Cairde Le Cheile CLG

Dear Service Users, Families, and Friends,

A warm hello from everyone at Cairde Le Cheile

Each year, we host a completely FREE Christmas Event — created especially for children and adults with disabilities and their families to enjoy together.

We are so grateful to SITA, who in 2024 kindly donated and volunteered their time to help us get this wonderful event off the ground — thank you!

This year will be just as special, with:

Visit with Santa — every guest receives a personal gift

Free hot chocolate & refreshments in the Vestry Café

Festive music, dancing & fun for everyone!

This day is all about making sure every person feels celebrated, included, and cherished — no cost, no stress, no one left out.

How YOU can help

To keep this day 100% free for all who attend, we’re reaching out to our wonderful community for support. If you can, please consider donating — any amount makes a real difference!

Donation details:

Online: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/taraghquinlivan

Bank: Cairde Le Cheile CLG

IBAN: IE62 AIBK 9373 4788 8882 55

BIC: AIBKIE2D

Cash / Cheque: drop into our office or give to any team member

Call us: 074 91 20123

Everyone is always welcome — your place is guaranteed!

Can’t donate? That’s perfectly okay!

You can still help by:

Sharing this message with friends & family

Letting us know if you know a local business who might support us

Thank you so much for being part of our community. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all!

Warmly,

— Team Cairde Le Cheile

Charity Reg: 20058982

A massive thank you to Patrick Quinlivan!

Patrick was a man on a mission — so hard to pin down for a photo, but we are absolutely delighted to share the wonderful news: Patrick raised an incredible €2,584 for Cairde le Cheile by bravely completing 15 dips back in February 2026!

This amazing contribution went directly toward the refurbishment of our bright, welcoming new space right here at Cairde le Cheile — alongside funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

That space is now thriving! It’s now home to After School and play sessions, and it’s loved and used every single day.

The space is available to hire at certain times — if you’d like to know more, please contact our office on 074 91 20123.

From all of us here — thank you, Patrick! Your kindness and determination have made such a real difference to our whole community.

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, on a visit to Cairde le Cheile in The Vestry on St. Conal’s Campus, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Jerry Buttimer

We were delighted to welcome Minister Jerry Buttimer Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to our facility here at Cairde Le Cheile clg on Friday 4th September 2026.

The Minister was given a full tour of our building, where he had the opportunity to meet with members of our Board and speak directly with our service users. It was a wonderful chance to showcase our work, hear about the experiences of the people we support, and discuss the needs of our community.

We greatly appreciated the Minister taking the time to visit, meet our team and members, and see first-hand what we do here in Donegal. Thank you to Minister Buttimer and his team for a very positive and productive visit!

Our Story

Cairde Le Cheile was established in 2003, inspired by the spirit and success of the Special Olympics. Recognising the need for long-term services and support for people with disabilities in County Donegal, local families and volunteers came together to form an organisation that would continue the momentum long after the Games had ended.

Situated in St. Conal’s Hospital Campus, beside the beautiful Bernard McGlinchey Town Park, our centre has become a permanent base for programmes, activities, and initiatives that bring people together.

Empowering People, Enriching Futures

Meet the dedicated individuals driving our mission forward.

Jimmy Kavanagh

Board Member

Jimmy Kavanagh is a dedicated board member at Cairde Le Cheile clg. Bringing 17 years of experience as an elected Town and County Councillor and 40 years experience in the HSE to support our mission by creating a community where people with disabilities, vulnerable young people and senior citizens are supported, celebrated, and empowered to live full and meaningful lives.

Damien McKay

Chairperson

Damien McKay, Chairperson, is a dedicated board member at Cairde Le Cheile clg. Damien brings over 20 years’ experience as a Business Owner & Chartered Civil Engineer. He has a passion for creating, developing, and improving a living environment for everyone. This is aligned with and supports our mission in creating a community where people with disabilities, vulnerable young people and senior citizens are supported, celebrated, and empowered to live full and meaningful lives.

Alan Dolan

Treasurer

Alan is a dedicated board member at Cairde Le Cheile clg. Bringing 30 years of experience in finance & management to support our mission by creating a community where people with disabilities, vulnerable young people and senior citizens are supported, celebrated, and empowered to live full and meaningful lives.

Taragh Quinlivan

Facilities Manager

Taragh Quinlivan has been Facility Manager at Cairde Le Cheile CLG since 2023. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Law and experience as a Coordinator for road traffic offenders, she combines skills and compassion in her role.

Seamus Campell

Board Member

Seamus Campbell, a board member at Cairde Le Cheile CLG, has over 40 years of nursing experience in learning disability services. He is also a Regional Development Officer with Special Olympics Ulster, promoting healthy lifestyles through sports.

Ciaran Harvey

Board Member

Ciarán Harvey, a committed board member at Cairde Le Cheile CLG, brings over 30 years of experience in Finance, IT, organizational development, and leadership.

Mick Quinlivan

Board Member

Mick Quinlivan, retired Gardaí and founder of Cairde Le Cheile CLG is a dedicated board
member. Bringing 30+ years of experience working within the community and supporting
vulnerable people with learning disability.

Rosaleen Gallagher

Project Co Ordinator

Focused on delivering tailored support and creative solutions.