"Peer-to-peer support fosters resilience and confidence. It turns our shared vulnerability into empowerment and we can gain strength from the place we normally feel weak." — Kim Vlasnik, "Texting My Pancreas"
We have a resource at our fingertips that is HUGELY valuable: each other. Thanks to the use of social media, it has never been easier to find more people with diabetes.
This is a list of all the diabetes support groups in Ireland, in person and online, that Thriveabetes is aware of. All groups, unless otherwise stated, are private and closed groups, meaning only those who join the groups see the posts. If you know of others, please let them know to contact us at info@Thriveabetes.ie so we can add them.
Find your Tribe:
Specific Interest groups such as Pregnancy, exercise, eating disorders, etc
Groups for All
Diabetes in Ireland Facebook Group - Online
This is a private Facebook group for people with diabetes living in Ireland of all types. The group offers support and allows members to share their experiences, challenges, and concerns in a friendly and safe environment where they are able to speak freely and with the knowledge that they will be respected. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Diabetes Community Ireland Facebook Group
This group was requested by People with diabetes so they could talk freely, have a rant, share tips and tricks and support and help each other. This is no medical advice; we are not experts, just experienced. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Adults Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Clare: Adults with Type 1 in-person Support Group
The Clare type 1 diabetes support group is for Adults living with Type 1 over 16 years, and for Parents of Children with Type 1. Supported by the Clare branch of Diabetes Ireland. The group paused meetings during the pandemic but plans to restart in September 2024. Contact Information: Email: DiabetesinClare@gmail.ie
Clare: County Clare T1 Diabetes group - Facebook group
Private group for Adults and Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes in Clare. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Cork Type 1 Adults Support Group
This group is led by volunteers living in the Cork area. They meet up in person and maintain a WhatsApp group. It is supported by the Cork Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Diabetes Ireland Cork Office: Telephone: 021 4274229 / Email sro@diabetes.ie
Cork Type 1 Young Adult
(Unsure if this group is still active)
This group is organised & run by the Southern Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland in Cork. This group is for young adults aged between 18 and 23 years. Supported by the Southern Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Diabetes Ireland Cork Office: Telephone: 021 4274229 / Email sro@diabetes.ie
Donegal Diabetes Support group
Donegal Diabetes Support has been around for decades. This Facebook group has been new since September 2023, making contacting them easier. The group is for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their carers who live in Donegal. This group intends to arrange informal in-person meetings if there is enough interest. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Dublin: Type 1 Diabetic Dublin Support Group
This group meets virtually via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month and organises twice-yearly social meetups. To receive the Zoom link to the meetings, email us in advance. They also have a Facebook Group. Contact Information: Email: t1diabetic.dublin@gmail.com or Link to Facebook Group
Galway T1 Diabetes Support
This group no longer meets in person, but their Facebook group is still active. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Kerry Type 1 Diabetes Support Group
This is a closed Facebook group for people living with type 1 diabetes in Co. Kerry. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Laois Portlaoise Type 1 Adults Support
A support group for Type 1 Diabetics based in and around County Laois usually meets on the last Monday of the month in Portlaoise. Contact Information: WhatsApp: 086 0649017 / Link to Facebook Group
Limerick Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Support Group
This group is an informal meeting of adults with type 1 diabetes to discuss living with diabetes, specialising in the three "C": Community, Cake, & Coffee. This group meets every second month in the "Off the Bone" restaurant at the South Court Hotel in Limerick city and every other month online. Contact Information: Email: diabeteslimerick@gmail.com or Link to Facebook Group
Louth type 1 diabetes 🇮🇪
This group was formed in June 2021. Organises in-person meet-ups regularly. Contact Information: Link to the Facebook group
Mayo Type 1 Diabetes Support
This is a support group of new and experienced Type 1 diabetics in the Mayo area. The group does not offer specific medical advice but does offer support to each other with our own experiences, ideas, etc. Contact Information: WhatsApp: 0879221131 / Email: type1mayo@gmail.com
Tipperary: Type 1 - Insulin Dependant Diabetic Support Group in Nenagh Co. Tipperary
(Unsure if this group is still active) This is a Public Facebook Page link to the group, which means posts are seen publicly outside of the group page.
