An Irish community in southern Spain is coming together this weekend to honour the memory of much-loved Buncrana social worker Rhona Coady and raise vital funds for Donegal Hospice.
The lively fundraiser will take place at Brady’s Irish Bar in Puerto de la Duquesa on the Costa del Sol on Sunday, 5th July, with live music, Irish dancing, raffles, prizes and food.
Rhona (nee Murphy), a beloved mum of four and respected professional, passed away on 28th December 2025, just weeks after her 50th birthday.
Rhona and her husband Barry Coady have four children, Emily, Sophie, Elsa and Ben, who are aged between 17 and 11.
Rhona was also the proud godmother of Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, the daughter of her sister Ruth Jackson. The photo chosen for Sunday’s fundraiser poster shows Rhona smiling at Saoirse-Monica’s wedding last summer.
Rhona Coady pictured with her star goddaughter, Derry Girls actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson in Kerry last August.
Rhona’s sister Ruth Jackson, who lives in Spain and is Saoirse-Monica’s mum, had travelled home last winter to help Rhona plan her birthday party.
Instead, Rhona marked her milestone birthday in hospital.
“Rhona went from being fine to deteriorating massively. It was a glioma, a tumour in her spine and then it went to her brain, and at that point the war was over,” Ruth said.
“She just went downhill rapidly within five weeks.”
Rhona was initially treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, and then transferred to Donegal Hospice, where Ruth said that her sister and the family found kindness and comfort at the hardest time.
Ruth said the staff were like ‘walking angels’.
“They just couldn’t do enough for Rhona and the wains. They were unbelievable,” she said.
To give back to Donegal Hospice and to show support to Ruth, the Irish community surrounding the Cork-owned Brady’s Bar has organised Sunday’s memorial fundraiser as a celebration of Rhona’s life and legacy.
It will be a community effort, with trad group Mná na hÉireann and four bands made up of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English expats set to perform on the day.
Sisters Rhona Coady and Ruth Jackson enjoying happy times together.
Ruth says she has been heartened by the kindness shown to her from her adopted homeplace while she has been spending time in Buncrana recently.
“I have only been part of this community five years, and for them to realise how great the loss is for me and to want to show their support is amazing,” Ruth said.
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“They know about Donegal Hospice and know what an amazing place it is.
“They have arranged so much. Local restaurants have donated meals for two. The golf club has donated golf for two. All the businesses have donated, and all the musicians are donating their time for free.”
Barry and the children are due to travel to Spain for Sunday’s event, which Ruth said will be emotional but special.
“The children will know that their mummy may be passed but her memories will live on in the good work that she did in the community.”
Rhona Coady with her husband Barry at the wedding of her goddaughter, Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
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,” said Ruth.
That deep regard was reflected at Rhona’s funeral in Buncrana, where Ruth said the chapel was filled with family, friends, colleagues, foster families and people whose lives had been touched by her work.
“Everybody came out of the woodwork, from all over Donegal – families from the guardian ad litem work and also from foster care. When Rhona placed children with people she would always go and see how they were.”
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 Rhona’s pride in her family was just as strong as her devotion to her work.
As well as her fierce pride in her children, she loved to follow the success of her goddaughter, Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
“Our Rhona was the proudest godmother, she went on more about our Saoirse than I ever would dare to,” Ruth laughs.
“If Saoirse was doing anything, the whole town was told about it!
“Rhona loved Saoirse from she was a baby. She was her godmother and it was years later before she had her own kids. She was the apple of her eye.”
The photo chosen for the fundraiser poster shows Rhona at Saoirse-Monica’s famous wedding last summer, where Ruth said she was the picture of health.
“She was as happy and as proud,” Ruth recalls.
“That’s why I chose a photo of her so happy. She loved life, loved family and loved her wider community.”
This Sunday, the community Rhona loved in Donegal and the community Ruth has found in Spain are invited to share in showing support for a vital cause in Rhona’s memory.
Anyone who wishes to support the fundraiser can do so here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/amybrady