Who we are.
Spraoi agus Spórt is an award winning social enterprise based in Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal providing excellent social, recreational and educational activities for the community which are focused on family development and which bring social, recreational and economic benefits to the area.
In April 2010 three friends and mums of young children Helen Nolan, Louise Grant and Ailbhe Hickey agreed to try and turn their dream of having a dedicated home for the Carndonagh Parent and Toddler Group “where parents could have a cup of tea and a chat while their children played” into a reality. They were joined in that quest by Helen Doherty and Kathleen Gallagher and a committee was formed in June 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGULyJm-fQ
In April 2010 three friends and mums of young children Helen Nolan, Louise Grant and Ailbhe Hickey agreed to try and turn their dream of having a dedicated home for the Carndonagh Parent and Toddler Group “where parents could have a cup of tea and a chat while their children played” into a reality. They were joined in that quest by Helen Doherty and Kathleen Gallagher and a committee was formed in June 2010.
After five months of hard work, commitment and dedication the dream became a reality and Spraoi agus Spórt opened its doors for the first time on Thursday 17th November 2010.
Later that year Sarah Quigley Burns, Lorraine O’Carroll, and Karen McCormick joined the committee.
In May 2011 with the help of Cathy Kelly & Chrissy McCandless the “Something Special Social Club” was established aimed at providing a range of social and recreational activities to meet the needs of children with a disability and their families across Inishowen.
Spraoi agus Spórt has grown and developed over the years as a result of the hard work of its committee and from the support it has received from the families who use our centre, the community and the other organisations which support us.
Initially we provided 100 places weekly, today we provide in excess of 600 places weekly on a wide range of classes.
Spraoi agus Spórt is governed in a professional and voluntary capacity by a Board of Directors. We have a full-time manager, 2 part-time programme co-coordinators, 2 part-time administrators and a marketing coordinator through the Community Services Programme. We employ 20 facilitators on a part-time basis during the school year and a further 45 facilitators and special needs assistants during the school holidays. We also have a pool of over 15 volunteers.
All board members, facilitators, staff and volunteers are reference checked and Garda Vetted.
