Minister hails work of Cong’s Daisy Lodge
Minister Donnelly chatting with Rachel and Jessica O’Malley during his visit to Cong last Friday. Picture: Trish Forde
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was in Cong last Friday to visit the site of the planned Daisy Lodge - a centre for children and families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
The €15m needed for the project was raised through public fundraising as well as a contribution of €7.5m from the Government (€5m from the Department of Health combined with €2.5m from the Shared Island Fund).
The therapeutic short break centre will be the second on the island of Ireland, the first being in Newcastle in County Down, and will be run by Cancer Fund for Children (CFFC).
The building of Daisy Lodge will commence this summer and it is hoped that the new centre will open its doors in January 2026.
During his visit, Minister Donnelly met the O’Malley family, including three-year-old Darragh O’Malley, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Darragh was presented with a birthday cake while Minister Donnelly orchestrated a “Happy Birthday” chorus before he sat down to indulge in some of the cake with Darragh’s two sisters, including seven-year-old Rachel O’Malley who raised €1,500 for her younger brother.
“I think this is Ireland at its very best,” the Minister for Health told the . “It’s an all-island initiative which is fantastic and it’s a partnership between Daisy Lodge, the HSE and the community.
“It is genuinely good for the soul to see what a wonderful thing they are doing here for the children who have cancer, for their parents and for their amazing brothers and sisters.”
Minister Donnelly received flowers from young Rachel before the family, CCFC members and local councillors joined him for a photo opportunity.
“Places like Daisy Lodge are motivated first and foremost by love and compassion,” Minister Donnelly remarked. “To be able to come to somewhere like Daisy Lodge can put the stresses and strains of life out of your head for a few days - it’s wonderful to see and it makes a huge difference.”
Also in attendance was the CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander, and the chairperson of the charity's board, Peter O’Brien.
“We are excited for the build - we have the site cleared and the initial groundworks done so we are now ready to fully develop this magical space,” Mr Alexander said. “Life changes when an illness comes into a family’s life. They travel for treatment, often to Dublin, and they are exhausted, so it is important that we do something to help. This project creates a safe space for children.”
Mr O'Brien thanked Irish sports stars Rory Best and Rory McIlroy who have supported the Daisy Lodge programme through the years.
“It’s fantastic to see the support we have received,” he said. “Rory [Best] sits on the board and he is one of our trustees. He said that he got the opportunity to be the captain of Ireland then he wants to give something back to the country.
“When he walked from the Aviva Stadium to Cong [in 2023], he specifically asked to walk via Limerick as he wanted the whole of Ireland to get on board.
“It is a fantastic island of Ireland charity and a great example of working together.”
