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Roy and Keano join forces with Park2Travel to support life-changing Guide Dog Day, Friday 23 May 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has announced Park2Travel as the official sponsor of its annual national fundraising day, Guide Dog Day, taking place on Friday, 23 May 2025.

Launched by the charity’s ambassador Roy Keane, Guide Dog Day will see communities across the country come together through fundraising collections, Take the Lead Walks, and a special competition to win dinner with the football legend.

All funds raised will go directly towards transforming lives by providing highly trained service dogs, giving people with visual impairments, children with autism, and students greater independence and mobility.

To support Guide Dog Day sponsored by Park2Travel, register for a Take the Lead Walk, make a donation, or enter the draw for dinner with Roy Keane, visit here. Tickets cost €10 or 6 for €50. Tickets only available online.

Joining Roy Keane at the launch was Assistance Dog Keano, who has had a profound impact on the Ahern family from Cork.

Niamh Ahern, whose son Aaron is partnered with Keano, said, “Aaron is so content with Keano by his side—his confidence and independence have soared. Family outings, which were once overwhelming, are now filled with joy. Walks, trips to restaurants, even visits to the barbers—these are now positive, shared experiences. Keano has opened doors to a new world for us. We never leave home without him. He has changed all our lives, and we’re incredibly grateful to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.”

Tim O'Mahony, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, underscored the growing urgency for support:

"Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity shown on Guide Dog Day, we successfully created many life-changing partnerships — matching 48 Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs and placing 5 Community Dogs in schools and facilities nationwide. But the need is growing fast. It costs approximately €53,000 to breed, train, and care for just one service dog. This year, we’re calling on the public to help us reach our goal of transforming the lives of 70 more families across Ireland. Over the next decade, the number of school-aged children with autism is expected to rise by over 30%. That means the demand for our service dogs will far surpass our current capacity. Without increased support, we won’t be able to keep up. Together, we can ensure that no family is left waiting for the life-changing impact of a service dog."

Current status:

• 3 litters born so far in 2025 as part of the growing Breeding Programme.

• 105 puppies currently being puppy raised by dog lovers in homes across Ireland.

• 38 pups undergoing formal training who will hopefully be successfully matched in the coming months.

• 50 families on the waiting list for an Assistance Dog.

Park2Travel – Parking for Pups

As part of its sponsorship, Park2Travel is donating €1 from every parking booking made in May at the newly opened 6000+ space car park, located just 1.9km or 6 minutes, from Dublin airport, and with a free 24/7 shuttle service operating to both terminals 1 and 2 every 12 minutes.

Customers can pre-book their parking online at Park2Travel.ie and can secure a space anywhere from 2 hours to a whole year in advance.

In addition, Park2Travel is investing in accessibility training for all its Dublin-based staff, while shuttle bus drivers will undertake specialist training to ensure they can provide the best possible assistance to Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners when they’re travelling to and from the terminals.

Neil Cunningham, Managing Director at Park2Travel, commented, “We are delighted to support Guide Dog Day and help raise vital funds to support their fantastic work. Our team will be supporting collections and walks across the country. By investing in accessibility, we hope to ensure that all users, Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners, can travel with confidence and ease when using our facility. “

Together, we can Take the Lead and change lives.

END

Photos by John Allen Photography