McAuley Place’s Community Ties with Naas Racecourse
McAuley Place, a not-for-profit housing association in Naas town, is delighted to announce major support and a significant financial contribution from Naas Racecourse in the expansion of McAuley Place, an intergenerational facility that provides independent living for older people in Naas town.
On Saturday May 9th 2026 Naas Racecourse, featuring its Naas Oaks Trial Day, will be the venue for the next fundraising event run by McAuley Place. This event aims to raise funds for a much-needed expansion of McAuley Place. Today, there are 53 apartments which are currently full, with a substantial waiting list. Together with Kildare County Council and the support of the wider community this facility is striving to grow. The next stage in the development involves an extension to the existing facility. McAuley Place has acquired the adjacent Beaufort site which, when completed, will provide an additional housing block of 44 units with a vibrant new space for older residents of the wider community.
According to Patricia Darling, Chairperson of McAuley Place, “the very generous donation by Naas Racecourse and proceeds from this Raceday fundraising event will support the new development at Beaufort. When complete, the new complex will connect seamlessly with the existing site via the Woodland Garden. The expanded campus will continue to be a space where all in the community can connect, regardless of age, ability or disability, where arts and crafts will be used as tools for engagement and to enhance wellbeing, and where tourists will be able to engage with the living history of Naas while meeting members of our wonderful community.”
Dermot Cantillon, Chairperson of Naas Racecourse commented, “At Naas Racecourse, we believe that the heart of every great town is its community. We are proud to be in a position to support this special project which will offer not only homes, but dignity, connection and opportunity for older members of our town”.
Together with invaluable statutory funding, the cost of the original development at McAuley Place on the Convent of Mercy site was underpinned by the support of the local community in the form of financial contributions and voluntary work. 95% of the new Beaufort project is being funded by the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) grant through Kildare County Council and the Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage whilst the remaining 5% is to be raised by fundraising initiatives and all donations will be most welcome.
We invite the community to join us in supporting this truly worthwhile cause. Hospitality and raffle tickets for the event on May 9th at Naas Racecourse can be purchased at McAuley Place or online at www.mcauleyplace.ie.
