Down Syndrome Sligo

09/03/2026

Love this 😍

05/03/2026

This is good news for many of our members who struggle with needles. Great idea 💡

“It's actually class.”

That was the reaction of an Abbott employee after she tried out a new headset designed to put people at ease when giving blood.

The new mixed reality experience for blood donors took place during an employee blood drive at Abbott Diagnostics Division, Finisklin Business Park, Sligo on Monday.

Participants wear lightweight headsets with a translucent visor, so the eyes of donors are always visible to clinical staff, ensuring constant monitoring and evaluation.

For many, giving blood can be a nervous experience with visions of needles and blood.

Up to 80 donors, some of whom were Abbott employees, gave blood on Monday and many tried out the new headsets.

Explaining the background, Donal Bermingham, Division Vice President, Research and Developmenrt, Abbott Transfusion Medicine said: “My background was mechanical engineering and I joined Abbott in 2004 and went to Chicago in 2011 and I am still there."

He continued: “Some very bright people in Abbott devised this mixed reality operation.

"The first game they brought out is called the Zen garden and you can plant seeds and grow your own garden while you are giving blood.

"And you have relaxing music in the background to relax the body.

"There is a culture of the older generation giving blood for years but we are trying to builld a culture in younger people through this mixed reality scheme and bringing them in and getting them to be repeat donors.”

05/03/2026

CoMotion cycling event in Boyle this Saturday

We’re delighted to launch our first Cycling Inclusion Day in Roscommon/Leitrim this Saturday in Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Boyle, Co.Roscommon, at 12pm. All are welcome - Adults and Children. Come along for a spin on our specially adapted tricycles, tandems, wheelchair trikes and side-by-side tandems. RTE will be in attendance to cover the event. These regular events are operated by CoMotion and supported by Variety - the Children's Charity of Ireland, HSE Ireland and Department of Children, Disability and Inclusion. Fun for all and totally free of charge.
Down Syndrome Sligo Active Disability Ireland Sligo Cycling Campaign Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership Leitrim Tourism Lovely Leitrim Extra Special Parent & Toddler Group Irish Wheelchair Association Sligo Greenway Co-op Ltd Cllr. Mikey Sheehy Louth Disability Cycling Club Collooney Greenways Support Group Ocean FM Ireland Ocean FM Sport VanRaam UK Carrick On Shannon

03/03/2026

Host an event in your school, workplace or community or just order your socks or pins from Down Syndrome Ireland... World Down Syndrome Day will soon be here - March 21st!

It's finally back! Dust off your most stylish and colourful socks and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st 🧦💜

How do you take part?

🧦 You can host a Lots of Socks party in your school, workplace or community.

🧦 You can buy our limited edition Lots of Socks designed by the winner of our colouring competition, 11 year old Amy from Mayo.

🧦 You can also buy our limited edition Sock Pins and Sock Charms for your Crocs!

Buy our socks here: https://downsyndrome.ie/shop/

Sign up to host a Lots of Sock event here: https://lotsofsocks.ie/

03/03/2026

Great to have these survey results. Thanks to Down Syndrome Ireland for their continuing work on this. We live in hope of an improved SLT service for our members here in Sligo!

03/03/2026

Congrats to everyone who took part in this event at the weekend! A brilliant day by all accounts. Some happy faces here.

03/03/2026

Know anyone who'd be interested in this voluntary board position?

Board Member Applications 02/03/2026 Home / News / Board Member Applications Down Syndrome Ireland is inviting applications for two Member Director positions on our Board.  As we enter the start of our four- year strategy, Unity 26-30,  we are intentionally strengthening the Board with individuals...

25/02/2026

Great video Jonathan!

We have such wonderful support from Sligo County Library, they offer so much more than books 📚

Check out their sensory toy and resource library, c-pens to help with reading, online books & magazines, book clubs (including a Down syndrome club) etc.

The staff are just brilliant 👏 a fantastic resource for the whole community. Well done Jonathan for helping promote it

24/02/2026

Our treasurer Marie recently visited Rathcormac school to thank the students and staff for their Christmas Jumper Day donation of €410. We are delighted to recieve this donation as we 100% depend on public fundraising and small grants. All funds raised are spent on providing local activities and support for members here in Sligo.

Three cheers for everyone in Rathcormack National School!

23/02/2026

23/02/2026

Disability payments may be revised based on this so please do give your thoughts on the true cost of having a disability.

Have your say on the new permanent Cost of Disability payment.

Work is underway to introduce a permanent Cost of Disability payment, and public submissions are now open.

This is an opportunity for disabled people, families, carers and organisations to help shape how this payment is designed and delivered.

Submissions can be made:
• by email or post
• by phone
• by video

Accessible formats are available, including Easy-to-Read, Irish Sign Language, screen-reader friendly and Braille versions.

For more information and for details on how to share your views, visit: Public Consultation on the Cost of Disability

https://taoiseach-gov-ie.fortimailcloud.com/fmlurlsvc/?fewReq=:B:JVg8NzA3PCBwOzQoNiBvYjs2Nzw2NyB1b2FoZ3JzdGM7ZTUwZTQyPmJiNzJnNzVgNWBlNmcxMzY3PmQyMjI/PzM/YD8wYzI0ZCByOzcxMTczNDY+NzEgd29iOzA3TE4wS3dKND81NzAzNCswN0xOMEt3SzQ/NTcwMzQgdGV2cjt2dGN1dShpYGBvZWNGcmdpb3VjZ2VuKGFpcChvYyBlOzM3IG5iajs2&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.gov.ie%2fen%2fdepartment-of-social-protection%2fconsultations%2fpublic-consultation-on-the-cost-of-disability%2f