Barretstown celebrates 30 years of ‘adventure’ and ‘joy’

More than 4,000 people have enjoyed an open day at Barretstown Castle celebrating the charity’s 30 years in Ireland.

Barretstown looks after children with serious illnesses and their families.

Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn told RTÉ News that the charity has hosted more than 120,000 campers at its facilities at Barretstown Castle since it opened its doors 30 years ago.

She said it is about allowing seriously ill children and their families to reclaim part of their childhood.

“When children are diagnosed with a serious illness, they’re plunged into a world of hospitals, doctors and often grueling treatment,” she said.

“In truth, they have to grow up too quickly and they lose out on a large part of their childhood, and that’s where Barretstown comes in,” she added.

Ms Ahearn the charity’s programmes “are designed to rebuild their independence, confidence and self-esteem”.

Orla Wallace has a long association with Barretstown.

Ms Wallace’s son, Ben, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011, when he was 12 years old.

He passed away in 2015, but her family’s connection with the charity continues.

Ms Wallace continues to raise funds and Ben’s sister, Ava, is now a member of the Barretstown Youth Board.

She said Barretstown is following Ben’s lead by giving something back to the place which did so much for them.

“Ben used to say Barretstown gave me a piece of myself back, I don’t know how they do it,” she said.

Ms Wallace said that when a child is diagnosed with a serious illness all their parents want is for them to be able to have some sort of normal life.

“To have some fun, to have some adventure, to have lots of joy and that’s what you get here at Barretstown, that’s what they get and that’s what the whole family gets,” she said.

Ms Ahearn said Barretstown will serve more than 22,000 campers this year and there is a waiting list for it’s programmes.

The charity must fundraise to provide those services.

It receives about 4% of its funding from the State and spent €9 million last year.

Ms Wallace said it is very important that Barretstown is able to continue to do so.

She said that “there are four children diagnosed every week, with cancer in this country, never mind all the other serious illnesses that Barretstown looks after” and because the camp is medically supported families can come with their children knowing they will be looked after and safe there.