Cork ARC Cancer Support House, Bantry

For many years people from West Cork have been travelling to Cork for cancer support services but now the centre in Bantry helps to avoid these long journeys. The Bantry centre serves the needs of the local community as well as the wider regions of West Cork from Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Sheep’s Head, Mizen and Beara Peninsulas and their islands, and beyond to Kenmare, South Kerry. 

Cork ARC Cancer Support House is a safe haven for people with cancer and their families to come for practical help and emotional support free of charge. Last year, they received over 1,600 visits from cancer patients and their families who availed of their drop-in and telephone support along with their other services which are by appointment; counselling, massage, reflexology, pilates, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, art therapy and their hour of calm group. All of their services are designed to help manage and alleviate the psychological stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.

The support centre is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Gouree Beg, Bantry from 10am to 4pm when anyone affected by cancer can telephone or drop in, without an appointment, and talk in confidence with one of the trained volunteer listeners.

Bantry Hospice 

The Bantry Hospice Project was set up to fundraise for the development of two Palliative Care Units within the Bantry General Hospital facility and the units were officially opened in August 2010. The Bantry Hospice Project has also contributed to the building of an extension to the Cardiac Unit at Bantry General Hospital.

Bantry Hospice continues to fundraise to support the services of the Palliative Care Team in West Cork. This includes providing Home Care assistance, extra costs associated with Night Nurse Care, part-funding of The Social Worker, supplying necessary equipment and covering other running costs when required.

Recently Bantry Hospice has set up a hardship fund for Cancer patients and their families who face additional costs (subject to available funds).  Bantry Hospice continues to support Cork ARC Cancer Support House’s services, based in Bantry and covering all of West Cork from Bandon to the Beara Peninsula and continues to support Maymount Hospital & Hospice Cork in providing palliative care services in West Cork to all families in this area, in their time of need.