Our History
Douglas and District Lions Club was founded in 1986 with the objective of providing support to families and community groups within the Douglas catchment area. Since its formation, Douglas and District Lions Club has endeavoured to support the
aged and the most vulnerable within our community through our various fundraising activities including, for example, a monthly fuel drops to individuals in need of support over the cold winter months, a Flag Day, Charity Walks, Christmas Food Appeal,
Annual Golf Classic, to name but a few.
Beneficiaries to date include the local branch of St Vincent De Paul, Meals on wheels Douglas, St Columba’s Girls National School with a facility for the deaf children. Childhood Cancer, Marymount Cancer Hospice, Cork Sick Poor, Cope Foundation and many other deserving causes within our community. Douglas and District Lions celebrated their coming of age at a gala black tie ball whichwas held at the nearby Rochestown Park Hotel on 9 th February 2007. Friends, supporters, sponsors’ and politicians from all parties attended the hugely successful event. Today, Douglas & District Lions continues its work of supporting deserving causes both locally and internationally.
Lion House
In 1990, it became clear that there was a need to improve the living conditions of a number of elderly residents in the area and to provide them with security and companionship. A suitable site on Church Road was secured through the inspirational generosity of the late Michael Hegarty. Douglas Lions established the Douglas Old Folks Housing Association and embarked on an ambitious project to build a block of ten one story, single occupancy apartments which became known as Lion House. Funding for the project was through a combination of Government Grants and local fundraising by Lions Club members. This project was the first of its kind to be undertaken by a Lions
Club in Ireland. The official opening of Lion House by Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, was in July 1991.
Lion House Grove
A second social housing project, Lion House Grove, located behind the existing Lion House building, was completed and officially opened by Michael Martin, T.D. Minister for
Education and Science in November 1999. Since 1991, Lion House has accommodated over seventy residents, and having acquired an additional three houses in the village, Douglas
Lions Club can now provide and manage accommodation for twenty-one independently living residents at any one time in our community.