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A Conversation with Alan Dooley

We sat down with Alan Dooley, who has been a steadfast presence at Merchants Quay Ireland since 1996. In that time, he’s developed a deep understanding of the struggles faced by clients and how your acts of humanity offer someone a lifeline.
Alan - Autumn Quay Times

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A monthly gift helps us to plan ahead and know that we can help more people

Could provide 7 people with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

Could provide 15 people with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

Could provide 27 people with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

If you donate €250 or more within a calender year, we will send you a “tax back“ form to sign. This will allow MQI to reclaim the tax paid on your donation from the government and help even more people in need at no extra cost to you.

Could provide 39 people with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

When you donate €250 or more within a calender year, we will send you a “tax back” form to sign. This will allow MQI to reclaim the tax paid on your donation from the government and help even more people in need at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Could provide someone with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares, every month.

Could provide 2 people every month with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

Could provide 3 people every month with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

If you donate €21 or more within a calender year, we will send you a “tax back” form to sign. This will allow MQI to reclaim the tax paid on your donation from the government and help even more people in need at no extra cost to you.

Could provide 5 people every month with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

When you donate €21 or more a month, within a calender year, we will send you a “tax back” form to sign. This will allow MQI to reclaim the tax paid on your donation from the government and help even more people in need at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Could provide 5 people every month with a nourishing meal, a hot shower, a clean set of clothes and a chat with someone who cares.

When you donate €21 or more a month, within a calender year, we will send you a “tax back” form to sign. This will allow MQI to reclaim the tax paid on your donation from the government and help even more people in need at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Phone Post

Donate by phone

To make a secure donation over the phone, you can reach us during our office hours from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, at +353 1 524 0160. One of our dedicated fundraising team members will be happy to assist you and securely process your donation.

Donations hotline:

+353 1 524 0160

If you're a taxpayer and donate €250 or more to us in a year, MQI can claim back the tax on your donations – meaning your generous support will go even further to help even more people, at no extra cost to you.

Donate by post

You can post a cheque, bank draft or postal order made payable to: Merchants Quay Ireland.

Post to: MQI Fundraising Department,
24 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8
Ireland, D08X7YK
If you're a taxpayer and donate €250 or more to us in a year, MQI can claim back the tax on your donations – meaning your generous support will go even further to help even more people, at no extra cost to you.
Q. Can you talk about the challenges of being homeless in Winter?
For someone experiencing homelessness, winter is a particularly difficult time. They face the same cold and rain as everyone else, but they can’t simply go inside, have a shower or change into dry clothes. I’ve seen people in tents who are saturated and freezing cold, and it’s heartbreaking. That’s why our MQI donors are so important, as their support is what allows us to offer a refuge from these brutal conditions.
The Riverbank drop-in service, which is funded by the kindness of our donors, provides support and relief for people in desperate need of it. My favourite part of the day is the Riverbank breakfast service, where we open the doors at 8 a.m., or even earlier if it’s pouring rain. When clients come in soaked, freezing cold, distressed, and worried, they can get a hot meal and a cup of tea or coffee.
This small act of humanity has a big impact, even for a short time. And it’s our amazing donors who’ve made it possible for us to provide access to showers and clean clothes, which makes a huge difference. It’s not just about the physical warmth of the building; it’s about the warmth of a welcome that treats our clients with respect and dignity, which is not something they always get in their daily lives.
Q. What is Christmas like for clients at Merchants Quay Ireland?
Christmas can be a really tough time for a lot of our clients. For many, it’s a stark reminder of what they’ve lost. Many have fractured relationships with parents, siblings, and children. They see everyone else celebrating and enjoying themselves, and it just highlights their isolation. You can see a real heaviness come over people in the weeks leading up to Christmas. To help with this, we put a lot of effort into making it a memorable time for them. We decorate Riverbank and have a special clients’ Christmas party. We hope that for the few hours the party is on, it helps our men and women forget some of their struggles and just enjoy themselves. It’s an opportunity for them to experience a special day.
Q. How important are MQI donors to your work?
Our donors are the heart of our work. Without their generosity the doors wouldn’t open. It’s their kindness and compassion that fuels everything, from the first cup of tea poured in the morning to helping someone access medical and dental care, counselling or housing support, it all comes down to the kind hearted people who support us.. It’s the donors who help lift that “shroud of unhappiness” that can envelop our clients and give them a sense of dignity and hope. I give thanks for the compassionate people who make our work possible every day. Every day your compassion, generosity and kindness are giving safety, support and hope to people who really need it. Thank you for caring enough to make a difference.

“It’s not just about the physical warmth of the building, it’s about the warmth of a welcome that treats our clients with respect and dignity, which is not something they always get in their daily lives.”

 
– Alan Dooley, MQI Team Member