Gemma's Legacy of Hope

05/04/2026

We were devastated to hear of the sudden passing of our dear friend Paddy on Wednesday last . Paddy was not just a dear friend , he was an inspiration to everyone he met and a kind , caring , sincere man .

Paddy’s adventures Ducking and Driving around Ireland helped by his good friend Elaine Barney raised huge sums of money for lots of charities this past few years . Never thinking on himself he always wanted to help others , and this he done with pride in our local community by raising well in excess of €100,000 for Gemma’s legacy of Hope . This money has funded our counselling service for almost 2 years and in turn helped so many people in this community to get the help they needed to turn their lives around and give them hope for the future .

“ ONE IN A MILLION “ is what Paddy was , and as his final journey from the mainland to Arranmore is on the 4.30 pm ferry tomorrow , we would love as many people as possible to form “ A GUARD OF HONOUR AT THE PIER IN BURTONPORT AT 4.10 pm AND GIVE PADDY THE SEND OFF HE SO RICHLY DESERVES AS HE SAILS FROM BURTONPORT TO ARRANMORE FOR THE VERY LAST TIME . 🥲🥲💔💔

Sincere condolences to Shaun , Sinead , Dermot and all his grandchildren and wide family circle .
Rest in eternal peace Paddy you will be so sorely missed by us all 🙏🙏😢😢💔💔

04/04/2026

Thanks so much to Niki Po***ck, and Bridge Inn Dungloe for organising this music marathon on Easter Monday . Should be a great day of music and craic . Well done everyone . 👏👏❤️

🎶✨Join us for a special afternoon of music ✨🎶

📅 EASTER Monday, April 6th
⏰ 3PM
📍 Bridge Inn Bar, Dungloe

We’re bringing together an incredible lineup of local talent for a meaningful cause 💛

All proceeds will go towards supporting vital services in our community.🫶

🎤 Featuring:
Inner Light • Danny O’Donnell • Niki Po***ck • Finlay Thompson • Paddy Walsh • Hecklers • None The Wiser • Robert Sheilds • Roxy & The Corner Boys
…and more to be announced!

Let’s come together, enjoy great music, and make a difference 🙌

30/03/2026

Thanks so much to Justin , Catherine , Roisin , Emer and all the staff and management at the Waterfront Hotel Dungloe, for the fabulous event held on 16-17th March . To everyone who turned up and cycled , ran and rowed on the machines for 24 hrs non stop and to everyone who dropped in for a cuppa and to support the participants , super well done 👏👏❤️❤️. To Pobalscoil na Rosann for supplying the machines for the event 👏👏❤️, To the hotel for putting on teas, coffees , sandwiches and treats for the kids 👏👏❤️, A total of €1295.35 was donated both online and in the person . From us all at Gemma’s Legacy of Hope thanks so much to everyone involved . 👏👏❤️❤️🙏🙏

22/03/2026

Thanks so so much to Patsy, and Liz Hanlon and their daughter Áine who called to see us last weekend and presented €1754.00 to Aaron and Kayla . 👏👏❤️❤️

Patsy done a 50/50 fundraiser for his 70th birthday which the winner received €900.00 and GLOH received €900.00 . And also at the birthday celebrations in Owenie’s bar recently there was raffles and draws done that raised another €854.00 .

Thanks so much to you all for your kind and generous support to our local counselling service and for coming to see our premises in Dungloe. It was a pleasure to show you around and give an insight in to all the great work being done by our counselling staff .
Well done everyone 👏👏❤️❤️🙏🙏

17/03/2026

Fantastic event organised by Waterfront Hotel Dungloe, well done to everyone who took part so far . 👏👏, still just over 4 hours to go so come and support them all , and have a turn on the treadmill and bikes and rowing machine .
There’s teas coffees and treats and juice and sweets for the kids too .

People have turned up from 2pm yesterday and kept the machines going right through the night , with plenty of laughter , craic and banter too . Join them for the grand finale between 1 pm and 2 pm today . What a lovely kind supportive community we live in ❤️❤️👏👏,
Well done everyone . 🙏🙏

15/03/2026

Thanks so much to Hugh Mc Laughlin for helping design and then make these 2 lovely pieces for our children’s play therapy room .
A compact cabinet containing the feelings wheel allows the children to express themselves and how they feel to our therapists and when the door is closed it will double over as a blackboard for the kids to write and draw pictures on .

