Cancer Fund for Children, the children’s cancer charity, has announced that construction of Daisy Lodge Mayo – a new therapeutic short break centre for children diagnosed with cancer and their families – will commence in August 2025. Following a public procurement process, the construction contract has been awarded to Connolly & Fee Ltd, with the build expected to take approximately 18 months.

Located on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, Co. Mayo, the purpose-built 30,000 square foot facility will offer families across Ireland a safe, restorative space where they can spend quality time together and receive specialist therapeutic support. Similar to the charity’s existing Daisy Lodge in County Down, the new centre will provide children and their families with short breaks, complementary therapies, nutritious meals, family activities, and the opportunity to connect with others facing childhood cancer.

The total project cost of €20 million will be funded through a combination of public funding and charitable donations. In June 2023, the Department of Health pledged €5 million, with a further €2.5 million from the Shared Island Fund. Thanks to generous contributions from communities, businesses, funders, and donors across Ireland and beyond, the charity is now close to reaching its target. Fundraising continues to help ensure that families can begin accessing services at Daisy Lodge Mayo from early 2027.

This will be a non-clinical, therapeutic facility designed to complement the charity’s successful service at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down. Once operational, it will allow Cancer Fund for Children to more than double its support capacity from 1,800 family members annually to up to 4,000, providing much-needed respite to families throughout Ireland. Children and families will be referred for breaks at Daisy Lodge Mayo by Cancer Fund for Children’s Cancer Support Specialists, who also provide community-based support services across the island in partnership with the Katie Nugent Fund.

The cross-border aspect of this project is key to Cancer Fund for Children’s ethos of inclusive support. The new centre will welcome approximately 70% of families from Ireland and 30% from Northern Ireland, while its existing centre in County Down will continue to welcome 70% from Northern Ireland and 30% from Ireland—offering children and families from across the island a shared experience and community of support.

Site preparation in Cong was completed last year, including clearance under archaeological and ecological supervision, with groundwork laid for a new access road, car park, building footprint, and outdoor play area.

Beyond its therapeutic services, Daisy Lodge Mayo will create a range of new local employment opportunities, with full-time and part-time roles in hospitality, housekeeping, facilities management, administration, and therapeutic support. Cancer Fund for Children is committed to engaging with the local Cong community throughout construction and operation to encourage volunteering, foster shared opportunities, and raise awareness of childhood cancer.

Speaking about the project, Shane Connolly, Director of Connolly & Fee Ltd, said: “Connolly & Fee is delighted to be undertaking the build of Daisy Lodge Mayo. This project holds personal meaning for many on our team, and we are privileged to contribute to a facility that will bring immeasurable benefits to families facing cancer. We look forward to working closely with Cancer Fund for Children, the Cong community, and local suppliers as we deliver this very special building.”

Paul McMahon, Architect and Director at d-on Architects, commented: “The design of Daisy Lodge Mayo is rooted in the healing power of nature and place. The building will blend sensitively into the Mayo landscape, using sustainable natural materials to create calming, biophilic spaces that support wellbeing and recovery.”

Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, said: “Today marks a truly groundbreaking moment as construction begins on our second Daisy Lodge therapeutic centre. This has been made possible thanks to the incredible support of our stakeholders—the Department of Health, HSE, the Shared Island Fund, the Cong community, funders and donors. Together, we’re creating a place where no child faces cancer alone.”

Pictured above: Shane Connolly, Director at Connolly and Fee Ltd, Darren McCormack, Estates Manager at HSE West, Vanessa Matczak, Young Ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children, Paul McMahon, Director and Architect d-on Architects and Peter O’Brien, Chair of the Board at Cancer Fund for Children.

To learn more about Cancer Fund for Children and the Daisy Lodge Mayo project, or to donate, visit www.cancerfundforchildren.com.

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