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Welcome
Merchants Quay Ireland – Homeless & Drugs Services
Merchants Quay Ireland is a voluntary organisation providing a wide range of services to people who are homeless and for drug users. In 2011, we worked with over 5,000 drug users and people who were homeless.
On this site you will find information about our services and about homelessness and drug use in Ireland. You can access our publications, training course brochures and our comprehensive links section. 
Spring Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
A Heart for the Homeless: The True Story of Merchants Quay Ireland
The Man Behind the Smiles You Bring
This Legacy I Leave: by Peter, MQI Supporter
A tribute to Davy Page
It was with great sadness that we marked the passing of our dear colleague Davy Page.
Davy, father, friend and colleague will be dearly missed by the staff and clients of MQI.
A project worker at MQI’s Riverbank Homeless and Drugs Centre in Dublin, Davy will be fondly remembered for his down to earth nature, his performances with the band and his passion for helping others.
Our thoughts are with his family.
May he rest in peace.
With Love & Respect from all at Merchants Quay Ireland.
Riverbank Open Access Centre Opens
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD officially opened the newly refurbished Riverbank Open Access Centre 22nd November 2012.
Click here to see media coverage
Run a Marathon for MQI!
New dates for 2013
For your MQI Fundraising packet please contact us at (01) – 524 0139 or by email at info@mqi.ie.
We'll supply a t-shirt, pledge cards and you can set up a personal fundraising webpage on ammado.com. A list of marathons can be viewed on our marathons page.
Autumn Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
Hungry & Homeless in Ireland: What It Really Means
Welcome to Riverbank
Join us for our Christmas
Annual Review 2011 Launched
14th September 2012
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| Miriam O’Callaghan with Hugh McKenna OFM and Tony Geoghegan |
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The Merchants Quay Ireland Annual Review for 2011 has been launched by Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan. Download it here.
Struggling to Cope: Merchants Quay Ireland provided over 73,000 meals in 2011 with increasing numbers turning daily to homeless charity for basic food and medical care.
Click here to view the Flick-through version
Media Reaction: Click here to read media reaction.
Summer Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
The Ripple effect of MQI’s work in the Irish Prison System
How Michael found freedom behind bars
Riverbank Update
The Fisher Man Band
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| Brian Conly and the Fisher Man Band |
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We love our band! They play every Friday afternoon at our Drop-In Centre. The band is made up of Volunteers, Clients and Staff.
Special thanks to Brian Cronly musician and film maker and a wonderful friend and supporter of Merchants Quay.
click here to see Brian Cronly’s youtube video
Spring Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
Riverbank to Shine as a Beacon of Hope Across Ireland
A Light for Kevin on a Long, Dark Road
The Story Behind MQI’s New Logo
Diploma & Certificate in Drugs Counselling Theory & Intervention Skills 2012/2013
Dublin & Cork
Applications are now being accepted for the MQI/UCD Certificate and Diploma courses in Drugs Counselling Theory and Intervention Skills 2012/2013. The Certificate programme is offered in both Dublin and Cork. The Diploma is offered in Dublin only.
These courses offer an opportunity to persons working with drug users to gain professional training in this interesting and complex field. The courses run over one academic year (September - May), are part-time and include classroom teaching and placements in specialist drugs services.
For further details/application form for Dublin courses please contact Peter Kelly on peter.kelly@mqi.ie or by telephone on 01 524 0936. For information on the Certificate in Cork please contact Edel Quinn on edelm.quinn@mqi.ie or by telephone on 01 524 0931
More information is available here.
MQI St Francis Farm Appeal
Help give men and women a safe path out of addiction.
Please help us furnish The St. Francis Farm Detox and Rehabilitation Project in Tullow, Co Carlow, so that we can treat over 100 men and women each year and help them break free of heroin’s grip.
Find out more here or make a donation here.
Autumn Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
Families of Addiction: A mother's true story
- The silent suffering of the “families of addiction” is one of the most devastating sides of drug use in Ireland today.
MQI Supporters Enjoy a Sunny Day on the Farm
- A lovely lunch, fresh air, and a face-to-face chat with those you’re helping.
