Dungiven Addiction Support hosts landmark event
“When we founded this group back in March, we could never have imagined where it would take us”
On Thursday, July 30, Dungiven Addiction Support hosted its first major public event – a landmark evening that brought honesty, courage and hope to the heart of the community.
The group welcomed three remarkable sportsmen who shared their deeply personal journeys through addiction, recovery and rebuilding their lives: Domhnall Nugent, Antrim hurler; Ciarán Deery, well‑known within his GAA community and Oisín McConville, Armagh footballer.
The event was hosted by Brendan Mullan, Dungiven native and former Derry dual player, now residing in Galway. Benny, also a mental health advocate and author, led the conversation with empathy and insight. In an act of generosity that moved the room, he gifted every attendee a copy of his new book, “The Upstream Solution.”
As ticket holders arrived, they were welcomed with a selection of delicious canapés kindly donated by Silky’s – a gesture that set the tone for an evening embraced warmly by the community.
“This really was an event welcomed by so many,” said Dungiven Addiction Support Chairperson Carol O’Neill.
“When we founded this group back in March, we could never have imagined where it would take us. From the beginning, our aim was to normalise talking about addiction, making it easier for people to reach out for help. We are very busy listening and signposting those who contact us to suitable professionals, but we also recognise the urgency in bringing these conversations into our communities, our organisations, our homes.”
Carol explained that the committee meets monthly and that, back in June, they set out to create a catalyst event - something that would open doors for honest conversation.
“We discussed various ideas and decided to connect the event to the annual hurling festival week at the end of July. We wanted to empower parents especially, and we felt this was the ideal time to do that. Things came together quickly - it was all hands on deck and we are just delighted with how it went.”
She continued: “Benny was an ideal host, saying what so many of us were thinking but adding his knowledge to the mix. As for Domhnall, Ciarán and Oisín, they were just phenomenal. Their courage, their honesty - journeys all so different, yet so similar, with one very strong conclusion: recovery is possible.”
Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “You could have heard a pin drop,” Carol added.
“So many people said they could identify with what was shared, whether they had experienced addiction themselves or not.”
Vice‑Chair Niall O’Neill closed the event by expressing sincere thanks to the speakers, the host, everyone who bought tickets, those who helped behind the scenes, and the local businesses who contributed.
He reminded attendees of the importance of normalising conversations around addiction, encouraging anyone suffering to reach out for help, and empowering communities through awareness.
“Recovery is always possible,” he said – a message that echoed throughout the hall and out into the community.
Dungiven Addiction Support will continue its work in the months ahead, offering guidance, signposting, community engagement and further events aimed at reducing stigma and strengthening local understanding of addiction.
For more information, please contact Dungiven Addiction Support through their social media channels or local representatives.