Cúl Eile: Children with special needs enjoy summer camp with a difference in east Cork

120 volunteers helped 60 children enjoyed three days of outdoor fun and games at Castlelyons GAA Club organised by The Friends of Dean and Padraig

Donnacha McEvoy and Russell Kenneally with retained firefighter Patrick Walsh as they try out the firefighting equipment at the Cúl Eile summer camp at Castlelyons GAA Club organised by The Friends of Dean & Padraig.  Pictures: Larry Cummins

The memory of two young men has spurred on a local community to develop a summer camp with a difference for children with special needs in east Cork.

In recent days, 60 children from Youghal to Mallow gathered in Castlelyons to take part in the Cúl Eile camp set up four years ago by a group called the Friends of Dean and Padraig. The three-day camp included a visit by emergency services including the army, gardaí, and the Blackwater Sub Aqua Club.

One of the organisers of the camp, Carol Shanahan, said: “Our group was set up through an invitation from Castlelyons GAA to use their facilities to host a training session for children from Castlelyons and surrounding parishes with special/additional needs.

“In the four years since the group was established, it has grown from strength to strength. Our first training session back in 2020 had 11 children in attendance.

Simon and Mikey Barry enjoying archery at the Cúl Eile summer camp at Castlelyons GAA Club.  

“We are now running our fourth Cúl Eile Camp with 60 children attending. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful group.”

She added: “This wonderful group has an incredible team of coaches and volunteers who come in their droves to support all children in attendance.

Mikey Barry bringing law and order to the Cúl Eile summer camp at Castlelyons GAA Club. Picture: Larry Cummins

“A big thank you to Simon Barry, George Leetch, and the Friends of Dean and Padraig committee.”

Another organiser, Catriona Barry, said local people rowed in to volunteer for the three-day camp, and businesses have also been supportive with sponsorship.

Lillie and Paddy Barry and Donnacha seated in an Irish Army Mowag armoured vehicle at the Cúl Eile summer camp in Castlelyons Co Cork, organised by The Friends of Dean & Padraig.  Picture: Larry Cummins

She also said: “We have a social group as well which goes all year along. We are a support network for each other as well.”

Carol explained that “two incredibly special young men came to mind” when the voluntary group was searching for a name.

She said: “Dean Murphy was an incredible young man who faced many hurdles and battles. Dean’s disability never defined him.

Tricia Geary, Jenna Leetch, Julie O'Sullivan, Martha Quirke, Kathleen Beausang, and Cathy Drislane were among the 120 volunteers who made sure their 60 Cúl Eile participants had the best of fun. Picture: Larry Cummins

“In 2010, he won three gold medals at the Special Olympics in Limerick. Dean was also presented with a special achievement award from St Paul’s Cope Foundation, where he attended school and didn’t miss a single day.

“The Lord Mayor of Cork presented him with his award. Dean was also a huge supporter of all Castlelyons and Cork GAA teams.

Aaron enjoying the tour given by Corporal Killian Hardy of a Mowag armoured vehicle at the Cúl Eile camp at Castlelyons GAA Club organised by The Friends of Dean & Padraig. Some 60 children with additional needs enjoyed the outdoor fun and games. Picture: Larry Cummins

“Sadly, Dean passed away last year, but his memory will live on forever.”

She added: “Padraig Fenton, an incredible young man, was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

“Because of this he was a wheelchair user and had a learning disability. Padraig attended Enable Ireland for school and adult services. He loved every minute he was there. 

Lukas, Darragh, and Darragh with members of Blackwater Sub Aqua Club at the Cúl Eile summer camp in Castlelyons.

"When Padraig sadly passed away, his family fundraised for the adult service in Little Island and in turn they named the sensory room ‘The Padraig Fenton Sensory Room’ in his memory. He will never be forgotten there.”

She continued: “He loved GAA and went to as many matches as he possibly could. He was known as the official scorekeeper as he always insisted on keeping the score at every match.

Volunteer Colm Spillane with boys Jude, Donnacha, and Finn who were having fun at the three-day Cúl Eile summer camp at Castlelyons GAA Club organised by The Friends of Dean & Padraig.

“The GAA presented Padraig with many awards to highlight his dedication to the sport which was brilliant. He was also big into his music and attended many concerts which he loved.

“Unfortunately at the age of 23 Padraig contracted motor neuron disease and a week short of his 26th birthday he passed away on Christmas Eve 2013.

“Both Dean and Padraig have inspired us and are the foundation of the Friends of Dean and Padraig.”