Also a lovely set of shelves was made to hold all the different types of animals that the kids love identifying and then playing with and talking about . A great addition to our kids room , and a massive thanks to our 2 therapists who do an amazing job with the kids ❤️❤️

Hugh also runs his own
Car safety and diy courses around Donegal and beyond where students and participants learn the basic safety aspects of car maintenance and road safety , and also learn to do their own small diy jobs around the home . Well done Hugh , thanks so much and continued success to you in your business . 👏👏

13/03/2026

Jonathan Stewart and his daughter Anna from Jaar Coffee called to see us at our counselling premises in Dungloe earlier in the week. Here we have Anna presenting Kayla & Aaron with a cheque for €400.00 , the proceeds from the car treasure hunt they held on the St Brigid’s long weekend .

Thanks so so much to you both for your kind donation and for your continued support to GLOH 👏👏❤️❤️and also to everyone who participated and helped Jonathan with his fundraiser that weekend . We are truly grateful for all your kindness ❤️❤️🙏🙏.

07/03/2026

Thanks so much to all the management and staff of the Waterfront Hotel Dungloe for this lovely initiative bringing people together on the 16th - 17th March . Come join them individually or as a group and do a few minutes on the treadmills or bikes for Mental Health supports in our community . Well done everyone 👏👏❤️❤️

Two Treadmills. Two Exercise Bikes. 24 Hours.

On 16th & 17th March 2026, we’ll be taking on a 24-hour Miles for Minds challenge at The Waterfront Hotel in aid of Gemma's Legacy of Hope a counselling service in Dungloe.

Starting at 2pm on Monday and continuing right through to 2pm on St Patrick’s Day, participants will run, walk or cycle, making sure the treadmills and bikes don’t stop.

This isn’t a race. It’s endurance. It’s support. It’s community.

We’re calling all individuals, running groups and cycling groups of all abilities to help us make these 24 hours really count so we can achieve our goal of raising much needed funds for a cause that is close to many people’s hearts in our local community.

So if you or anyone you know would like to get involved, contact reception on +353 (74) 952 2444 and tag/share this with anyone who is able to support us in anyway.

01/02/2026

Thanks so so much to Paddy Frank Gallagher and all his family who recently presented Aaron and Kayla with a cheque for €3605.00 , this was part of the proceeds from the calendar they made in Memory of Paddy’s late wife Maria showing all the beautiful pictures and photography she loved doing and sharing with the wider community over the years . 👏👏❤️❤️

A Faboulous way to remember a lovely kind and friendly lady who always had a smile and time for a chat with everyone she met . Paddy’s family also donated €3605.00 to the Donegal Hospice, 👏👏❤️ thanks so much to everyone who supported Paddy with this lovely idea , and remembering Maria in what she loved doing the most 👏👏❤️❤️🙏🙏 . Well done everyone .

14/01/2026

A huge thank you to AnnMarie and Grace Ann from Playmatters and all their amazing volunteers who held a fun filled day of messy play and arts and crafts at Teach Biddy during last summer’s Mary from Dungloe Festival .

Here we have Helen Farrell from the Playmatters committee presenting Kayla with €361.00 , The proceeds of their fundraiser that day . Thanks so much to everyone who donated and supported the girls on what is a great day for the kids 👏👏

Helen is also on our Gemma’s legacy matter committee where both organisations have joined together to support families and individuals in our local area .

Playmatters meet weekly in the summer at Teach Biddy on the River Walk for outdoor messy play, and continue indoors at the CDP on Chapel Road during winter.
Their Toy Library also runs from the Gemma’s Legacy of Hope house every Monday 10–12 and one Saturday a month — borrow toys like books and help reduce plastic waste ♻️
Affordable memberships available. Follow Donegal Playmatters Toy Library on Instagram & Facebook .

Well done to everyone involved in continuing these great events and activities for all the family 👏👏❤️❤️🙏

01/01/2026

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/GemmasLegacyOfHopeNewYearDip2026 💚

A lovely turnout at Keadue block yard beach today for our 6th Annual New Year’s Day plunge . Thanks so much to everyone who braved the cold and also to all who came to support them 👏👏❤️.

€260 was donated at the beach today and also over €400 being donated online . Well done and thanks so much to everyone 👏👏🙏.

To everyone who helped out at the beach and throughout the year , thanks so so much ❤️❤️

Special thanks to Leanne Sharkey and Neily Sharkey, who braved the cold all day at the boatstrand Carrickfinn with their collection bucket and to everyone who contributed, thanks so much . 👏👏❤️

Here is the photos of today’s plunge of all the lads , ladies and kids who braved the cold and blustery conditions at Keadue . Well done everyone and Happy new year to you all 👏👏💚🎊🥳🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️