Willie Bermingham

Who was Willie Bermingham?

Dr Willie Bermingham was an Irish firefighter and campaigner, who founded A.L.O.N.E., an organization highlighting the plight of old people living alone.

Bermingham was born in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, and grew up with his family in The Puc, Inchicore, before moving to The Nurseries in Bluebell where the family had a scrap yard. Willie's father Bill and mother Mary reared a family of 3 boys and 4 girls. Willie went to school in Goldenbridge of Inchicore, and loved one of his teachers, Sister Jarlath, in particular, maintaining contact with her until his death.

In 1964, Willie joined Dublin Fire Brigade, who also covered the Emergency Ambulance Service. He served with them until his death. In 1972 he married Mary Kelly, a Roscommon woman whose family had moved to Chapelizod and later Lucan. They spent their 18 years of marriage living in Bluebell where they reared 2 daughters and 3 sons.

In 1977, Willie founded ALONE, an organization highlighting the plight of old forgotten individuals, living in squalid neglect in Dublin. This was after he had found several people dead in appalling conditions through his work as a firefighter. He worked on a voluntary basis whilst still holding down his job in Dublin Fire Brigade. Many colleagues came on board as volunteers, and as news spread of the work, the organization grew. Whilst it became a relatively large organization, the focus on people as individuals never changed. The operation was run from the family home in Bluebell where the children took part as soon as their homework was completed. The office only moved from the sitting room after he died.