A therapeutic short break centre on the shores of Lough Corrib
Lisloughrey is a scenic townland and historic quay located on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo, Ireland, adjacent to the village of Cong and the Ashford Castle estate. With its extensive woodlands and arable land, Lisloughrey has welcomed many kings, queens and other dignitaries over hundreds of years. They came and went, but none quite like Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge, which has now arrived and is due to open in summer 2027. Unlike those who visited before, Daisy Lodge is here to stay.
Under construction, due to open in summer 2027
The driving force behind Daisy Lodge is Margaret McAlpine MBE, who founded Cancer Fund for Children in 1973. Her vision of providing practical and emotional support to families impacted by childhood cancer laid the foundations for the charity’s unique therapeutic short break centres.
While Margaret McAlpine established the charity, the development of a second Daisy Lodge in Co. Mayo has been driven by several key figures:
Phil Alexander: As CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander leads the charity’s vision and mission, guiding its work to support children and families impacted by cancer and overseeing the construction of its second Daisy Lodge centre in Cong, County Mayo.
Rory Best: The former Ireland rugby captain has championed the “all-island” development of Cancer Fund for Children, spearheading major Rory’s Miles to Mayo fundraising campaigns. In 2021, Rory completed his first challenge, walking 290 km from Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down to the site of their second therapeutic centre in Cong, raising over €1 million. The second Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo challenge in 2023 saw Rory walking 354 miles from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Cong, raising €1.5 million. On arrival to the site Rory and his wife Jodie turned the first sod. Then in 2026 he completed Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo the Trilogy, walking 9 marathons in 9 days across Ireland with 21 business leaders. Together they have raised a staggering €1.9 million and counting.
Rory McIlroy: The professional golfer and his foundation were vital early supporters. Through his foundation Rory donated £1 million to help build Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down. In 2014 he officially opened the original therapeutic short break centre. He then extended his support by donating €1.2 million to purchase the 30-acre site on the shores of Lough Corrib for a second Daisy Lodge. Construction is now well underway, with Daisy Lodge Cong due to open to families in 2027.
Daisy Lodge in Cong will be a new 30,000 square foot, carbon neutral therapeutic centre on the shores of Lough Corrib. Families affected by cancer will have the opportunity to rest, reconnect and simply be together, in a peaceful space away from the challenges of cancer. Construction began in August 2025, and the centre is due to open in summer 2027.
Watch Daisy Lodge take shape: Video 1 | Video 2
Find out more at cancerfundforchildren.com →
Marian Holy Art is proud to support Cancer Fund for Children.
