"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:

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