Wexford woman hits the streets for mini marathon to mark milestone birthday of child that keeps defying the odds
Speaking ahead of the mini marathon, Niamh said, 'We are so proud of Eilish and her family and really want to push ourselves to give back to Jack and Jill. Matthew has continued to defy the odds and given the nature of his condition we know how important it is to the Begley's to celebrate his birthday every month. So, as he approaches his 24 month birthday we would love to mark that milestone by reaching a fundraising target of €2,400.'
Matthew Begley, aged 22 months, lives in Gorey with his mum Eilish, dad John, and big brother Patrick. Born with a rare and complex heart condition, Matthew has no pulmonary artery and lives with a life-limiting diagnosis.
Against all odds, he continues to amaze everyone with his strength, love of the outdoors, and beautiful smile. Since his birth the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation has provided vital in-home nursing support to Matthew.
Sarah, a nurse from Waterford and a long-time friend of Eilish, has seen first-hand just how much the Jack and Jill Foundation means to the Begley family. Wanting to do something meaningful, she rallied her friends Niamh and Sinéad who are also friends with Eilish to join her in running the mini marathon.
Matthew's mum Eilish will also take part in the mini marathon this year alongside her friends, in solidarity for the support her family has received. 'Every moment with Matthew is precious. Jack and Jill give us the gift of time at home together. Taking part in this run is my way of saying thank you—and celebrating how far we've come.'
The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation stepped in when Matthew was just ten days old, making it possible for him to come home from hospital and spend time with his family. Since then, their dedicated nursing support has allowed Eilish and John to care for Matthew at home while also meeting the needs of big brother Patrick.
Running the VHI Women's Mini Marathon is more than a fitness goal for this group, it's a show of friendship, support and community spirit. They're running for Matthew, for Eilish and over 430 families just like the Begleys across Ireland who are supported by the Jack and Jill Foundation.
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Sunday World
04-08-2025
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The Journal
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Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Irish Times
The best fake tan products for a summer glow
Step into any chemist or beauty retailer in Ireland and you'll find whole aisles dedicated to bronzing products, with application mitts stacked high at the checkout and self-tanners occupying prime retail space. Ireland has the highest per capita use of fake tan in the world, according to a 2022 study conducted at University Hospital Galway and published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. In 2023, Primark's Pulse of the Nation report revealed that the Irish market accounted for a staggering 60 per cent of their global fake tan sales. We are, it seems, deeply committed to the glow. Why the obsession? Is it our lack of consistent sunshine? Our growing awareness of the risks associated with UV exposure? Or simply the confidence boost that comes with a bronzed glow? Whatever the reasons, fake tan has firmly secured its place in Irish beauty routines (including mine). Over the past decade, the category has thankfully undergone a transformation. 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Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops, €39 from Boots These are technically made for the face; you can use them on the body too, but it's not exactly cost-effective given the small size and price. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops (€40, Brown Thomas) have become my go-to whenever I want to warm up my complexion without committing to fake tan. They're basically bronzing drops that you can mix with whatever you're already using – moisturiser, foundation, serums – and they're completely customisable. Add more drops for a deeper tone, fewer for a subtle glow. What I love most is that they wash off easily with your make-up at the end of the day – no commitment, no patchy fade. They're a staple for those times when your face needs to catch up with your faux-tanned body (or neck, or chest – and wherever else is on show). St Tropez Luxe Body Serum St. Tropez Luxe Body Serum, €41.99 from St Tropez Luxe Body Serum (€42.99, Boots) remains a constant in my routine because it's so easy to use. I call this my lazy-girl tan – not only because it's quick and effortless to apply (it feels like a lovely, lightweight body serum), but also because it's one of the few tans that doesn't need to be washed off. After a few hours it develops into a gorgeous, natural-looking bronzed hue, with no heavy scent. This is a product you can slap on, forget about, and trust to do its thing. No rinsing, no fuss, and it stays in place for a good 10 days, fading evenly with zero patchiness. Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse, €28 from Recently launched, Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse (€28, is already high on my hit list thanks to its forgiving formula and elevated, grown-up aesthetic. 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Available in both matt and shimmer finishes, and in two shades (Light and Medium), this is the perfect pick if you don't want to commit to a developing tan or only need to bronze up specific areas like your neck, chest, hands, arms, or ankles. It's also brilliant for covering up any missed patches from previous tans. The formula is creamy and blends beautifully into the skin. While it might look thick coming out of the tube, it thins out and disappears into the skin within seconds. I'd recommend using a buffing brush for application as opposed to a mitt – it makes the process much quicker and more even. Sol De Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil, €35 from Brown Thomas Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil (€35, Brown Thomas) is a swoon-worthy product. This shimmer-loaded dry oil hydrates the skin beautifully and leaves a luminous, light-reflecting sheen. It's especially stunning layered over an existing tan. Thanks to its moisturising, antioxidant-rich formula, it also helps to keep your tan looking fresh, even, and glowy for longer. I sometimes mix a drop into my foundation to dial up the glow across my face, neck, and chest. This week I'm loving… Burberry Goddess Burberry Goddess, €118 for 50ml at Brown Thomas As cliched as 'summer in a bottle' may sound, it's the only fitting way to describe Burberry's delicious fragrance, Goddess (€118 for 50ml, Brown Thomas). It's vanilla, vanilla, and more vanilla – but in the best possible way, woven together with lavender, ginger and cacao. The result is a rich gourmand scent that's creamy, warm, soft, and a little bit smoky – like a summer evening wrapped in a blanket as the sun sets.
