About Us
Our Story
Aoibhneas began in 1986, when local women on a FÁS Community Development course recognised the urgent need for a refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence. Their experience in Rathmines Refuge, then Dublin’s only refuge, highlighted the barriers families faced when seeking safety.
In 1987, the Ballymun Women’s Refuge Group secured a three‑bedroom flat from Dublin Corporation and FÁS support for staffing. The flat opened in January 1988 as an overnight crisis centre offering counselling, support, legal information, emergency accommodation, and referrals. Aoibhneas was formally established later that year.
Demand grew quickly. In 1991, Aoibhneas received Approved Status under the Department of the Environment Voluntary Housing Scheme and expanded into a neighbouring flat for second‑stage housing. President Mary Robinson officially opened this extension in December 1991.
Plans for a purpose‑built refuge were approved in 1994, and in 1997 Aoibhneas opened a new centre in Coolock for ten families, significantly increasing capacity for those fleeing abuse.
Aoibhneas today
What began as a small refuge more than 40 years ago has grown into a comprehensive, wraparound service supporting women and children at every stage of their experience of domestic abuse.
Today, Aoibhneas provides a full continuum of care, from crisis to recovery, ensuring families can access the support they need when they need it most.
Our services now include refuge accommodation, a drop‑in service, 27/7 helpline, child and youth support, court preparation and accompaniment, community and outreach support, as well as education and training programmes. Together, these interventions offer safety, guidance, and long‑term support for families rebuilding their lives after abuse.
Our Mission
To challenge and eliminate all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV), including intergenerational abuse, through education, awareness, and advocacy.
We aim to empower women and children to live in safety and freedom from domestic abuse through the delivery of therapeutic and crisis supports and the expansion of intervention-based accommodation and community services.
Our Values
Compassionate
Our work is person centred and built on the fundamental human rights of our service users. We centre every person’s rights and experiences, responding with kindness, understanding, and genuine care. We support one another as colleagues so we can stay connected and resilient while working with trauma.
Empowering
We help service users heal, regain confidence, and reclaim control of their lives and rights, including the right to freedom from abuse. At every level across the organisation, we create opportunities for meaningful involvement and shared decision‑making.
Empathetic
We offer space and time for people to express their feelings and respond with understanding and without judgement. We listen actively and foster compassion in all areas of our work, encouraging genuine perspective and compassion.
Respectful
We treat every person with courtesy, respect, and dignity, working at their pace and recognising their unique strengths. Within our team, we promote respect, show appreciation, value diverse perspectives, and take concerns seriously.
Courageous
We have honest, courageous, supportive conversations with service users, staff, policy makers, and stakeholders to spark change. We lead with courage in our sector, innovating, stepping into new areas, and taking action when needed.
Trustworthy
We work hard to build and maintain trust through honesty, accountability, and transparent communication with service users, staff, and partners.
Learning
We learn from the experiences and feedback of those we support and use this to improve our work. We stay informed about best practice and apply new knowledge to strengthen our services.
Ambitious
