Rainbows Ireland

14/06/2026

Rainbows Ireland | Impact Story: Building Support Where It’s Needed Most
Across Castlebar (Co Mayo), Leixlip (Co. Kildare), Galway City, and Carlow Town, our long-established Volunteer-Led Rainbows Centres are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people navigating loss, separation, and change. 53 children were supported to engage with Rainbows Group support over a nine-week period between Sept 2025 and April 2026 in these 4 locations with our dedicated volunteer team at hand to support children and parents every step of the way.
Through our small group programmes, young people are finding something incredibly powerful — a safe space to share, to be heard, and to realise they are not alone.
Week by week, we see confidence grow, friendships form, and young people begin to understand and express their feelings in healthy ways. Parents and caregivers tell us how much these supports matter — not just for their children, but for the whole family.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteer facilitators, who bring empathy, commitment, and compassion to every session.
As we look ahead, we are preparing to expand further. Our goal is to have all 7 Volunteer-Led Rainbows Centres active by the end of 2026 (Mullingar, Letterkenny, Kildare Town & An Cheathrú Rua (South Connemara/Galway City), ensuring that more underserved communities can access early-intervention supports for children and young people with the lived experience of grief and loss through parental separation and bereavement.
Because every child deserves support when they need it.
You can find details of our Public Rainbows Centres across the country here: Centre Locations – Rainbows Ireland https://rainbowsireland.ie/centre-locations
Many schools at both primary and secondary level have also voluntarily trained to be Rainbows Centres, so please talk with your school about local supports through Rainbows Ireland.

11/06/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Katie Hefferon and all the community in Belmullet, Erris, Co Mayo for supporting this amazing fundraiser.
This remarkable achievement went far beyond expectations, with a 5K completed every day throughout May—an inspiring challenge that brought so many people together. From taking part in 5Ks and doing kick-ups, to sharing the fundraiser and helping raise awareness, the support has been truly uplifting.
The month concluded with a very special climb of the Stairway to Heaven, Co Fermanagh, alongside Ryan’s mum Marian and family, marking what would have been Ryan's 30th birthday and celebrating his memory in such a meaningful way.
We are deeply thankful for the kindness, encouragement, and dedication shown throughout this journey. Your support not only raises vital funds but also helps us continue providing essential support to children and young people during difficult times both nationally and in Belmullet through the local Family Resource Centre, Erris Family & Community Support Centre with Leanne Barrett.
Thank you for giving back in such a powerful and heartfelt way 💛
Read more about Rainbows Ireland www.rainbowsireland.ie

09/06/2026

Ballyfermot D10 Bereavement hub....children meeting others in a group with similar loss and change experiences can be comforting and supportive, helping them to feel less alone

These groups offer a safe, supportive space for children and young people experiencing grief due to bereavement, parental separation, or family breakdown. Ring Ashley on 0874914259 for more information.

08/06/2026

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/twin-fashion-icons-from-laois-shortlisted-for-miss-universe-ireland-final-2026-8648630

Rainbows Ireland are delighted to support Dawn and Davinia Knight and thank them both for choosing Rainbows Ireland for as their Charity to support.

Portarlington twins to use their platform to raise funds for bereavement charity

08/06/2026

Support for Children & Young People Bereaved by Su***de
Rainbows Ireland is inviting children and young people to take part in Rainbows Bereavement Groups this Autumn 2026.
These groups are available in 18 designated Rainbows Centres nationwide, where facilitators have received additional awareness training to support children who have experienced bereavement by su***de within their family.
This initiative is part of an important research collaboration with the National Su***de Research Foundation, focused on identifying and developing supports that truly meet the needs of young people with this lived experience.
By taking part, children and families will:
Access gentle, peer-based bereavement support
Be supported by trained Rainbows Facilitators
Contribute to shaping future supports for other children and families
All participation is handled with care, sensitivity and respect.
If your child or a young person you know may benefit, we encourage you to connect with your local Rainbows Centre to learn more or Rainbows National Office [email protected]
No child should feel alone in their grief.

Find your local Rainbows Centre here for all Rainbows Bereavement and Parental Separation Groups: Public Centres – Rainbows Ireland - https://rainbowsireland.ie/centre-locations/public-based-centres
Ask your school if they are a Rainbows Registered Centre

05/06/2026

Meeting others who have experienced grief and loss can help.

It can be very comforting to meet others and realise ypu are not alone or the only one .
Go gently .....

28/05/2026

Exciting News at Rainbows Ireland
We are absolutely delighted to share that Dawn and Davinia Knight, who are representing Ireland in Miss Universe Ireland 2026, have chosen Rainbows Ireland as their charity of choice.
Their support is deeply meaningful. As young children, Dawn and Davinia attended a Rainbows peer support group after the loss of their father. Today, they are courageously sharing their story to help raise awareness of the importance of early intervention support for children experiencing grief and loss.
In their own words:
"You don’t have to go through difficult times alone."
Their journey is truly inspiring — not only do they remember the impact Rainbows had on their lives, but they have remained connected with others who attended their group, a testament to the lasting power of peer support.
As Rainbows Ireland approaches 40 years of supporting children and young people, we are incredibly grateful for their advocacy. Their support will help us reach more children living with bereavement and parental separation, ensuring they have a safe space to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Please join us in wishing Dawn and Davinia every success on their Miss Universe journey on June 20th

18/05/2026

Celebrating the Heart of Rainbows Ireland – Our Volunteers
This National Volunteers Week, we take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible people who make Rainbows Ireland what it is today — our volunteers.
From those in retirement who continue to give their time, wisdom and care to children and young people in Rainbows groups across the country, to frontline staff in schools, Family Resource Centres and community services who take on additional responsibility by becoming Rainbows Facilitators — your commitment is extraordinary. You ensure that children in your communities have a safe space to be heard, understood and supported.
Our volunteers are the backbone of Rainbows Ireland — including our Board of Trustees, our professional training team, and the many facilitators in Rainbows Registered Centres nationwide. Without your dedication, we simply would not be able to offer the level of support we do today.
The value of your contribution is immense. In fact, the volunteer hours delivered through our directly managed centres in Kildare, Mayo, Galway and Carlow, along with our professional training team, represent at least €80,000 in additional funding that would otherwise be needed. But your impact goes far beyond numbers — you bring empathy, consistency and hope to children navigating very difficult times.
For over 40 years, we have witnessed the quiet strength, generosity and compassion that define our volunteers. You step forward, not for recognition, but because you care deeply about making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue this journey — including reopening our volunteer-led centres in Mullingar, Letterkenny and Kildare this coming autumn.
To every current, new and retired volunteer: thank you. Your kindness, commitment and belief in the importance of this work continue to shape Rainbows Ireland and the lives of the children we support.
Together, we are making a difference — one child, one conversation, one connection at a time.


Read more about Rainbows Ireland: https://rainbowsireland.ie/

13/05/2026

Rainbows Ireland are delighted to support the work of Dublin South and Dublin North Bereavement Networks. Please find details of this hybrid event on the link below: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/living-with-grief-a-bereavement-information-evening-hybrid-tickets-1988486993125?aff=Facebook

08/05/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX4hbp4DZDW/?igsh=MW53ODB2dmhraDFkNw==