A record number of volunteers and community organisations in Donegal were recognised on Thursday, July 16th for their dedication to volunteering and the impact their work has on local communities.
The Donegal Volunteer Centre, managed by Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC), hosted its annual awards ceremony at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, celebrating the spirit of volunteers who make a real difference in communities across the county.
This year’s awards attracted the highest number of nominations ever received, reflecting the depth and breadth of volunteering across the county.
The 2026 Volunteer Individual Recognition Award recognised the outstanding efforts of 57 volunteers who give their time, energy, and passion to support others across Donegal.
The Volunteer Project Award honoured ongoing or recently completed projects that demonstrated originality and innovation, strong community impact, and meaningful volunteer involvement.
From 15 volunteer groups nominated, six winners were chosen by a judging panel.
They were:
The Mill River Conservation Group, Buncrana
Survivors Informing Services and Institutions, Glenties
Gemma’s Legacy of Hope
Ukraine Voice in Donegal
All in Club, Creeslough
Arcade, Dungloe
Speaking at the ceremony, Eamonn Bonner, Manager of Donegal Volunteer Centre, said: “The work of volunteers often flies under the radar.
“Being able to bring volunteers together to celebrate their contribution is incredibly important.
“It’s an opportunity to recognise the generosity and kindness of volunteers right across Donegal and to acknowledge the selfless work they do to help others and improve lives.”
The Donegal Volunteer Centre thanks all who submitted nominations and congratulates the winners who were recognised on the night.
Seamus Rós Coiste Glan agus Glas Falcarragh pictured with Shane McBride DLDC and Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer Development Officer Ashling Vieira.
Members of CARA House. Front row (L-R) Elizabeth Gibbons, Dermot Lyster, Mary Hegarty, Elizabeth O’Donnell, back row (L-R) Shane McBride DLDC, Shannon Whelan Kongsted, Donegal Volunteer Centre and Ashling Vieira, Donegal Volunteer Centre.
Yevis Gallagher, Green Pantry Society, ATU Donegal pictured with Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer Officers Shannon Whelan Kongsted and Ashling Vieira.
Hazel Russell of Swilly Sisters Rathmullan pictured with DLDC Community Development Manager Martin McDevitt and Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer Development Officer Ashling Vieira.
Jenny Vial of Survivors Informing Services and Institutions (SiSi) pictured with Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer, Volunteer Development Officer Shannon Whelan Kongsted and DLDC Community Development Manager, Martin McDevitt.
Caimah Nyathi 2026 Relay for Life, who received his Volunteer Recognition Award at the Donegal Volunteer Awards in the Raddison Hotel Letterkenny. Included in the photo are Shannon Whelan Kongsted, Volunteer Development and Olena Dmytriieva Community volunteer officer Donegal Volunteer Centre. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
David Sayers and Tommy McGinley of Dunfanaghy Youths FC pictured with Shane McBride, DLDC and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
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Gerry Breslin of Bundoran Community Centre, pictured with DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
William Saucedo, pictured with DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
Majeilla O’Kane of Raphoe Family Resource Centre pictured with DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan and Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer Development Officer Shannon Whelan Kongsted.
Noelle Smullen of The Railway Ramblers, Dunfanaghy pictured with DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan and DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin.
Picture front row (L-R) Shazia Noureen, Syeda Tanveer Sultana, Sahla Khanam, Mahreen Mahreen, back row (L-R) DLDC Chairman Paul Hanningan, Mashal Ijaz, Shifa Khanam, Safa Khanam, Uzma Sajid and Donegal Volunteer Centre member Olena Dmytriieva.
Seamus McGranaghan of Quigley’s Point Community Centre pictured with Patricia Higgins, Inishowen Development Partnership and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
Members of Mill River Conservation Group pictured with DLDC staff members Michaela Flanagan, Nuala Diver, Donegal Volunteer Centre Volunteer Officer Shannon Whelan Kongsted and Patricia Higgins, Inishowen Development Partnership.
Members of the All in Club pictured with DLDC staff members Nuala Diver and Viktoriia Hladyshenko and Donegal Volunteer Centre Manager Eamonn Bonner.
Members of the Letterkenny Autism Family Support Group pictured with members of the Donegal Volunteer Centre, Shannon Whelan Kongsted, Keelan Gildea and Olena Dmytriieva.
Members of Survivors Informing Services and Institutions (SiSi) pictured with DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
Members of Gemma’s Legacy of Hope Group, Dungloe pictured with DLDC staff member Viktoriia Hladyshenko, DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
Members of the Arcade group, Dungloe pictured with Donegal Volunteer Centre Development Officer Ashling Vieira, DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan and DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin.
Members of Donegal Giving pictured with DLDC Head of Operations Margaret Larkin and DLDC Chairman Paul Hannigan.
DLDC Chairmain Paul Hannigan.
Donegal Volunteer Centre Manager Eamonn Bonner.