Free Hard Hat Tours of the New Riverbank
- Every Tuesday starting in December
Annual Review 2010 Launched
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| Hugh McKenna OFM, Róisín Shortall TD and Tony Geoghegan |
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The Merchants Quay Ireland Annual Review for 2010 has been launched.
<< Click here to download it.
Click here to watch RTE's report >>
Heroin: the next generation
Una Mullally writes in The Irish Times
Addiction to the drug is changing. In Dublin, methadone programmes have created a generation of older users who may never get clean. Outside the capital, heroin use is rampant. And the closure of head shops means a new wave of young ‘polydrug’ users must now get their fix on the street.
more...
Latest Newsletter
Latest edition available now
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
St. Francis Farm Detox & Rehab Project Nearly Complete!- A picture is worth a thousand words, or so it’s been said. But these photographs speak just two: thank you..
Hidden Heroin Epidemic Rages Beyond Dublin- Matching Grants Double Your Donations for Cork & Limerick.
Your donation grows up to 69%- when you make a difference, month on month, for Ireland’s most vulnerable. Here’s how....
Spring Newsletter
Click here to read the latest edition of the Merchants Quay newsletter.
In this edition:
St. Francis Farm: The Place Where Miracles Grow- as spring breathes new life into the land, the new detox unit at St. Francis Farm in Tullow, Co Carlow, is 100% complete.
Thank you for being our perfect match!- the results are in from Merchants Quay’s firstever Christmas match. And you, our brilliant supporters, made it a success.
The Strength to Say Goodbye- one man gains the strength to say goodbye: to his painful past, longstanding addictions and self-destructive way of life.
STAR Award for Drugs Training Partnership
21st February 2011
On Monday February 21st 2011, MQI in conjunction with UCD and our other training partners An Cosan (Tallaght) and Urrus (Ballymun) received a STAR award recognising our collaborative partnership in promoting adult learning in drugs education and research on a nationwide basis. The annual adult learner’s festival hosted by AONTAS is a celebration of the positive contribution which adult education makes to us as individuals, to our society and our local communities. The award was presented by Michael D Higgins and Sean Haughey T.D. was also in attendance.
See the news page for more details
Certificate in Drugs Counselling Theory & Intervention Skills
Cork September 2011
University College Dublin in partnership with Merchants Quay Ireland launched a new professional training programme in drugs counselling theory and intervention skills in Cork in September 2009. The MQI/UCD certificate course is aimed at those currently working in drug services, community development projects and other social and healthcare services as well as those interested in developing careers in these areas. Participants will be equipped with the skills and knowledge, grounded in practical experience needed to tackle the growing problems of drug use in Cork and across the southern region.
MQI are pleased to offer this course in Cork city commencing in September 2011. If you would like more information, we will be running two opening evenings in the Cork School of Music on April 7th and May 5th 2011. Contact Edel Quinn in the training office on 01 5240931 for more information on the Certificate in Drugs Counselling & Intervention Skills Cork 2011.
If you're truly vulnerable, life is a matter of survival
Among the unseen ranks of the Merchants Quay Centre's clients, no one is preparing a budget submission, or going on strike, or calling themselves 'vulnerable' on radio. read more...
Please Donate
Help us to raise vital funds so we can assist homeless people in finding accommodation and provide settlement support. Help us in our work with problem drug users to minimise the harm caused to themselves, their families and the wider community.
Click here to find out more and to download a donation form or donate online with your credit card!
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Latest News and Events
Closing Date for Applications for Dublin Certificate & Diploma 2013/2014 MQI are currently accepting applications for the MQI/UCD Certificate in Drugs Counselling Theory & Intervention Skills in Dublin. Closing date is April 26th 2013. more > Opening Evening in Cork for Certificate in Drugs Counselling & Intervention Skills 2013/2014 MQI will be running an Open evening in Cork on May 2nd 5.30pm – 7.00pm, Cork School of Music, Room G15, for all those interested in taking the MQI/UCD Certificate in Drugs Counselling Theory & Intervention Skills based in Cork in September 2013. more > 
Letter to Santa from a young MQI supporter MQI gets a mention in Dan's letter. more > more news... |
