After 12 tireless years of campaigning, we attained our goal of opening a Domestic Violence Refuge in Tallaght in 2006, for women and children escaping violence in the home. This campaign was lead and won by our founding member, Pam O’Connor, who gave a voice to women living in fear and danger. South Dublin County Council provided the building to adapt as a safe, secure refuge and our core operational funding is provided by the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence department of Tusla, The Child and Family Agency.

Saoirse Women’s Refuge Tallaght was officially opened in December 2006 by the then President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

After enduring the economic recession, fast forward to 2019 and the achievement of a key strategic goal to open a second refuge. Rathcoole Refuge was officially opened in November 2019, by the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone. As part of a major expansion of our services, we also extended our Outreach and Prevention services, Child support services and our staff and management structure, to support the new Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (SDVS), we are today.