Donegal has welcomed its first-ever wellness cafe to provide an open and welcoming space for people to connect and socialise. 

The cafe was launched in the Eatery at An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny on Thursday last, with mental health campaigner Majella O’Donnell visiting to show her support for the initiative.

The cafe will run every Thursday between 10.30-12pm at An Grianan Theatre. 

The idea came from a group of like-minded people with a passion for wellness. The wellness cafe was set up for people to meet up in a relaxed informal space to connect and socialise with an opportunity to participate in workshops and other activities to support their wellbeing and to hear what is happening in your local area. 

Everyone is welcome to the weekly gatherings. You can follow the Facebook page @LetterkennyWellnessCafe for updates.

Photographer Clive Wasson was at An Grianan to capture the atmosphere of the event: 

The Innovation Recovery Project Team pictured at the recovery college prospectus launch are (Back row/left to right): Wendy Risby- Peer Educator, David McBride- Peer Educator, Karen Elliot-Peer Educator, Tracy Gray-Lead Peer Educator
(Front row/left to right): Cathy McCloskey-Innovation Recovery Project Manager, Tina Duffy- Recovery College Coordinator, CAWT Innovation Recovery Project, Edel O’Doherty- Deputy Chief Officer CAWT
at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Enjoying some refreshments at the Letterkenny Wellness Café (L-R): Edel O’Doherty- Deputy Chief Officer CAWT, Cathy McCloskey-Innovation Recovery Project Manager, Raymond Guthrie-Assistant Director of Nursing Donegal Mental Health Services, Tina Duffy- Recovery College Coordinator, CAWT Innovation Recovery Project, John McCardle- Director of Nursing Donegal Mental Health Services at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Letterkenny Wellness Café inaugural sitting at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Marie Duffy Wellness Café Facilitator welcoming attendees at the launch of the Letterkenny Wellness Café at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

(L-R) Marie Duffy, Deirdre McLaughlin, Catriona McMonagle, Noreen McLaughlin -Wellness Café Facilitators and Tina Duffy- Recovery College Coordinator, CAWT Innovation Recovery Project at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Tina Duffy (Recovery College Coordinator, CAWT Innovation Recovery Project) discussing the range of recovery college courses available in the Northwest at the prospectus launch at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Worklink Dungloe Choir ‘Beyond Blue’ entertaining the crowd at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Pictured at the WHSCT recovery college prospectus launch are left to right: Edel O’Doherty- Deputy Chief Officer CAWT, Raymond Guthrie-Assistant Director of Nursing Donegal Mental Health Services, Tina Duffy-Recovery College Coordinator CAWT Innovation Recovery Project, John McCardle- Director of Nursing Donegal Mental Health Services, Cathy McCloskey-Innovation Recovery Project Manager at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson

Representatives from the Letterkenny Wellness Café, the Innovation Recovery Project, CAWT, HSE Donegal Mental Health Services, Mental Health Ireland and Donegal Mind Wellness at the launch of the Wellness Café and Innovation Recovery Autumn/Winter Prospectus at the launch of the new Autumn / Winter 2019 Recovery College prospectus and Wellness Cafe for mental health management at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson