DONEGAL companies are supporting Palestine by stocking a drinks brand that was set up to raise money for charities in the warzone.
The firms in Donegal include businesses such as cafes, restaurants, tourism attractions, and community enterprises like local cinemas.
They are based across the county, from Donegal Town to Fanad to Inishowen to Ardara and Arranmore.
Palestine Drinks Ireland told the Donegal News that “there are more coming on board every day”.
Some of the local businesses spoke this week to outline their support for Palestine and also to express opposition to a growing campaign that calls on the Football Association of Ireland to boycott a UEFA soccer match against Israel.
The conflict in Gaza followed an attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, and has since resulted in the deaths of an estimated 73,000 victims and injured another 172,411 Palestinian wounded, according to international figures.
Palestine Cola.
Palestine Drinks Ireland provides Donegal firms with beverages like Palestine Cola, Palestine Lemon and Lime, and Palestine Energy drinks.
Michael McLaughlin at Buncrana Cinema told Donegal News: “We have Palestine Cola here and it’s going good, although it’s not as popular as the famous brand. They’re the same price.
“We recently hosted a Palestine event night here to highlight what’s going on in Palestine. As long as we can continue to see Palestine Cola, we will stock it.
“There were over 100 people at the event. There is great support locally for Palestine. People at our event were showing how some countries are supporting Israel.
“They got to see what’s going on through a Palestinian’s eyes.”
Palestine Drinks Ireland spokesperson Darragh Walsh listed the names of several Donegal firms and said: “We have some new products and flavours coming on market this summer.”
Darragh has spearheaded the Irish distribution operation in Naas, Co Kildare, since last September 2025.
He said: “I watched the daily news coverage from Palestine with growing shock and disbelief.
“The images were relentless — injured children, grieving parents, entire communities devastated.
“As a father of a young child, those images did not feel distant or abstract. They felt personal. They stayed with me long after the television was turned off.
“Thousands of lives were being lost, and yet from Ireland, it seemed there was nothing practical I could do.
“Palestine Drinks Ireland is not a business just about beverages.
“We cannot solve a humanitarian crisis alone. But we can refuse to stand by in silence.
“Palestine Drinks Ireland exists because doing nothing was not an option.”
He added: “Every can purchased offers hope, hope to build a future for the Palestinian people, hope to provide the desperately needed aid.
“Every cent you spend helps. When we come together as a people we are stronger. Our goal is to unite and help the Palestinian people.
“We would encourage you to join with us in that goal. Every sale of Palestinian Drinks is a step towards empowerment.
“Spread the word. All 100% of the manufacturer’s profits of Palestine Drinks go directly to charities on the ground in Palestine.”
Meanwhile, a protest was scheduled outside the Dail on Tuesday to protest against the Ireland men’s senior soccer team playing against Israel.
The countries are scheduled to face each other twice in a matter of weeks in just four months’ time.
European football body UEFA wants Ireland to play Israel on September 27 and then to host the Israelis in Dublin on October 4 as part of the latest Nations League campaign.
But people like Michael McLaughlin of Buncrana Cinema told Donegal News: “I don’t think it should go ahead. I don’t think Israel should be allowed to play.”
After the draw was made, the FAI announced in February past that it had “no choice” but to play Israel.
However, former League of Ireland professional footballer Daniel Ennis, who was recently as a Social Democrats TD in a Dublin by-election, has vowed to boycott the match.
He said: “Football and sport is a universal language built on respect. How can you stand shoulder to shoulder right up against a genocidal regime.
“Your sporting governing body should be stepping in, and in that case, that’s the FAI, and that should be supported by the Government.”
Members of the public can buy Palestine Cola in businesses around Donegal and also purchase it online, with packs of 24 costing from €25 to €28.60.