A North Mayo family bakery that plays an active role in welcoming visitors to the region has announced a new partnership supporting the development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
O’Hara’s of Foxford and its café, Baker 51, are part of the Mayo North Tourism network and long-time supporters of initiatives that promote North Mayo as a welcoming, community-focused destination. That strong sense of care and connection is reflected in their newly announced three-year partnership with the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
The three-year partnership will directly support fundraising for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which will provide specialist care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as vital support for families across the western seaboard. It will be the first children’s hospice built outside Dublin.
As part of the initiative, the Sunflower Children’s Hospice logo, featuring its mascot Sunny, now appears on O’Hara’s Premium White Sliced Bread, the bakery’s best-selling product and the number one bread brand in Connacht. Each loaf also includes a QR code allowing customers to donate directly to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice. The bread is available in shops across Connacht and internationally in outlets stocking O’Hara’s sliced pan.
The partnership also extends to Baker 51 by O’Hara’s of Foxford, which will host four coffee mornings throughout the year, with all donations going towards the Sunflower Children’s Hospice appeal. Baker 51 is a familiar stop for both locals and visitors exploring Foxford and North Mayo.
2026 marks a significant milestone for the family-owned bakery, with O’Hara’s of Foxford celebrating 75 years in business, alongside the first anniversary of its popular Baker 51 Café in Ballina. To mark the occasion, O’Hara’s has chosen to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, a vital new project for the West of Ireland.
Speaking about the partnership, Julie O’Hara of O’Hara’s of Foxford said:
“We’re a family business and family means everything to us. What the Sunflower Children’s Hospice will do for families is just amazing. Supporting this initiative was the right thing to do, and it felt like the right fit.”
The Sunflower Children’s Hospice will be an eight-bed facility built in Castlebar, with an estimated cost of €12–€14 million. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to raise €7 million, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and take approximately two years.
Commenting on the initiative, Mairéad Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, said:
“It’s heartening to see local businesses giving back and supporting such a worthwhile cause. This initiative reflects the strong community spirit that defines North Mayo.”
Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has supported more than 25,000 patients and families to date, with both the Mayo and Roscommon hospice facilities built entirely through community fundraising.
Further information on the Sunflower Children’s Hospice and how to support the campaign is available at hospice.ie.