Kildare campaigner Aubrey McCarthy reveals what fuels his drive to help others

Aubrey McCarthy reveals that his difficult upbringing drove him to do everything he could to help those less fortunate in society. He talks to Paul O'Meara.

Having experienced a dysfunctional childhood, Naas businessman Aubrey McCarthy’s experiences instilled in him a passion for combating poverty and marginalisation experienced by those who have been affected by violence, addiction, homelessness or those who have fled their homes due to war.

He is the founder and chairman of Tiglin - a charity which runs a network of centres for people living with addiction or poverty.
Aubrey recalls his teenage years when his father left the household and he and his brother had to raise their own funds just to put food on the table.

He explains: “I started to advertise “removals” transport for people moving house. My first customer was a lottery winner. I hired a coal truck and began hiring it out to do the move. I still get shivers when I think of it.
“I also started to buy silver plate and sell it to the public. From there I grew a transport business and a furniture business. AMC REMOVALS and The Elms Furniture.

“When I started to do well I decided to see if I could make a difference in the lives of those who needed help - as I mentioned above - when I was young - I kept waiting for someone to show up to help but they never did.

“That’s when I decided I have to do something. I know what it’s like to be in the shadows. I remember being in church and we were all singing “rescue the perishing, care for the dying etc” and I looked around and thought we are all too safe within these church walls and in order to impact the community, we need to go outside and meet those that were in trouble.

“After that, I started volunteering in the “Salvation Army Homeless Shelter” on O’ Connell Street and met the most amazing ordinary people who happened to have had “their participation in life disrupted “because of addiction and chaos.

“I then bought a big green bus, had it converted into a restaurant, got a bus licence and then got permission to park under Clerys Clock each weekday evening from 7-10pm to try and meet the needs of the ,ostensibly vulnerable.

“We called it the “No Bucks” Cafe and it had “funky vibes” with beautiful purple leather couches and chrome tables. We had live music and gave out hot meals, toiletries, sleeping bags etc.

“The result was that the homeless started to come and connect with us and after two years, most of my volunteers were people that I had met on the streets and were now sober, in housing, in jobs, and wanting to give back. We became a small army and that sowed the seed for a bigger work.

Aubrey also recalls going to the AIB in 2008 to obtain a 110% mortgage to purchase the “National Mountaineering Centre” called Tiglin in the Wicklow Mountains.

He explained: “Well 16 years later we now have seven similar centres providing homeless outreach care, addiction rehabilitation for men and women, transitional housing for men and women, social enterprises to get people back to work, educational programmes with SETU, and a new facility in Naas to combat Youth Homelessness (in association with Homeless Care).”

Today, Aubrey still runs AMC Transport company and has a restaurant and furniture store on the old family farm at Punchestown.

He is also Voluntary Chair of Tiglin, Chair of the SURF (Substance Use Regional Forum), Chair of Dublin Christian Mission), Chair of Tivoli Training Centre, and board member of the Casadh CE scheme.

He added: “I am a busy man but I love it and I am passionate about believing in people and giving them an opportunity to believe in themselves.

“As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said ‘We need to stop just pulling people out of the river, we need to go upstream and find out where they are falling in.’”

In the last two years, Aubrey has been recognised for his charity and achievements. He was honoured with the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year 2024, the 2023 Trinity College Alumnus of the Year, the RDS Life Honorary Membership and the Rehab Advocate of the year.

Aubrey says: “These awards show the impact that the amazing team behind me are having on broader society.

“Tiglin has now become one of the leading rehabilitation and homeless charities in Ireland impacting thousands of lives and making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.”

Aubrey says that he doesn’t take myself himself too seriously and has a “mad sense of humour.”

He explained: “When people offer me praise for my accomplishments, I try not to take it too seriously because I know at the end of the day I only achieve what I do because of the amazing team that I have.

“Also I think people see me on TV or on the News and think I am a serious person. I have a mad sense of humour and I try and take everything lightly quietly optimistic knowing God is in control.”

Aubrey believes that the key to enjoying working life is finding purpose in what you do.

He says: “When your work reflects your values, strengths, and interests, it feels more meaningful and fulfilling.

“I think it’s also essential to try and maintain a healthy work-life balance, build positive relationships and continuously educate yourself.”