Planning approved for first children’s hospice outside Dublin
Planning permission has been secured for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar, the first of its kind beyond Dublin, set to open in 2029. This state-of-the-art facility will provide vital paediatric palliative care to families across Ireland’s western region.
Source:
HSE — Health Service Executive
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⏱️ 2 min read
Planning permission has been officially granted for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar, marking a historic advancement in paediatric palliative care in Ireland. As the first children’s hospice outside Dublin and the first new facility of its kind in over 15 years, this development promises specialised support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families throughout the western seaboard.
Located in Moneen, Castlebar, and funded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the hospice will offer a 36,000 sq. ft. purpose-built environment featuring eight en-suite bedrooms with private garden or patio access, four family accommodation suites, sensory rooms and gardens, dedicated spaces for children and young adults, teaching facilities, and quiet reflection rooms. The design has been expertly shaped by input from families and clinicians to ensure it meets the practical and therapeutic needs of its users, including features such as a canopy over the entrance, an immediate-access shower, and a hydrotherapy pool.
Since plans were unveiled in late 2025, nearly €9 million has been raised through community efforts and corporate donors towards the total €20 million cost. Construction is due to begin in January 2027, with the hospice expected to welcome patients by 2029. The project has garnered strong support from government officials, healthcare leaders, and families who have shared their experiences to shape this vital service. The Sunflower Children’s Hospice aims to transform access to specialist care for children and young adults across the West of Ireland, providing comfort, hope, and respite closer to home.
For donations and more information, visit sunflowerchildrenshospice.ie.
Located in Moneen, Castlebar, and funded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the hospice will offer a 36,000 sq. ft. purpose-built environment featuring eight en-suite bedrooms with private garden or patio access, four family accommodation suites, sensory rooms and gardens, dedicated spaces for children and young adults, teaching facilities, and quiet reflection rooms. The design has been expertly shaped by input from families and clinicians to ensure it meets the practical and therapeutic needs of its users, including features such as a canopy over the entrance, an immediate-access shower, and a hydrotherapy pool.
Since plans were unveiled in late 2025, nearly €9 million has been raised through community efforts and corporate donors towards the total €20 million cost. Construction is due to begin in January 2027, with the hospice expected to welcome patients by 2029. The project has garnered strong support from government officials, healthcare leaders, and families who have shared their experiences to shape this vital service. The Sunflower Children’s Hospice aims to transform access to specialist care for children and young adults across the West of Ireland, providing comfort, hope, and respite closer to home.
For donations and more information, visit sunflowerchildrenshospice.ie.
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