left to look after myself then because I’d had a stroke and I needed 24-hour care. My family would have taken me in but I didn’t want to do that to them so I came here.”
Larry, who turned 81 recently and has eight grandchildren, tells The Clare Echo that the Residents Forum is a productive space for residents to continue improvements to services at Cahercalla.
“The senior management come and people from different areas and the residents discuss strictly confidential stuff, so they can air any grievances they have and I can get little things fixed up for them.
“If there’s anything major then it has to be pursued by the senior management and they have to directly face the music. Everyone is equal in there and it’s a good idea, it allows people to express their opinion about how they’re being treated, and you know it’s good and people are well able to do that. Some people are a little bit shy, but we try to help them along.”
Up to 30 residents might attend meetings on busier occasions, which is open to residents, minders and visitors. For those who don’t wish to speak at a public meeting, Larry notes, “Apart from the meeting I’m the go-to guy and I do get people coming to me in confidence. They might be a bit shy to speak in public, but they can come to me.”
One achievement of the Forum was the introduction of resident trips into Ennis to visit Dunnes Stores, the Ladies Boutiques or a couple of pints.
Equine enthusiast Larry spends his free time reading history books and biographies, while he has an extensive collection of music books which he is in the process of handing over the Clare Libraries.
Larry is highly complimentary of the food at Cahercalla and visits the O’Gorman café in the hospital twice daily, where he often meets the board of management who he stresses are “very pleasant and down to earth people”. “They’re very open-minded, easy to contact and easy to speak to.”
“I’m very pleased with the treatment I’m getting here. It’s a very good establishment, the staff are excellent, really excellent. Everyone knows everyone else. It’s a homely institution, you can have whatever you want, tea, coffee anytime of the day or night. The food is excellent,” adds Larry.
Asked if he is a popular chairperson, Larry quips, “I don’t know, I don’t see anyone looking to sack me anyway!”
Speaking about the importance of facilities like Cahercalla Community Hospital and why they should be supported, Larry adds, “I’d worry seriously if they ever lose a place like Cahercalla because – it’s not my job to stand up for the people of West Clare but – there are times when people need this. I needed this badly because my wife died suddenly, she was my complete carer so where do I go? This was the only place I could get into and it was great to have it.
“If you take someone from Loophead or that area, if they get a stroke like I did, where are they going to go after the stroke was dealt with in the hospital?
“It’s so vitally important that younger people in County Clare realize how important this place is and unfortunately places like this cost a lot of money to run.”