This group is based in Nenagh Co. Tipperary. This is a group for those with a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent) and their friends & family. Contact Information: Emma on 086-3195081 or Jenny on 083-8005652 / Link to Facebook Page
Waterford Diabetes Support
This is a Public Facebook Page link to the group, which means posts are seen publicly outside of the group page.
Community Facebook page for people with diabetes attending University Hospital Waterford. Contact Information: Link to Facebook page
Wexford Diabetes Support Group
This group was in the early stages of setting up when the Coronavirus put a pause on it. However, they stay in touch via WhatsApp and their Facebook Group. Contact Information: Telephone / WhatsApp: 086 7753148, Email: diabeteswex@gmail.com and Link to Facebook Group
Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes
Irish Type 2 Diabetes Support: Online only
This is a private Facebook group where people can ask questions to find more information from people with type 2 diabetes on living well with type 2. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Clare Type 2 Support Group
The group paused meetings during the pandemic and had planned to resume in September 2024. However, due to the lack of volunteers to organise events, these are unable to commence.
Cork Type 2 Diabetes Support
This group is organised & run by the Southern Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland in Cork. Contact Information: Diabetes Ireland Cork Office: Telephone: 021 4274229 / Email sro@diabetes.ie
Donegal Diabetes Support group
Donegal Diabetes Support has been around for decades. However, their Facebook group was created in September 2023 to make it easier to contact them. The group is for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their carers who live in Donegal. This group does intend to arrange informal in person meets up if there is enough interest. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group
Kerry Type 2 Diabetes Group
The Kerry Diabetes Group are based in Killarney and holds meetings with health professionals as speakers. Contact Information: Catherine on email: kerrydiabetics@gmail.com
Parents and Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Parents of Children & Teens with Type 1 Diabetes in Ireland: Online only
This national and private Facebook group is specifically for parents of children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes to connect and share information with each other from all over the country. Contact Information: Link to Private Facebook Group
Children with both Coeliac disease & Type 1 Diabetes in Ireland: Online only
This group provides practical and emotional support and an open and non judgemental platform for discussions and chat to parents of children with a diagnosis of more than one of these autoimmune diseases. Contact Information: Link to Private Facebook Group
Diabetes Ireland’s Sweetpea Kids Club
While this isn’t a group specifically to support parents, it is a place that provides an opportunity to meet other parents in person. The Sweetpea Kidz Club events, such as Christmas parties, summer picnics, panto trips, etc., are organised by Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Email info@diabetes.ie / Telephone: 01 8428118
Carlow Kilkenny Type 1 Diabetes Parent Support Group
This is a support group for parents/carers of children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. Contact Information: Link to Private Facebook Group
Clare/Limerick Parents of Type1's
Facebook group for Parents of children with Type 1 diabetes in the Clare / Limerick area. No longer arranging meet ups but still active online. Contact Information: Email: parentstype1clarelimerick@hotmail.com / Link to Private Facebook Group
Cork Parents Support Group
This group is organised & run by the Cork Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland. They organise regular meetings for parents and events for children. Contact Information: Diabetes Ireland Cork, Telephone: 021 4274229 / Email sro@diabetes.ie
Cork Time to Talk Teens groups
This group is organised & run by the Cork Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Diabetes Ireland Cork, Telephone: 021 4274229 / Email sro@diabetes.ie
Cork Type 1 Diabetes Parents Alliance, Cork University Hospital (Advocacy Group)
This group is made up of parents with a child/children currently attending the paediatric diabetes clinic at CUH. Their mission is to ensure that every child with Type 1 Diabetes in the region has access to the highest standards of clinical care and research at Cork University Hospital. Contact Information: Stephen O'Callaghan Email: Stephen@t1d.ie / Link to Private Facebook Group
Derry Type One Club (Public Page)
