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The County Wicklow Association for the Mentally Handicapped Limited (The Association) was formed in 1970 by a small group of friends and families of children with intellectual disabilities. It was based in the Newcastle County Wicklow area. Similar groups were later formed in Arklow, Rathdrum, Greystones, Bray, Wicklow and Tinahely. Notable people involved at the time were Mrs. George O’Toole, Mrs. Clancy, Mrs. Cooney Jennings, Canon Fraser, Mrs. Doherty, Mrs. Stella Cooney, Rev. Robert Jennings and Mrs. Marie Brassington. Originally, they established a virtual child-minding service for one morning per week to allow the parents of these children have a few hours for relaxation or shopping. This developed into a minimal service for about ten children. The Association became a Registered Charity after a few years, and succeeded in acquiring the use of one room in The Nurses Home attached to Newcastle Hospital. As the service grew, the Association became a Company (limited by guarantee with no share holdings). It is now managed by fifteen Directors who are nominated by the various groups and parents at the Annual General Meetings. The Directors have delegated the day to day responsibility for the running of the Association to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. On Wednesday the 13th of October 2004 the company name changed from 'County Wicklow Association For The Mentally Handicapped Limited' to 'St Catherine’s Association Limited'.