The Irish Red Cross has today awarded funding to 14 community projects as part of the final phase of the Creeslough Community Support Fund.
A total of €1,957,609 was raised through the Irish Red Cross thanks to the exceptional generosity of Irish businesses and the public to support those affected by the devastating explosion in October 2022.
The final stage of the funding will see €165,406 granted to projects aimed at long-term recovery and remembrance.
The vast bulk of the Fund was used to support families of the bereaved and others who suffered loss and were heavily affected by the tragedy.
A portion of the Fund was set aside to support longer term community recovery. The community projects which have now been awarded funding have a strong focus on building long-term community resilience, with youth development, trauma recovery and remembrance as the key priorities.
All eligible organisations who applied for the scheme were awarded some level of funding. They included: Creeslough Community Association, St Michaels GAA, Ard’s Men’s Shed Creeslough, Foroige Youth Service Donegal, Local Youth and Family Service (Donegal Men’s Health), Doe Amateur Swimming Club, Letterkenny Rugby Club, Scoil Mhuire Creeslough, Dunfanaghy Family Resource centre, Dunfanaghy Football Club, Faugher National School Dunfanaghy, Creeslough Community Childcare, Mulroy College Milford and Donegal Youth Service.
The projects these organisations will develop include:
- Two memorial projects will be supported, including a community memorial garden and a looped forest walk ending at the site of the tragedy – both designed as spaces of reflection, remembrance, and peace.
- Two local schools will receive trauma support facilities and training for staff, enabling safe spaces and skilled care for affected children and families.
- Other projects include men’s mental health support for local sports clubs (GAA, soccer and rugby), which were impacted by the tragic death of a member as well as youth development programmes to be offered through summer and afterschool activities in the community.
Speaking at a local event to mark the announcement, Irish Red Cross, Secretary General, Deirdre Garvey said: “The people of Creeslough have endured an unthinkable tragedy, and today we honour their resilience, compassion, and strength. Every one of these projects is a building block in recovery – supporting people to heal, supporting families to find hope, and ensuring the lives lost are always remembered. This fund reflects Ireland at its best – kind, generous and united in compassion. We are proud to work alongside this community to deliver practical and emotional support, now and into the future.”
Aiden Lonergan, National Director of Community Support (volunteer) for the Irish Red Cross and a long-time volunteer involved in the Creeslough response, said: “Trauma doesn’t disappear when the headlines fade. What matters is sustained support, rooted in the community. With these projects, and with new local trauma-trained leaders, Creeslough will have the tools to recover not just now, but for years to come.”
During the event, several individuals were recognised for their exceptional efforts in the aftermath of the tragedy. Among them was Ray Mackey, a Donegal-based Irish Red Cross volunteer, whose dedication and compassion have earned deep respect across the community; Fr John Joe Duffy who gave so much of his time to the families of the bereaved, and members of the Advisory Committee, which was chaired by Leona McMenamin, Senior Child and family Support Network Coordinator, Tusla.
The Irish Red Cross has 4,000 volunteers nationwide, including 254 in County Donegal. Its work spans Disasters & Emergency Response, Health & Wellbeing, and Migration and Displaced People. As an auxiliary to the state, the Irish Red Cross works alongside the Irish government to support local communities in times of crisis.
Background
The Irish Red Cross Creeslough Community Support Fund was established as an immediate humanitarian response to the tragedy that arose following a fatal explosion in the village of Creeslough, County Donegal on 7th October 2022. Ten people died in the explosion, a number were injured, and people lost their homes, apartments and jobs. The explosion demolished a shop, filling station and a block of apartments.
Over the past two years the Irish Red Cross actively engaged with local community organisations to plan this expenditure in the interests of those affected by the tragedy and the community. The priorities were identified by the community during several community consultation meetings during 2023 and 2024. In November 2024 the Irish Red Cross launched an online application process for community organisations and clubs to apply for a portion of this funding.
An Oversight Committee was established from the outset to provide a governance framework for managing and disbursing the funds and it oversaw expenditure from the Fund. The committee comprised local representation, an independent financial member and members from Red Cross Board and Management.
The Irish Red Cross Creeslough Community Support Fund of €1,957,609 has now been fully committed:
- €1,745,857 (89.2%) supported those directly affected – people who lost loved ones, homes, or livelihoods.
- €165,406 (8.4%) will now be awarded to support 14 community-based projects for long-term recovery and remembrance.
- €46,346 (2.4%) was required to cover unavoidable third-party costs incurred such as banking charges, as well as necessary professional advisory services to assist in the disbursement including tax advice for recipients.
