Get Denis Home

On 24th June 2021, our very dear friend and family member Denis Connolly suffered life changing injuries following a car accident.

Denis’ injuries were so severe that he lost the use of his legs and is paralysed from his upper chest down, with limited use of his shoulders and hands.

After the accident Denis spent some time at The Mater Hospital in Dublin where he underwent complex spinal surgery and was then transferred to CUH where he continued to receive expert care.

On September 15th, Denis was transferred to the National Rehabilitation Unit in Dun Laoghaire. The National Rehabilitation Hospital has re-assessed his case, and while we hoped that Denis would return home for Christmas, he will instead remain in the good care of the hospital to continue his rehabilitation. We are hoping that Denis will return to Bantry in the New Year.

We look forward to seeing Denis return to Bantry and it is his ultimate wish to live in his own home, in Reenrour East once again. Denis has lived in this house for 37 years but unfortunately the house is not suitable for someone with the needs that Denis is now living with. The house will require substantial structural renovations.

We, his family, and friends, have decided to start a GoFundMe page to raise funds to grant Denis’s wish to return to his family home.

The family are working with the Local Authority to avail of the House Adaptation Grant. Even if this application is approved, it will cover only a small percentage of the overall cost to adapt the house for Denis’ needs.

We are reaching out to Denis’ friends at home and abroad to help us raise the remainder of the funds to meet the substantial cost of renovating the house, purchase specialised equipment and provide on-going care for his high needs.

For anyone who does not know Denis, he is a loyal, hardworking, and dedicated individual who will go over and above to help anyone who requires assistance in any way. He has a gentle caring nature and is well known around the area.

Denis is a keen photographer and has shown the love he has for his native Bantry and those who reside there by the numerous photographs he has taken over the years. Be it the local characters, shop fronts, airplanes on his beloved airstrip or the beautiful sunsets that happened so frequently over Bantry Bay. And lest we forget his beloved canine friend Cara, his loyal companion who accompanied him on his daily walks around the town of Bantry. He always shared his photographs and adventures on social media and judging by the high level of engagement, it was always greatly appreciated.

We as a community are so thankful for all the memories, he has captured for us. For people living abroad it is heart-warming to see photographs of your hometown and I am sure there are many Bantry people living far from home who greatly appreciate what Denis did. He has been a great ambassador for this town, and for all of West Cork and now we would warmly appreciate any donation to help us on our journey to get Denis home.

In the event there are surplus funds on completion we will donate these monies to Bantry Hospice.

Any donation big or small would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.