Remembering J J Byrne

 J J Byrne was one of the first flush of residents in Clareville Court (sheltered accommodation in Glasnevin). He was in his mid eighties when he arrived and immediately called a meeting of the residents, formed a residents association, and was elected chairman. 

The Clareville Court Residents Association, under his leadership, launched into intense activity. Besides the organised outings, there were weekly dinners in the Day Room to which notable personalities were invited, or, rather, summoned; talks by important people, and a yearly Awards Ceremony, where J J "recognised" those people who, during the previous year, had by their actions made a significant contribution to community well-being.

As well as cultural and pleasure outings for residents of Clareville, he also, organised trips to Arus an Uachtaráin and the Mansion House.

He set up a branch of the Lyons International in Glasnevin, which raised funds for several charities, including funds for a Minibus to bring outlying elderly people to Clareville Day Centre, when that facility was established in the second tranche of development at Clareville Court.

J J brought out a periodic, well-designed and printed, Newsletter, "The Clareville News," in which he described these activities.

A selection of Newsletters written, edited and published by J J 

Centrefold of one issue of J J's "Clareville News."

If you click on this image, you will see a larger version and will be able to make out many of the important persons summoned by J J to his ceremonies at Clareville.

There was a democratic deficit in J J's activities: since he was happy to stay on as Chairman, he saw no need for Annual General Meetings where a new chairman could be elected. In time, some residents resented his authority and complained him to the City Council (his landlord and owner of Clareville Court). Instead of advising that he call a General Meeting to renew his chairmanship, an official of the City Council called to his residence and demanded that he hand over the key of the Day Room, his symbol of power, and his authority was thus brought to a premature end.

However, the Day Room was due to close anyway. The end of J J's reign roughly coincided with the opening of the Day Centre, where daily lunches are served for the elderly of the locality, as well as multiple services (assisted bathing, nursing services, chiropody, movement to music, sing-song, Socrates cafe, art classes, knitting and other craft groups, etc) and community activities (chess, bridge, residents meetings, Alzheimer Cafe, etc). The Day Room was redundant and converted into a residence.

Residents' committees remain active in Clareville, but nothing could ever equal what was achieved under J J Byrne's leadership.