Dundalk-based community addiction service Turas celebrates 20th anniversary with tree-planing ceremony

Turas, the Dundalk-based community addiction service, said it is proud to mark 20 years of supporting individuals on their journey to recovery.

Since its founding in 2005, Turas has worked with over 6,000 people in Dundalk and the surrounding areas, helping them overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

Manager Nicki Jordan said: “What began as a small, local initiative has grown into a dedicated team of 20 staff and volunteers.

“Today, Turas offers a wide range of programmes designed to support individuals at every stage of recovery.

“At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful mission: to provide a warm, trustworthy, and non-judgmental environment where people feel safe, understood, and heard.

READ NEXT: PHOTOS: Louth sports star Kate O’Connor visits CBS Dundalk

“Over the years, we’ve faced our share of challenges—particularly in securing sustainable funding and finding a larger space to accommodate our growing range of supports.

“Unfortunately, as is the case across the country, demand for addiction support continues to rise. We now receive an average of three new referrals every day, yet our funding has remained stagnant since 2008.

“Nationally there is a 30% increase in the number of people being treated for addiction and an increase of 100 people per every 100,000 people in Louth alone (HRB, 2025).

“Since 2017, we've have seen a 53% increase in referrals, a doubling in the number of women seeking support, and a 10% rise in alcohol-related addiction overall. Despite these challenges, our team has remained committed and creative in finding ways to meet the needs of our community, she continued.”

To mark this milestone, Turas held a special tree-planting ceremony on last Friday at the Muirhevnamor Community Allotments.

20 native Irish and fruit bearing trees were planted, each one symbolising the thousands of recovery journeys Turas has supported over the past two decades.

Local councillors, community organisations, sponsors, clients and TD’s all attended on the day alongside Turas staff and board members. Ruairi O Murchu TD and Erin McGreehan TD both donated trees for the occasion.

Just like recovery, nature follows its own rhythm—with seasons of growth, challenges, and renewal. These trees will serve as a lasting tribute to resilience, hope, and the power of second chances.

Turas hopes to continue supporting people in Dundalk for at least 20 more years!