ABOUT US
Ability West provides a wide range of disability support services to people with complex intellectual, physical and multiple disabilities. The organisation is committed to working in partnership with the Health Service Executive in providing supports and services, and empowering the lives of the people we support to ensure that they live their best lives.
Ability West was founded 63 years ago, by families who wanted better support for their children with intellectual disabilities and comorbidities. Over 600 children and adults’ avail of our services and the organisation operates more than 60 centres located across Galway City and County.
Ability West is also proud to be patron of four special schools St. Joseph’s Special School, Galway City, Tigh Nan Dooley, Carraroe, St. Oliver’s Special School, Tuam, and St. Teresa’s Special School, Ballinasloe.
Today, Ability West employs more than 630 people across Galway City & County.
Ability West is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital and is also a registered charity.
Weekly Drumming Session
Beechwood Day Service
Need to contact us?
We’ve got a new contact form so that you can easily make contact with us! Click here to access it.
Win a kia picanto - ABILITY WEST CAR DRAW the winners!!
The Ability West Win a Kia Picanto Car Draw is over, and the winner is…Michael Jennings from Tuam - Congratulations Michael! We wish Michael years of happy driving in his new Kia Picanto!!
Thank you to Special Olympian Ian Staunton from Snipe Day Service who helped us draw the Tickets yesterday evening and to Pat Mulrooney for being a great 'host' for the Draw Event.
The winners of the additional prizes were as follows:
2nd Prize - €750 cash - Sinead Ni Thuathail
3rd Prize - Voucher for Clifden House Hotel - Hannah Morgan
4th Prize - €500 of Home Heating Oil - Rory McDonagh
5th Prize - €250 cash - Martena Cregg
We've managed to contact some of the winners already last night and will aim to contact the rest of them today.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to every single person who bought a ticket and supported Ability West. Because of you, we can go the extra mile for the people we support across our 70 services in Galway city and county.
The funds raised will help us purchase vital equipment — things like sensory equipment and other types of equipment — making a real difference every day for people with intellectual disabilities and autism that we support.
We are so grateful to our wonderful advocates who got behind the draw:
• Joe Gorham – Connacht Rugby
• Finlay Bealham – Ireland & Connacht Rugby
• Sean Keane – Singer
• Leo Moran – The Saw Doctors
• Cyril Farrell – RTÉ/GAA
• Mike Denver – Singer
We'd also like to thank our sponsors for the Draw:
Castlelough Corporation
Clifden House Hotel
Clybaun Hotel
Galway Bay Hotel
Ken Daly Bus Hire
Sweeney Oil
Kinlay Hostel Galway
Also a thank you to John Forde of Kia Renmore who are supplying the Kia Picanto and for letting us film at the Showrooms and also have the car for videos.
Final thanks to SixTwo and Verdi who managed all the Digital Marketing, social media and website for the Fundraising Campaign.
Every1counts
The Every1Counts impact badge is a symbol of positive change made to improve the quality of life for people with childhood-onset disabilities in Ireland.
It represents meaningful and positive action taken by an individual, club, business, school or community to enhance accessibility and inclusion.
As an organisation that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, we are proud to share the Every1Counts Social Impact Badge!
Ability West Recent News
2025 Annual Report
2025-2030 Strategic Plan
2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Our Annual Report 2025 is now available here. Thanks to the people we support and staff in our services who were involved in photography for this annual report.
Click below to view the 2025 Annual Report PDF
2025 - 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN
We launched our new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan at our AGM in May.
Thanks to the people we support and staff in our services who were involved in photography for this Strategic Plan
Thanks also to Andrew Downes | Xposure.ie for his expert photography.