Noel’s memorial golf raises another €18,000 for St Michael’s House

The legacy of one of north Dublin’s most tireless fundraisers was celebrated as he would have wanted it last week, with a charity golf classic which has now raised over €165,000 for St Michael’s House in 14 years.

The Noel Hughes Memorial Golf Classic in aid of St Michael’s House commemorates a man who single-handedly raised over €100,000 for the charity through ten enjoyable annual golf classics.

Much-loved Donabate member Noel passed away in 2021 and it was his wish that his family and friends carry on his fundraising efforts for the charity.

124 golfers and friends of the charity teed off in 31 teams to support the sun-kissed annual memorial event at Donabate Golf Club last week, resulting in over €18,000 being collected for the charity this year.

Service users and staff from St Michael’s House An Caislean and Sallowood units at the Noel Hughes Memorial Golf Classic in aid of St Michael’s House in Donabate Gold Club. Picture credit: Fintan Clarke\Coalesce

“The classic was originally organised by Noel from Grange Park, to raise funds for his son Kevin’s residential home at Sallowood, Santry Avenue, and An Caislean Day Service, which he attends in Coolock,” said his son Darren (pictured above with his brother Kevin).

“We, and many other families like us, are indebted to St Michael’s House for the work that they do.

“The Manning and Whelan families have also worked tirelessly in supporting this classic.

“This classic provides practical help – this year we will be purchasing much-needed exercise equipment and providing much needed holidays for service users, and we were thrilled to see some of the service users from An Caislean arrive in a van which we financed.

“On behalf of my mam Pauline and my two brothers, I’d like to thank Kevin’s care workers, and all of our friends and club colleagues who supported the classic – with special thanks to his friend Pat McNeill who did so much to make the day a success.

“Thanks to his pals, his very dear long-term supporters and Donabate Golf Club, we as a family are committed to keeping the classic going on an annual basis.”

John Galvin, David McCabe, Gerard Keane and Turlough Galvin at the Noel Hughes Memorial Golf Classic in aid of St Michael’s House in Donabate Gold Club.
Pic: Fintan ClarkeCoalesce

Margaret Maher, Mary Tobin, Eithne Dempsey and Grainne Synnott at the Noel Hughes Memorial Golf Classic in aid of St Michael’s House in Donabate Gold Club.
Pic: Fintan ClarkeCoalesce

Darren Tyndall, Ken Newman, Darren Hughes and Gerry Lennon at the Noel Hughes Memorial Golf Classic in aid of St Michael’s House in Donabate Gold Club.
Pic: Fintan ClarkeCoalesce

Darren also thanked the many commercial supporters of the classic, including Bewley’s Grafton Street, Ad Vantage Media and Boann Distillery and announced that next year’s classic will be held on Friday Sept 5, 2025.

St Michael’s House provides a range of services to 2,300 children and adults with an intellectual disability in over 170 centres in the Greater Dublin Area and Navan in Co Meath.

Jonathan Power from St Michael’s House Foundation praised Noel’s legacy and fundraising work over the years.

“Noel was a real hero. Every year he worked tirelessly, and enthusiastically to raise funds for our services – always with a special welcome for everyone and a smile on his face.

“We at St Michael’s House will be forever grateful to him for his energy, enthusiasm and genuine interest in helping our staff and the services that they provide.”The golf classic was won on 98 points by Sandra Walsh, Cath Walsh, Grainne O’Hara and Niamh O’Hare.

In second place, on 87 points were: Jack O’Driscoll, Colin O’Driscoll, Rory O’Brien and Paddy Whearty.

Joe Dempsey, John Timmons, Peter Ferrari, Darren Dempsey came third with 85 points on a back nine countback.

The ladies team prize was won by Mary Tobin, Margaret Maher, Grainne Synnott, Eithne Dempsey on 84 points.