DCIL Annual General Meeting 2018

This year Annual General Meeting took place in DCIL premises, Ballymacool House, Ballymacool, Letterkenny on Thursday on 24th May 2018. The meeting was chaired by our chairperson Roisin Kavanagh and presentations on all DCIL services, activities and developments were delivered by our DCIL Manager Rosaleen Bradley. Our accounts were presented by DCIL treasurer Martin McIntyre. Guest Speaker on the day was Damien Walsh, who presented to the audience an overview of Dublin CIL activities.

All pictures from AGM are available in the gallery.

DCIL Awards 2017

DCIL Christmas Party and Annual Presenation took place in The Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 14th December 2017. We awarded this years Leader and PA of the Year Awards and also the Appreciation Award. Congratulations to all the winners. They are:
Leader of the Year 2017: Philomena Harkin
PA of the Year 2017: Mary Fisher
Appreciation Award 2017: Tony McNamee

Pictures of all our winners are available in the gallery.

DCIL Summer Garden Party 2017

DCIL have had a party to honour the good work of Staff, Directors, Leaders and especially Personal Assistants throughout Donegal who everyday make such a difference. It was a great day with music and entertainment for all Leaders and PA's, their families and kids. Many thanks to all who came and we look forward to building on the momentum in year's to come.

DCIL Annual General Meeting and Launch of Annual Report 2016

This year Annual General Meeting took place in DCIL premises, Ballymacool House, Ballymacool, Letterkenny on Friday on 30th June 2017. The meeting was chaired by our chairperson Roisin Kavanagh and presentations on all DCIL services, activities and developments were delivered by our DCIL Manager Rosaleen Bradley. Our accounts were presented by DCIL treasurer Martin McIntyre.

DCIL have received a grant from the Workspace Community Fund

We are delighted to announce that Donegal Centre for Independent Living has been selected to receive a grant of € 250.00 from the Workspace Community Fund. The Workspace Group is a social enterprise based in Northern Ireland: www.theworkspacegroup.org. Their enterprise model operates a range of commercial businesses, the surpluses from which are used for community purposes primarily in their local area Draperstown, Northern Ireland

DCIL have received the Tidy Town Awards

Rosaleen Bradley DCIL Manager receiving a "Special Recognitition Award" on behalf of the Donegal Centre for Independent Living for their unique and exceptionally presented premises in "Ballymacool House" by Mayor James Pat McDaid on behalf of the Letterkenny Tidy Towns Cleaner Community Awards. Pictured here are DCIL Members, Donal K O`Boyle, Christopher McBrearty, John Doherty and Emma Hunter (PA), along with other members of the Tidy Towns Committee. The ceremony took place in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Tuesday evening 22nd November 2016 and we are so delighted to have been honoured in this way. We are so very proud of our new premises and would like to praise the good work of Kevin and Eric our Caretakers who take great pride every day in it is upkeep.

DCIL free IT and Technology Training for Leaders and PA’s

A successful introduction to IT and technology was held on Tuesday 17th January 2017 in our training room at Ballymacool House. It was attended by PA’s, Leaders and representatives from other organisations who found it to be an enjoyable and informative day. This event was financially supported by the Workspace Group - (Network Recruitment, Letterkenny).
A word of thanks is due to all involved in making this an enjoyable day.

DCIL Awards 2016

DCIL Christmas Party and Annual Presenation took place in The Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 8th December 2016. We awarded this year Leader and PA of the Year Awards. Congratulations to all the winners. They are:
Leader of the Year: Emily Kennedy
PA of the Year: Mary Jo Gallagher

Pictures of all our winners are available in the gallery.

DCIL Parachute Jump September 2016

Our Skydive took place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd September at Donegal Airport, Kincasslagh. DCIL would like to thank and congratulate all Jumpers who completed their Parachute Jump. This was a unique event with many of our Leaders with disabilities and PAs. For us this also was a fantastic way of highlighting our ethos of empowerment and equality for all.

Pictures of all our parachute jumpers are available in the gallery.

