Jackie Maguire: A caregiver’s calling

The Anglo-Celt Community & Sports Awards, in partnership with Mannok and Kingspan, will take place this Thursday evening in the Cavan Crystal Hotel. Jackie Maguire , a HSE carer from Newtowngore, is a finalist for Carer of the Year...

HSE carer Jackie Maguire from Newtowngore provides in-home support to close to a dozen elderly and vulnerable adults living across west Cavan.

Her tireless work has earned her a nomination for ‘Carer of the Year’ at this year’s Anglo-Celt Community and Sports Awards - an honour that recognises outstanding individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty in their role.

Jackie isn’t one to seek the spotlight, but she is touched by the gesture. Her nomination came from several families she supports, and though humble about the recognition, if anything, she hopes it will help shine a light on the value of in-home care and the importance of supporting people where they feel safest.

“For many, staying in their own space means everything,” says Jackie.

“It’s about making someone’s day better, every single day,” adds Jackie, who began her career in care work after completing a QQI accredited healthcare training course during Covid. She then went on attain a Level 5 qualification, began working with the HSE in November 2023, and hasn’t looked back since.

Until then Jackie had been a carer for her son over many years.

Her days now start early and often stretch late into the evening.

The married mum of three provides tailored care to each individual. She takes time to get to know each person, making them feel seen and valued. The same applies to their loved ones.

As a cancer survivor herself, Jackie speaks from experience when she acknowledges the importance of treating people with “dignity and love”.

She was diagnosed with the disease in 2016, and got involved with Cuán Cancer Care in Cavan, becoming a volunteer there after as a way to “give back” for all the support she had received.

“That’s something money can’t buy,” she says of the empathy and respect and the service provided by the local organisation.

She also previously worked with Western Alzheimers, and applies the skills she learned then to her work now.

“I suppose you could call it a calling,” says Jackie. “I feel like this is what I’ve always been meant to do.”

With special thanks to our partners and sponsors in these awards - Mannok, Kingspan, Sherry FitzGerald Declan Woods, Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dovida, Kyte Powertech, CICS Silo Clean and Joe Rowley Windows