History of MDI

The Muscular Dystrophy Society of Ireland (MDI) is a voluntary organisation which was founded in 1972 by a group of parents in Galway whose children had muscular dystrophy. These parents met together in their homes to set up a support network for people with muscular dystrophy and their families.

In 1986, the first Dublin office was set up in Monkstown, Co Dublin. MDI then spent time in temporary accommodation for two years at Christchurch Place before acquiring space in the Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups, firstly in Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 in 1990, and then in Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7 in the year 2000.   In 2004, MDI felt it necessary to acquire an independent office space away from Carmichael Centre because of the growth and expansion of services and we moved to our previous offices in 71/72 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.   Here we remained until April 2011 after which we moved in to our new, purpose built premises at 75 Lucan Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 20, which we were fortunate to be able to purchase one year earlier.

MDI has grown considerably and now has a membership of over 760 individuals and families and a network of branches and offices throughout Ireland. Branches are represented on the National Council of MDI, which determines policy.

MDI has developed considerably, and now employs staff nationwide and offers national support services such as Family Support, Information, Respite and Home Support, Transport and Youth Services (i.e. Camps and Youth Clubs) and counselling services.  All of these services are run and coordinated from MDI’s Dublin administration office at Chapelizod, Dublin 20, which also encompasses of a fully wheelchair accessible three bed-roomed “Home from Home” apartment for short term respite breaks for members.

For more information about MDI and any of our services check out the various links on this page or alternatively feel free to contact us.