Mary Butler T.D. with staff at the official opening of Solace Café in Sligo L to R: Sarah McGeever, Co-ordinator, Christina McTaggart, CEO, Sinead Casey, Operations Manager, Brian Fahy, Peer Connector, Minister Butler., Aolish Gormley, Co-ordinator, Leanne Dineen, Administration, John Fiztmaurice, HSE IHA Manager and Melina Thieme, Peer Connector.
Unveiling the plaque at the official opening of the Solace Café in Sligo. L to R: John Meehan, Assistant National Director Access and Integration and Head of HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, Cllr James Gilmartin, Sinead Casey, Operations Manager Solace Café, Dr Donagh O’Neill, Executive Clinical Director, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service, Minister of State Marian Harkin, Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, Cllr Donal Gilroy, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Deputy Eamon Scanlon, John Fiztmaurice, HSE IHA Manager and Cllr Edel McSharry.
The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., has officially opened the Solace Café in Sligo which offers a free, confidential out of hours non-clinical mental health service for adults aged 18 and over in the Sligo Leitrim area.
The service is facilitated by and based at Cornerstone (formerly Sligo Social Services) Retreat House, The Lungy and funded by the HSE West and North West.
Solace Café is one of five pilot services nationwide and is part of the Crisis Resolution Services which along with the Crisis Resolution Team provide rapid assessment and intensive support to adults experiencing mental health crisis.
Services offered at the café include crisis intervention and crisis prevention, through an informal safe space that is part of the community and social landscape, where people will feel comfortable seeking help when times are tough.
The café opens Thursday to Sunday from 5pm to 10.30pm. People who come to the Solace Café will be able to learn about coping strategies and access a range of supports – including one-to-one, peer, psychosocial and recovery supports. When appropriate, Café staff will assist people by signposting them to other relevant mental health and well-being services locally.
Officially opening the Solace Café, Minister Butler said “I’m delighted to open the café which offers a warm, secure space for anyone who is struggling with their mental health or is experiencing difficult times.
“This includes those caring for loved ones, who may be in need of support with their mental wellbeing. This is a vitally important service to help people cope with the pressures and strains of everyday life.”
John Fitzmaurice HSE IHA Manager Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cavan said “We are delighted that Minister Butler agreed to open this valuable facility. The service has been going from strength to strength since opening its’ doors in October 2024. With over 150 appointments attended since January 2025 the service is providing help and assistance to so many within the Sligo Leitrim area.”
Sinead Casey, Operations Manager, Solace Café said “Solace Café provides a safe, informal, welcoming space for people to sit and reflect, chat and connect with others, seek guidance, or talk in confidence one to one, peer to peer. They have staff who bring their own lived experience of mental health struggles to their role relating to and supporting others, providing hope that things can get better and informing the way the service is run. Solace Café is a flexible, person-centred service that is here for the whole community.”