Voodoo Fundraising Night July 2016

Martin Orr & The Honky Tonk Heroes were playing in Voodoo on Sunday evening 31st July 2016. DCIL would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising event, especially those who bought tickets and donated prizes. A special thanks to Martin Orr and The Honky Tonk Heroes for providing the music and entertainment also Voodoo Venue Letterkenny for assisting on the night. All proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets was donated to DCIL.

DCIL Chairperson Roisin Kavanagh during The historic Royal Visit.

On 25th of May 2016, thousands of people all across the county came out to greet the Royal duo as they received a great welcome on their historic visit to Donegal. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Magee Tweed Factory, Donegal Castle and McGettigan Butchers, before departing for Letterkenny. Prince Charles and Camilla were given a civic reception at LYIT by The Donegal County Council. DCIL Chairperson Roisin Kavanagh and Marian O Donnell took part at this reception. The Duchess also visited Ballyraine National School, before the pair headed for Glenveagh Castle.

Pictures from the event are available in the gallery.

DCIL Balloon Release 2016

On May 5th, 2016 DCIL celebrated the 3rd European Day of Independent Living and raised awareness of the Independent Living ethos and philosophy. We celebrated this Day by releasing balloons and having cards with positive affirmations related to Independent Living. The event took place on the pitch (behind An Danlann) at LYIT grounds around the lunchtime.

DCIL staff together with PA, Leaders and their families grabbed this opportunity to raise awareness on Independent Living and inform people about our initiatives, demand that our human rights are respected - always, by everyone and everywhere.

Pictures from the event are available in the gallery.

Public Q and A meeting with General Election 2016 candidates

Donegal Centre for Independent Living held a question-and-answer session for general election candidates in Letterkenny on 17th of February 2016, to ask them where they stand on key issues of disability inclusion. DCIL also launched their Disable Inequality Campaign, part of a national campaign to end discrimination for people who live with a disability. Donegal Centre for Independent Living members questioned general election candidates on issues of inclusion and rights for people with disabilities.

Pictures from the GE 2016 meeting are available in the gallery.

Disable Inequality Campaign

Disable Inequality is a campaign by the Disability Federation of Ireland. Launched by the DFI, the campaign aims to make Ireland a fairer place to live and ensure disability is a priority in the new Programme for Government. Disable Inequality is collecting stories of inequality from people all over Ireland. These personal accounts are gathered as evidence to show political leaders that it is time to end discrimination against people living with a disability.

Pictures from Disable Inequality Campaign are available in the gallery.

Voodoo Fundraising Night January 2016

Martin Orr & The Honky Tonk Heroes were playing in Voodoo on Sunday 24th January 2016 from 6pm to 8pm. All proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets was donated to Donegal CIL. There was a big turnout which lead to the atmosphere being electric during the session. Donegal CIL would like to thank everyone who assisted in making this happen, notably Nuala O'Hagan and Marion O'Donnell.

DCIL Awards 2015

Fantastic night at our Awards Ceremony and Christmas Party in The Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday 10th December 2015, the most of Donegal where represented through Leaders and PA's from Inishowen to Donegal Town and from the Finn Valley to Gweedore. We awarded this year Leader and PA of the Year Awards. Congratulations to all the winners. They are:
Leader of the Year: Owen McGirr
PA of the Year: Marion McLaughlin
Fundraiser of the Year: Donna Russell

Pictures of all our winners are available in the gallery.

Better Together Competition

DCIL took part in the Better Together Competition and won the Bettre Together 2015 Large Organisation Awards. Donegal Centre for Iindepedent Living have been announced as winner at the Better Together Award Ceremony in Dublin Castle on Wednesday 9th December 2015.

Pictures from the Award Ceremony are available in the gallery.

Table Quiz in Arena 7

The Table Quiz took place on Saturday 7th October 2015 at 9.30 in Arena 7 Letterkenny. That was a great night and we all enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere. Thanks to Aileen who organised the quiz and to those who were able to come along. All money we raised, will go to promote Indepedent Living & empower people with disabilities in Donegal.

