Sunflower Children's Hospice Construction to Begin in Castlebar

Construction work on the first children’s hospice outside Dublin is expected to begin in January 2027, changing how specialist palliative care is delivered across the western seaboard.

On Friday, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is scheduled to officially “turn the sod” on the site in Castlebar, County Mayo, signaling the start of a project that aims to bridge a geographical gap in pediatric services.

The Sunflower Children’s Hospice, an initiative spearheaded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, is designed as a 3,300sq/m facility intended to serve families who have previously faced the burden of traveling to the capital for specialized support. The facility will feature eight en-suite bedrooms with private garden or patio access, alongside four additional suites specifically for family accommodation.

The project represents a substantial investment, with a total projected cost of €20 million. While the State is committed to covering the ongoing staff costs once the facility is operational, the initial capital expenditure is being met through a mix of community fundraising and corporate donations. To date, the Foundation has secured €9 million toward the construction goal.

The design process has been shaped by direct feedback from families and clinicians to ensure the space functions as both a medical facility and a therapeutic environment. This input led to specific practical additions, such as a canopy over the front entrance, a shower immediately inside the front door, and a hydrotherapy pool.

Sunflower Children's Hospice Construction to Begin in Castlebar — Photo: Midwest Radio

“They need somebody on the journey the whole way through for them and they shouldn’t have to travel across the country for these services,” said Martina Jennings, CEO of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, during an interview with RTÉ. “So it is a landmark project and it’s life-changing for these families.”

The facility is intended to provide more than just clinical care; it will include sensory rooms, education facilities, and dedicated spaces for children and young adults living with life-limiting conditions. The hospice is scheduled to open to patients in 2029.

This development addresses a demographic need. Families in the west of Ireland have used a system where essential pediatric hospice care was concentrated in Dublin. By decentralizing these services, the Foundation aims to ensure that children with complex diagnoses receive care closer to their support networks and homes.

The sod-turning ceremony in Castlebar, which also includes local Minister Dara Calleary, serves as a formal milestone for the project. For the families involved, the hospice provides more equitable healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that specialized pediatric palliative care is not defined by one's proximity to the capital.