Order of Malta Ireland - Ambulance Corps - Palmerstown

16/10/2025

09/10/2025

Unit are wishing a very Happy Birthday to our Unit Finance Officer Ray.

We took a small break in to mark the occasion with some cake.

05/10/2025

Units from all across Ireland came together today to celebrate and recognise our members. Many awards and citations were given out along with 980 years of service awards. Palmerstown was proudly represented by Capt. Anne Montague who collected her 40 yr service medal. Anne wasnt finished there tho, she was also promoted from Captain to Commandant. Well done Anne we are all very proud today.

20/09/2025

As National competitions come to a close this evening in Killarney we are delighted to share our members have yet again done us proud.

Congratulations to Sean, John and Bronagh on taking second place 🥈 in the ambulance test.

And to Paul and Niamh on winning 🥇 the Assisting with Activities of Daily Living test (formally known as the Home Nursing test.

We are immensely proud to have done so well under such a challenging year without a proper training facility for our .

Congratulations to all those who competed and a big thank you to Order of Malta Ireland - Ambulance Corps - Killarney for hosting an amazing weekend.

19/09/2025

Best of luck to our members travelling down to compete.

We also have staying in Dublin to ensure we are able to provide cover for the community.

🚑Best of luck to all our volunteers heading off to the National Senior Competitions this weekend in Killarney.

Over the course of the day, teams and individuals will compete in a variety of competitions testing their skills! If you are about Killarney, please feel free to come down and watch and cheer on the teams in competitions including the big one in the afternoon - The Overall Team competition 🏆. Across the Gleneagles, you will find lots going on with everyone welcome to watch!

Tune in tomorrow for updates from the ground and the results in the evening!

14/09/2025

Unit are sending a huge congratulations to Cpl Niamh Quigley on her from Bsc Paramedic Studies in Limerick.

Niamh started her journey as a and continued on to seniors where she became an Emergency Medical Technician before joining the National Ambulance Service to complete her paramedic qualification. We can’t wait to see where the rest of your career takes you.

13/09/2025

At the end of every rainbow you find your pot of gold.

13/09/2025

It’s all smiles as the first group of kick off a busy on Day for our members.

First we are down in Corkagh Park for a colour dash. After that we have members heading off to provide cover for the opening of the newly formed Chapelizod before we end the day providing ambulance support for Peamount United FC in their home game against Galway United.

Be sure to stop and say hi if you see us out today.

13/09/2025

🚑 Today is 🚑

Established by our friends and fellow humanitarians in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 25 years ago, International First Aid Day highlights the importance of in saving lives and empowering people to respond in an emergency.

Anyone can learn basic first aid skills and in the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps our are all trained in lifesaving first aid skills, with many developing their skills to the advanced level of Emergency Medical Technician. Our volunteers are passionate about not only providing first aid and medical services to the community, but in training others in these life saving skills too.

Thanks to all our volunteers for their dedication to their first aid and medical training and the many lives they have have saved, touched, changed using these skills!

We have units all over the island of Ireland and if you too would like to learn life saving first aid skills and know you could react in an emergency, why not look for a local unit here: https://orderofmaltaireland.org/contact/local-contacts/
or email info@orderofmalta.ie

10/09/2025

💛 Today is ***dePreventionDay. This year's theme is "Changing the narrative on su***de". 💛

By raising awareness, reducing the stigma & encouraging action we can help to reduce the instances of su***de and save lives.

Su***de is not inevitable and something as simple as an every day chat can interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts, saving a life.

We all have this power. Reaching out to family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers you could change the course of someone's life.

Here are somethings you can do that might save a life:

😢 Look out for signs someone is not coping well. Signs can include: hopelessness, rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge, acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities without thinking, feeling trapped, like there’s no way out, increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawing from friends, family, and society, anxiety or agitation, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, dramatic mood changes.

🗣 Start the conversation. Suicidal thoughts can be interrupted. Something as simple as hello, how are you?, are you ok? or a compliment on something they are wearing. Try not to worry about saying the wrong thing - just showing kindness can help break someone's thoughts. Don't be afraid to ask if someone is having suicidal thoughts, it gives them permission to tell you how they really feel.

👥 Be there for them in the moment, let them know they are not alone and you are there to talk or not talk if they want. If you’re worried about someone, stay with them and let them know you’re there for them. If you think it’s an emergency or they’ve tried to harm themselves, call 999/112.

👂Listen without judgement giving them time and space to open up without interruption. Acknowledge their feelings and show them you care with eye contact and focusing on them not looking at your phone or being distracted. You don't need to have all the answers, empathy, compassion, genuine concern, knowing services like Pieta House and The Samaritans exist, and a willingness to help are key.

💬 Distracting someone from their suicidal thoughts can help too - offer to go for a walk, have a cup of tea or even a random question about a TV show.

🚑 If the risk is imminent call 999 or 112

These are just some suggestions based on research from The Samaritans. Everyone is different and there is no quick fix, but by checking in on others to see they are OK and letting them know you are there to talk could save a life. Why not check in on friends, family or colleagues today?

If you are struggling there are crisis helplines that can offer support:

Pieta. Ending Su***de. Beginning Hope can be contacted on 1800 247 247 or texting 'HELP' to 51444 (standard text msg rates apply) – ROI only
Samaritans Ireland can be reached on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie (NI and ROI)

Some other useful resources:
https://www.pieta.ie/
https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/
Specific resources on how to help others: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/
https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

06/09/2025

Today our wonderful cadets represented Palmerstown unit at the National Service Parade in Dublin city.

29/08/2025

On sunday we had the pleasure of accompanying our long time friend, Connie, to visit her old neighbours and friends. We are already looking forward to the next time.