A new student bursary has been established in memory of much-loved Buncrana social worker, Rhona Coady (née Murphy), to support young people leaving foster care.
The Rhona Murphy Student Bursary Fund will provide a €500 grant to young people supported by Origins Foster Care who turn 18 and progress to further or third-level education. The fund will run for the next three years.
The money can be used towards books, a laptop or other study needs.
The fund was announced during an emotional fundraiser in Spain on 5th July, which raised €8,750 for Donegal Hospice in Rhona’s memory.
Majella McMullan of Origins Foster Care travelled the Costa del Sol for the event and paid tribute to Rhona’s work as a highly skilled, compassionate and respected social work practitioner.
“Rhona was passionate about children’s rights and to the end advocated for children in care and foster carers, promoting hope vs hopelessness, empowerment vs powerlessness and always went that extra mile to provide support,” Majella said.
“Overall, Rhona allowed children’s voices to be heard,” Majella said.
Majella’s tribute was one of many emotional moments during a special day that brought Rhona’s family together with the expat community in southern Spain for music, culture, fundraising and remembrance.
Family, friends and supporters gathered at Brady’s Irish Bar in Spain to celebrate Rhona Coady’s life and legacy, including husband Barry, her children, sister Ruth, goddaughter Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Majella McMullan.
Rhona, née Murphy, passed away on 28th December 2025 just weeks after her 50th birthday, following a rapid illness.
She and her husband Barry Coady have four children, Emily, Sophie, Elsa and Ben, who are aged between 17 and 11.
Rhona’s sister Ruth Jackson said the fundraiser was emotional for all of the family.
“There were a lot of tears, but a lot of pride as well,” Ruth said.
“It was such a celebration of Rhona’s life.”
Barry and all four children attended the event.
Rhona’s goddaughter, Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, was also there. The actress is Ruth’s daughter and had always been one of Rhona’s greatest sources of pride.
The event at Brady’s Irish Bar featured bands, Irish dancers, food, raffles and prizes, with expats from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England all taking part.
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Mná na hÉireann provided the food, while local businesses donated raffle prizes and musicians gave their time for free.
The event itself raised €2,200 on the day, adding to donations at home and in Spain which brought the overall total for Donegal Hospice to €8,750.
Ruth gave special thanks to Tom Doolan for the idea, organisation and music, and to Amy Brady, owner of Brady’s Bar, for working so hard to make the fundraiser happen.
“The community here in Spain have shown what love and kindness looks like,” Ruth wrote.
“You all came together miles from home, but so close in heart and did our Rhona proud and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.”
Donegal Hospice provided crucial support in Rhona’s final days, bringing her pain under control and caring not only for Rhona but also for Barry and the children during their toughest hours.
There were also special presentations during the event.
On behalf of Origins, Majella presented the family with a robin picture frame, a donation to Donegal Hospice and a certificate commemorating a star named in Rhona’s memory.
“Rhona shone brightly all through her life and now will shine for eternity,” said Majella.
Rhona worked with Origins Foster Care as a fostering link social worker and as an independent children’s social worker. The agency currently supports around 65 children living with foster families nationwide.
Origins Foster Care CEO Mieke Ryan said the team had been left in deep shock following Rhona’s passing and wanted to create a lasting tribute to all the care she provided to foster families and children over her career.
Supporting young people at the vulnerable stage when they leave care was an issue particularly close to Rhona’s heart, Mieke said.
“A big passion for Rhona was supporting children leaving care to go onwards into education and have the best chance to create a great life for themselves,” she said.
Rhona was deeply respected across Donegal through her work as a guardian ad litem, representing the voice and best interests of children in legal proceedings.
“Rhona just went above and beyond. She treated every child she was responsible for as a child of her own,” Ruth said.
Earlier this year, Letterkenny District Court held a minute’s silence in Rhona’s memory.
Judge Emile Daly said Rhona was “admired, loved and respected” by practitioners, court staff, Gardaí, social workers and judges, but most importantly by the many vulnerable children for whom she advocated.
Ruth said the fundraiser had shown how widely Rhona’s life and work continued to resonate.
“She loved life, loved family and loved her wider community.”