Charity Parachute Jump 2015

Our Skydive did not take place on Saturday 3rd October 2015, due to the weather conditions and low cloud. However three of our Jumpers got the opportunity to jump on Sunday 4th October 2015 and all our other participants will complete their jump at the late time.

Pictures of all our parachute jumpers are available in the gallery.

Break Barriers, Open Doors Music & Art Exhibition

The "Break Barriers, Open Doors" Music and Art Exhibition that was held in the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny as part of the Disability Awareness Week 3rd - 10th December 2013. Lots of fun was had by all.

Pictures of all our winners are available in the gallery.

DCIL Awards 2012

Congratulations to all the winners of the DCIL awards! They are:
Leader of the Year:Donna Russell
Runner-up leader of the Year:Katherine Vireaux
PA of the Year:Roniah Bogdenowicz
Runner-up PA of the Year:Rose Baird
Fundraiser of the Year:Annette Curran

Pictures of all our winners are available in the gallery.

DCIL Women's Social, Pamper and Public Awareness Evening

This pamper evening was held in Inver Community Centre on the 15th of August. We would like to thank everyone involved for their support and generosity in aid of DCIL.

Coffee Morning in aid of DCIL

A coffee morning was held on Saturday the 7th of July in Rosnakil Resource Centre. This wonderful event raised just over €780 for DCIL. A Huge thank you to everyone involved and especially to Annette and Aine for all their effort!

Donegal CIL Fundraising Dance

A fundraising dance took place in the Abbey hotel, Donegal Town on the 31st of May. DCIL are delighted to announce that the dance was a great success and helped to raise over €1200 on the night.

Click here to view photos from the night.

Donegal CIL VS Highland Radio Charity Football Match

DCIL were delighted with the response from staff, Leaders and Friends in their participation in this match organised by Shane Bradley on behalf of DCIL. The event was a huge success and raised €1,350 for DCIL on the day.

Click here to view more photos from the match.

Declan McGuiness - Dublin City Marathon

Declan McGuiness (of Moville Bike & Run Group)from Greencastle who ran the Dublin City Marathon in aid of the Donegal Centre for Independent Living raising €1,310 for the organisation. Declan ran the marathon in 3hrs,41mins & 51secs along side other members of the Moville bike & Run Group who all completed in sub 4hrs.
Declan is pictured here presenting the cheque of €1,310 to Donegal CIL Manager - Rosaleen Bradley together with Service User - Martina McCauley from Drung, Redcastle.
We would really appreciate your support in acknowledging Declan’s achievement.

DCIL Charity Match & Fun Day

Two of our Personal Assistants from Burnfoot, May Arbuckle and Noleen Gallagher teamed up with DCIL Manager Rosaleen Bradley in organising this very successful event, which raised €4,200 for DCIL. There was much fun and frolics on the day and created a great community spirit as well as a strong awareness of what DCIL is about and the services we provide. A huge amount of people turned out on a voluntary basis on the day, helping out in all areas including a shop, tea room, face painting and other areas which were a fantastic help.
The match itself ended with victory for the ladies on an entertaining penalty shoot out and DCIL now holds proudly its first cup.
Many thanks also to the many local business’s in Inishowen who supported the event.

Click here to view our photos from the funday.

DCIL Fundraising Dance, Held In M25 Glenties

This event organised by Margery McHugh was a huge successand provided the community with an erray of entertainment for the night aswell as some good fun and crack. We would like to acknowledge the sponsorship of food, prizes and music / entertainment from the local community which led to the raising of €2,350 on the night. The event was also attented by Mary Coughlan who pledged her support to DCIL in our activities going forward. Mary’s office was also instrumental in the promoting the event with posters, flyers etc.
Pictured here Helen McDwyer & Marjery McHugh presenting Marian O’Donnell of DCIL with an overall cheque for their fundraising activities (BBQ, M25 Dance and Barn Dance) which amounted to €3,655 DCIL would like to acknowledge the efforts of both these ladies as well as the huge effort of Caroline Quinn (not in picture)who organised the successful BBQ event.