About Us

'The best and most important things cannot be learnt or even seen.... they must be felt with the heart! '

Meg and Mike Fitzgerald, Canberra ACT

Our reason for coming to Ireland firstly was for my (Meg) final work experience practicum for Social Work Masters.... I had researched a few Therapeutic Communities (TCs) in Ireland and how they operated.  I liked the idea of Community as Therapy - an element that seems to be missing in our Australian TC's so the opportunity to work within the Coolmine TC north Dublin where they include family members, friends and the community in this long term recovery program.

As for Mike, well he just so happened to find a Uillean Pipe making course for 6 weeks which coincided with my desired  timeframe!  He also had been working for many years in a very stressful work related area and needed a good long break while, I work!! So here we are!

PLEASE USE OUR GUESTBOOK PAGE TO KEEP IN TOUCH....

The Irish summer is so very mild in comparison to the heat of our Australian summer and so far am still in my winter clothes -

and like Melbourne weather with 4 seasons in one day!

Background to our adventure

Mike is an official Irish citizen!  When we previously travelled in Ireland several years ago, I began to understand why he loved this place and why he felt more at home over here, than in any other part of the world.  Mike is "as irish as Paddys pigs"! His love of agriculture, irish music, the people... ALL was revealed! Our trip to County Kerry and the Brandon/Cloghan area showcased the Fitzgerald roots. I experienced Mike at his best in this country.

My families' roots began in County Clare and on the first trip to Ireland, I realised that I was 'home'! What an amazing 'knowing' swept over me in a way I cannot explain in words... it was certainly felt in my heart. The warmth, hospitality, friendliness and passion of the Irish was alive and well within me and it finally helped me to appreciate some of these attributes which had been handed down to me and 'who I was' took on more definition.

I am not certain when I found myself loving working in the Alcohol and Drug rehabilitation field as it was something I didnt aspire towards.  It commenced when Mike and I were working in Canberra with people who had family members in prison often with alcohol / drug / mental health issues.  I then moved to working with adult men and women who had AOD problems which limited their personal, social, economic, employment plus physical and mental health.  Then working with the often traumatised parents, partners, husbands, wives and children who had a significant family member in the grip of serious addicition.  Working at the front line in these areas, is where I seem to thrive.  Being a part of another persons 'recovery' has been a very challenging but rewarding experience. 

I have watched people so ill and seemingly insane with their alcohol / drug use come to life again and live purposeful lives as they are encouraged, empowered and supported to get their lives back and once again be in control of their lives.  These people are truly 'legends' or heroes to me, as they learn or realise if they can do this (quit their drink/drug of choice) they can do anything they set their minds to! And often do...

I have learnt that Addiction is no respector of persons!  It can strike in any family rich/poor'; functional/dysfunctional; loving/unloving; extroverted/introverted; with faith/without; abuse/no-abuse.  However, I can attest to the fact that a large number of the adults with addiction issues, have experienced childhood trauma (physical/emotional or sexual abuse) and display symptoms of PTSD.

My aim for this Irish escapade is to increase my professional capacity for the benefit of my clients and develop more skills to work alongside people with addiction issues in Australia via the Coolmine Therapeutic Community approach:  'Community as Therapy'. To bring back what I have learnt and initiate this practice within my own direct social work practice and within other AOD facilities within Canberra.

Mikes aim is his story to tell but from my perspective it is - to have a break from his work and refresh and rejuvenate after a long hard slog!  And the bonus is learning how to make Uillean pipes as there are not many pipe makers in Australia and he loves 'The Pipes' , experience plenty of traditional sessions at the local pubs, immersing himself in the Irish culture and laughing lots with each other.

As one of our new Irish friends exclaimed, "Life is all about laughing... and without it, life isn't worth living!" 

So heres to Life (and now Laughter) in all its fulness!!