Sod turned on new Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Mayo

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary turned the sod today on the Sunflower Children’s Hospice site in Castlebar, marking the start of the first children’s hospice to be built outside Dublin.

The hospice, developed by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, will provide specialist support for children with life‑limiting conditions and their families across the western seaboard. Construction is slated to begin in January 2027, with the facility expected to open to patients in 2029.

Since the plans were unveiled in November 2025, the foundation has raised €9 million of the €20 million required, through community and corporate fundraising, donor support and local initiatives. Fundraising continues to secure the remaining €11 million needed for completion.

Minister Carroll MacNeill highlighted the project’s importance, citing families from Donegal to Limerick who need urgent access to such services. CEO Martina Jennings and Chairman Paul Foxe described the milestone as a significant step toward delivering a dedicated hospice that puts children and families at its heart.

The 36,000 sq ft, state‑of‑the‑art facility will include eight en‑suite bedrooms with private garden or patio access, among other specialist amenities.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ / Pexels.