Jim Dennehy's Story

Tara Mullally's speech on occasion of the 50th anniversary of Irish Guide Dogs

9 September 2026

Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork

Good evening everyone, Lord Mayor, Chairman, distinguished guests.

For those of you who don’t me, my name is Tara, daughter of our co-founder and President Jim Dennehy. My parents as they like to say, have many miles on the clock so they have entrusted tonight’s speech to me.

In 1968, my Dad lost his sight in an accident and was brought by ambulance to the Bons Secours hospital on the College Road where my Mum was recovering after giving birth to me only a couple of days previously. The owner of a growing thriving motor dealership, a rugby player who had earlier that year won his second Munster Senior cup medal; instantly changing his life.

Dad was advised by a doctor that he could be of great help to his wife in their home. This incentivised him to find a way to achieve independent mobility.

Dad spent many months in the UK afterwards where he learnt among many things (including reading braille and basket weaving of all things!) He trained to use a white cane, that cane is now residing in the Cork headquarters. Before leaving the rehabilitation centre, he had the opportunity to visit the Guide Dog Training Centre in nearby Exeter. Dad was so impressed, he signed the application to formally apply for a dog. The following year he was called for Guide Dog training and pledged upon returning home that he would move heaven and earth to establish a training centre in his own country. The acorn was planted.

Dad’s first Guide Dog was a white Alsatian as they were called at the time named Vanessa. People used to cross the road when they saw her because she looked like a wolf. One person commented that Jim Dennehy had acquired an English accent after only spending a few weeks training with Vanessa in the UK on account of learning that when he said forward in a Cork accent nothing happened. However, saying it (using English accent here) “Forward” did the trick!

Upon Vanessa’s retirement, Dad returned to the UK with Ivan, a donkey of a labrador who unfortunately developed epilepsy and died young. Not before he ate the entire washing line and the rubber from my beloved roller skates!

Guide dog number 3 was Granby, ¾ lab, ¼ retriever. A highly intelligent dog who was without a doubt the best Guide dog Dad had. There was an occasion one summer’s day when we were out in the back garden and a sudden wind knocked the parasol out of the sand bucket it was standing in. Granby ran to the shed and came back with a trowel in his jaws! I kid ye not. I was probably 10 or 11 at that stage and Granby was my best friend, my confidante.

Meanwhile Dad was working full time in Dennehy's Cross garage, walking to work every morning, returning for lunch which was a three course meal. Back to work at 2 and home again at 6, only to continue working on in the evening, fulfilling the dream, growing that acorn.

The challenges were huge. But those of you who know my Dad know that he doesn’t give up easily. Grit, determination, charisma being words used often.

Upon meeting Mrs Dunlop, or Mrs D as she was known, the two worked tirelessly to realise the dream. Mrs D had the knowledge of dog training and Dad had the business brain.

The turning point probably came when they purchased a three acre site on the Model Farm Road, and trained their first two Guide Dogs.

Fundraising was a constant challenge. The family were of huge support. My maternal grandparents even shook buckets in Patrick Street.

Mum and I used to collect the men and women on residential training courses in the Centre and bring them to and from mass on Sundays.

We had many milestones and we met with many dignitaries, including former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald, Enda Kenny, current Taoiseach Michael Martin, back when he was Lord Mayor of Cork, who was a great supporter. We welcomed President Michael D Higgins and his wife, King Charles and Queen Camila to our headquarters, but I guess the biggest buzz has always been Roy Keane.

All four of my sons fundraised in their primary school, Gaelscoil Ui Riordain in Ballincollig, and it was my third son Colin, who is here tonight, who raised the most and the prize was a visit to the school by Roy where he officially opened their new astro turf.

I was puppy raising at that time too. I fully puppy raised three dogs in total and temporary boarded many others. No easy task I can assure you, particularly while raising a family and keeping a job going. Our first puppy, Hannah didn’t make the grade so she became our first family dog living to the grand age of 15. That dog endured two new human arrivals and countless guide dog puppies with us with the patience of a saint!

On this the occasion of our Association’s fiftieth anniversary, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those wonderful volunteers and the staff both past and present who have contributed so generously and have worked so diligently for the last 50 years to make the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind the hugely successful organisation which it is today. There were some difficult times, times when paying the staff seemed almost an impossibility until an unexpected bequest saved us.

In 2018, my Dad was conferred with an honorary doctorate by UCC. I and all our family couldn't have been prouder.

Congratulations to all at IGDB and here's to the next 50!

From tiny acorns, huge oak trees blossom.