The T1 Club Children’s Diabetes Group is Northern Ireland’s first Independent Children’s Diabetes Group, set up by parents and based in Derry. They arrange monthly meet-ups and activities during school holidays. Contact Information: Website: www.t1club.co.uk / Link to Public Facebook Page: @TypeOneClub / Link to Twitter: @TheT1Club
Donegal Parents Support Group
This group meets every couple of months, plus they organise a children's Christmas party and an annual family weekend. Some of these events are organised by the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Email: donegalparents.diabetessupport@gmail.com / Link to Private Facebook Group
Dublin Type 1 Parents
(unsure if this group still meets in person) The Dublin Type 1 Parents group usually meet every second month in Grumpy McClafferty's Bar, The Plaza Hotel, Tallaght at 8pm. They also have a Facebook group for communication. This group is supported by Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Jenny on Tel: 086 818 4687 / Email: jenny.dunbar@diabetes.ie / Link to Private Facebook Group
Galway Parents Group
Unsure if this group still meets up (Updated 16/9/2021) The Galway parents group meet in The Maldron Hotel, Oranmore (Carrowmoneash roundabout) for a casual cuppa on the 3rd Thursday of every month. No known Contact Information
Kerry Type 1 Diabetes Support Group
This is a closed Facebook group for people living with type 1 diabetes in Co. Kerry. This group is intended as a networking and support group for all Type 1 Diabetics in Kerry. Mums & Dads of Type 1 children can learn a lot from Type 1 adolescents, and we welcome all Type 1's to this group to share their experiences and share in the support on offer. Contact Information: Link to Private Facebook Group
Kildare Type 1 Parents' Support
(unsure if this group still meets in person) This group meets on the first Monday of every second month at Keadeen Hotel, Kildare at 8pm. Contact Information: Trina Tel: 087 2288104
Laois Portlaoise Type 1 Parents' Support
Renamed: Midlands Type 1 Diabetes Parents Support Group; see this entry for more information.
Limerick, Clare & Tipperary Parents & Families Support Group
Unsure if meetups have resumed. This group organises get-togethers for parents of children with T1 diabetes around Tipperary/Limerick/Clare. Adults with Type 1 are also welcome. They meet 4 times in the year and just have a chat and a cuppa so it’s all very informal but a lot of parents find it very beneficial. They also organise information talks and family events. This group is supported by Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Dominic Email: limerickparentssupportgroup@diabetes.ie
Limerick: JT1D University Hospital Limerick Parents Committee
This group is for parents of children attending the paediatric diabetes clinic in University Hospital Limerick and organising events for children as well as fundraising for the paediatric diabetes clinic. Supported by the ULH Paediatric Diabetes team. Contact Information: Email: jt1d.uhlcommittee@gmail.com / Link to WhatsApp Group / Link to Public Facebook Page: @JT1D.UHLCommittee
Louth; Drogheda
This group is no longer active
Midlands Type 1 Diabetes Parents Support Group
(Unsure if this group is still active) Parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes. Affiliated to Diabetes Ireland. This page is to promote information and support to parent's of Type 1 Diabetic children in Laois and the surrounding area. They meet once a month in Portlaoise, and new members are always welcome. Contact Information: Joe Tel: 0876758971 / Email joebarry37@eircom.net / Link to Facebook Page (public) @DiabetesLaoisBranch
Mayo Diabetes Parents Support
(Unsure if this group is still active) This Facebook page doesn’t seem to be active but maybe the group still is. Contact Information: Caroline Tel: 086 1717230 / Link to Public Facebook Page: @MayoSupportGroupforChildrenwithDiabetes
Mayo Type 1 diabetes: Parent support and meet-ups
This is a group for parents of children with Type 1 diabetes to share information and support and to organise meet-ups in Co. Mayo. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Group (private): Co. Mayo Type 1 diabetes: Parent support and meet ups
Sligo/Leitrim Parents Support
(Unsure if this group is still active) The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 8pm. Exchange information and ideas and have a cuppa and a chat. Venue may vary. This group is supported by the Western/Sligo Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland. Contact Information: Tel: 086 3754856 / Email: type1ParentsSligoLeitrim@gmail.com Or Diabetes Ireland Sligo office: 071 914 6001
Waterford Parents Group
The Waterford branch of Diabetes Ireland organises events for both children and parents on a regular basis. Contact the Diabetes Clinic in Waterford Hospital for more information
Westmeath Parents' Group
Renamed, see the Midlands Parents group entry for more information.
