Down Syndrome Centre Cork

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

Nothing beats the smiles at the finish line. 💙 Thanks Doug for capturing so many special moments as participants crossed into Páirc Uí Chaoimh after 21km of determination and achievement!

15/06/2026

What a day! 💙

A huge thank you to Mick D Photos for capturing so many special moments from Challenge 21 2026. From the runners and walkers to the families, volunteers and supporters, these photos perfectly capture the spirit of the day.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, fundraised, cheered from the sidelines and helped make our biggest Challenge 21 yet such a success!

15/06/2026

A huge thank you to the Johnson Controls team for supporting Challenge 21 and for joining us at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

It was fantastic to have you there and to see members of the team taking part and enjoying the day with family and friends.

We are incredibly grateful for your continued support of the Down Syndrome Centre Cork and we’re delighted to be working together.

Thank you for helping us make a difference for children and young people with Down syndrome across Cork. Johnson Controls

12/06/2026

🎶 The music line-up for Challenge 21 is here! 🎶

Whether you’re walking, jogging, running, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines, there’ll be plenty of entertainment waiting for you at the finish line in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A huge thank you to The Shruggs, Kevin Walsh, Kelvin Long and Optimism for giving their time and helping us make the day amazing.

Challenge 21 is about community, inclusion and having fun together, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone this Sunday.

08/06/2026

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ CHALLENGE 21 THIS SUNDAY 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

We’re looking forward to welcoming hundreds of participants to our Challenge 21 Half Marathon this Sunday as we make our way from Haulbowline to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in support of the Down Syndrome Centre Cork.

A huge thank you to Cork City Marathon for kindly donating a selection of marathon medals for some of the children from our centre. Special thanks to Eamon Hayes, Race Director of Cork City Marathon, who took the time to visit us today and present them.

We’d also like to thank our sponsors, volunteers, supporters and everyone who has signed up, fundraised, donated, shared a post or helped spread the word. Events like this simply wouldn’t be possible without your support.

We’re excited for what promises to be a fantastic day and can’t wait to see everyone on Sunday! 💙❤️

📸 Pictured with Eamon are Cathy Halpin, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Centre Cork, along with Amy and Leah, who loved their medals.

06/06/2026

🧢 Challenge 21 Bobble Hats 🧢

A little sneak peek at this year’s Challenge 21 participant hat! 💙❤️🤍

Everyone taking part in Challenge 21 on 14 June will receive one of these special Down Syndrome Centre Cork bobble hats as part of the event.

We can’t wait to see hundreds of them making their way from Haulbowline to Páirc Uí Chaoimh next weekend!

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to support Down Syndrome Centre Cork. Your support helps us continue providing vital services and supports to children with Down syndrome and their families across Cork.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/challenge-21-half-marathon-2026-tickets-1983994529044

04/06/2026

This Saturday night in Blackrock Hurling Club!

No cover charge, great music, and an amazing raffle in aid of Down Syndrome Centre Cork 💙
Every ticket helps support local children and families.

We’d love your support! 🙌

Bog the Donkey live this Saturday night @9.30pm
No cover charge at the door
Raffle tickets available on the night @€10 each, proceeds to go to The Downs Syndrome Centre Cork, so let's all get our dancing shoes on and support a great charity 💃💃

04/06/2026

🎉 CHALLENGE 21 RAFFLE 🎉

A huge thank you to all of the businesses and individuals who have generously donated prizes to this year’s Challenge 21 raffle.

We know that times are challenging for many businesses, which makes your support all the more appreciated. Every prize donated helps us raise vital funds to support the work of the Down Syndrome Centre Cork and the families we support.

A special thank you to Nora, one of our parents, who once again this year has put in a huge amount of work sourcing prizes and coordinating our raffle. Nora never says no when help is needed and we are incredibly grateful for her continued support, dedication and generosity.

This year, our raffle will be held online, so even if you can’t take part in Challenge 21, you can still support the event and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes.

If you or your business would like to contribute a prize, we’d love to hear from you. Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated.

🎟️ Enter the raffle here:

https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/challenge21halfmarathon2026r

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Challenge 21 and the Down Syndrome Centre Cork.

Best of luck to everyone who enters! 🍀

03/06/2026

We’re delighted to share a first look at the first batch of our new parent information brochures for the Down Syndrome Centre Cork.

These brochures were written from the perspective of parents, shaped by the thoughts, emotions and experiences of families, and by what many parents wish they had heard when receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome for their baby.

We know those first conversations matter. The way a message is delivered, the words used, and the support offered in those early moments can stay with families forever. Our hope is that these brochures will offer reassurance, positivity, hope and connection to parents beginning their journey.

We are hopeful these brochures will begin making their way into the CUMH in early June.

This has very much been a parent-led initiative, and we want to sincerely thank all the parents who contributed feedback, ideas and encouragement to help make this happen. This is only the first batch, and we hope to continue learning, improving and developing these resources over time.

A very special thank you also to Sarah Murphy in the Neonatal Unit at the CUMH for her input, support and encouragement throughout this process. Sarah has always been such a passionate advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and their abilities, and many of our families will know the kindness, compassion and positivity she brings to parents at such an important time.

We are incredibly proud to see this project come to life and hope it brings comfort and support to many families in the future 💙