Wexford Parents Support Group
This parents support group is for patients of Wexford General Hospital only. They organise children’s events and activities through the clinic. Contact Information: Diabetes Clinic Wexford General Hospital for more information
Type 1 teen outings
(Unsure if this group is still active) Contact Information: Link to Private Facebook Group
Specific Interest groups
The following groups were created by people from the community who felt there was a need for people to have groups with specialist interests and include CGM and Insulin pump users groups, Exercise, Female-related diabetes health issues such as pregnancy and menopause, coeliac disease, and more.
Miscellaneous
Babysitters & Childminders: Exchange and Support - Type1 Diabetes Babysitters in Ireland. Link to Private Facebook Group
Coeliac: Children with both Coeliac disease & Type 1 Diabetes in Ireland. To provide practical and emotional support and an open and non-judgemental platform for discussions and chat with parents of children with a diagnosis of more than one of these autoimmune diseases. Link to Private Facebook Group
Cooking: Diabetic Foodies Ireland. A closed chat group for people who love to cook here Link to Facebook Group
Eating disorders: T1ED UK and Ireland is a Private Facebook peer support group for anyone in the UK dealing with type 1 diabetes and eating disorders. Link to Facebook Group: @T1EDUK
CGM or Flash Users Groups
Dexcom Ireland Users; A closed group for people using the Dexcom CGMs living in Ireland. Link to Private Facebook Group
Freestyle Libre Users – Ireland: A closed group for people using the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitors living in Ireland. Link to Facebook Group
Insulin Pump Users Groups
Tandem Insulin Pump Ireland: Private group of people who are interested in learning more about the Tandem Insulin pump or are using the Tandem system and living in Ireland. Link to Facebook Group
YpsoPump Ireland: Private group of people who are interested in learning more about the YspoPump Insulin pump or are using the Ypsopump system and living in Ireland. Link to Facebook Group
DIY: Looped Ireland: For people using/interested in using Loop or DIY OpenAps in Ireland. Link to Facebook Group
DIY: Nightscout Ireland: For people interested in CGM in the Cloud or the #WeAreNotWaiting community. Link to Facebook Group
Female Related diabetes groups
Type1 diabetes, conception, pregnancy & motherhood in Ireland. Link to Facebook Page
Gestational Diabetes In Ireland Support. Link to Facebook Group
Pregnancy - Type1 Supermoms - Type 1 Diabetic Mothers in Ireland. This Private Facebook group is for postpartum for mums with type 1 diabetes in Ireland run by mothers with type 1 diabetes. Link to Facebook Group
Menopausal Mithers: Peer support for those with diabetes going through menopause - all types of diabetes, all stages of menopause. Link to Twitter Page: @MenopauseMither / WhatsApp: 087 1335947
Exercise Groups
Blood Tests, Sweat & Tears: private Facebook group to share information, questions and experiences regarding exercising with Diabetes. Also, a support group to provide encouragement and motivation to others. Link to Facebook Group
Irish Adults with Type 1 Diabetes - Exercise Challenge Group. Link to Facebook Group
DiaEuro Ireland Futsal Club (Public Page) DiaEuro Ireland Futsal Club compete in the DiaEuro Futsal International competition, and They have a Facebook page and Twitter feed. Contact Information: Link to Facebook Page: @DiaEuroIreland / Link to Twitter: @DiaEuroI