'Brilliant people': Community rallies around Féile O'Sullivan after her devastating accident
Féile O'Sullivan is a much-loved member of the West Cork community. The young girl had what's been described as a 'freak accident' on July 2.
She was lucky to survive, with help from the local emergency services and Cork University Hospital (CUH).
She is now being treated in Dublin, and her mother Maureen has been by her side every step of these terrifying weeks.
A fundraiser set up with support from the family by a local committee through Garnish GAA has already raised over €333,000, but much more will be needed.
Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said: 'It was a freak accident, it happened in a split second. It's very tough on her.'
Féile O'Sullivan from Allihies, Co Cork, before the freak accident on July 2. Picture via Garnish GAA
He explained: 'She's lost both her legs. She is an unbelievably outgoing person, she was playing soccer, rugby, football, horse-riding, the whole thing.'
The fundraising page says farming is in her blood, adding: 'This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.'
Mr Harrington praised local first responders, ambulance crew, fire brigade, and the air ambulance service, which flew her to CUH. He said:
In the beginning, it was touch and go as to whether she was going to live or not.
'She's over that part of it now, which is great.'
She was in CUH for a week before being moved to CHI at Crumlin. Féile is likely to be transferred later to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, also in Dublin. It will mean months away from home for Maureen, a teacher and children's officer with the club.
'Her whole life was turned upside down in one split second,' said Mr Harrington.
"I was speaking to Maureen last night and Féile herself is overwhelmed by the support.
'She is so taken aback by what so many people are doing for her, giving her money and sending emails with messages of goodwill.
'She is so grateful, unbelievably grateful. She's a great girl, to be fair to her.'
Féile O'Sullivan with her mother Maureen O'Sullivan before the Beara teenager lost both her legs in a devastating accident.
Mr Harrington and Garnish GAA secretary Cormac MacMahon are calling on anyone who wants to help to contact them first.
'People are being brilliant. There's fundraisers running here now for the next few months,' he said.
'Anybody who wants to run a fundraiser — a coffee morning, cake sale, vintage tractor run — reach out to us and we'll link into the GoFundMe page.'
The committee is already thinking about adapting the family home, specialist medical equipment, and other challenges.
• You can donate to the Stand for Féile fundraiser by clicking here.
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RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Sporting legends fundraise for girl who lost both legs in farm accident
Sporting legends from across all codes have joined the 'Stand For Féile' fundraiser for a 13-year-old Cork girl who lost both her legs in a farm accident last month. Féile O'Sullivan, from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin in Dubin, following the life-altering incident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. She has undergone around 30 operations and procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He joins GAA stars, including All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum, Cork Senior hurler Patrick Horgan and Clare legend Anthony Daly to post videos of their support online. Féile's club, Garnish GAA, launched the appeal nine days ago with the permission of her family to help raise funds for her rehabilitation in the months and years ahead. So far, the 'Stand for Féile' challenge has raised almost €447,000. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been "phenomenal". "We are a very small club, in a small rural parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, 100 miles from Cork and probably the furthermost pitch from Croke Park. "The family are so grateful for this. We reached out to other GAA clubs in the Beara Division and further afield and to GAA stars, and they've really rowed in behind the challenge." A first year student at Beara Community School, Councillor Harrington says Feile was "an unbelievably outgoing girl, loved sports of all kinds from football to horse riding, loved the outdoors. "This makes it (what has happened) even more difficult for her. "She is going to face the challenge, but she has a long road ahead of her. The funds won't ease the pain of what has happened but it will take away the financial worry for her mum, Maureen". As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Councillor Harrington says every donation "no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care".
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Sporting legends fundraise for girl who lost both legs
Sporting legends from across all codes have joined the 'Stand For Féile' fundraiser for a West Cork girl who lost both her legs in a farm accident last month. Thirteen-year-old Féile O'Sullivan from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin following the life-altering farm accident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries, undergoing some 30 operations & procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He joins GAA stars, including All Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum, Cork Senior hurler Patrick Horgan and Clare legend Anthony Daly to post videos of their support online. Féile's club Garnish GAA launched the appeal 9 days ago with the permission of her family to help raise funds for her rehabilitation in the months and years ahead. So far, the 'Stand for Féila' challenge has raised almost €447,000. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been "phenomenal". "We are a very small club, in a small rural parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, 100 miles from Cork and probably the furthermost pitch from Croke Park. "The family are so grateful for this. We reached out to other GAA clubs in the Beara Division and further afield and to GAA stars, and they've really rowed in behind the challenge." A first year student at Beara Community School, Councillor Harrington says the 13 year old was "an unbelievably outgoing girl, loved sports of all kinds from football to horse riding, loved the outdoors. "This makes it (what has happened) even more difficult for her". "She is going to face the challenge, but she has a long road ahead of her. The funds won't ease the pain of what has happened but it will take away the financial worry for her mum, Maureen". As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Councillor Harrington says every donation "no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care".
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA legends back 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser for West Cork girl who lost both legs in farm accident
A number of prominent GAA stars, including All-Ireland-winning Tipp hurler Darragh Stakelum, Cork corner-back Seán O'Donoghue, and Clare legend Anthony Daly, have joined a fundraiser for a young girl from West Cork who lost both legs in a devastating farm accident. Thirteen-year-old Féile O'Sullivan, from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, remains in hospital following the life-altering accident in early July. She suffered severe lower abdominal injuries and has undergone several operations, including the amputation of both legs. At the start of this month, with her family's support, a local committee led by Garnish GAA set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Féile's rehabilitation in the weeks and months ahead. Remarkably, at the time of writing, the "Stand for Féile" page has raised €421,000 from more than 6,500 donations. A number of GAA stars have also supported the cause, including Cork senior hurlers Alan Connolly, Rob Downey, Patrick Horgan, and Seán O'Donoghue, as well as All-Ireland winner with Tipp, Darragh Stakelum. Some legends of the game have recorded videos of support, including Clare's Anthony Daly and Waterford's John Mullane. Dozens of GAA clubs across Cork, Munster, and beyond have also shared messages of solidarity. You can watch some of the messages of support from GAA stars, past and present, below: The Stand for Féile organisers said anyone lucky enough to know her will tell you "how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is". "She adores dogs and horses. Farming is in her blood, and she loves everything about nature, outdoors, staying active - She's also a true sports star — whether football, soccer, gymnastics, or anything involving movement and fun, Féile is always giving it her all, with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes." They said the accident hasn't changed who she is — only what she now needs. "Her entire family is heartbroken. So is her amazing community, determined to stay strong and support Féile. The emotional and financial toll is enormous. That's why we're reaching out — to ask you to support our incredible girl through her hardest times," the campaign team wrote on the fundraising page. "Every donation — big or small — will go directly towards Féile's care — medical treatment, specialist equipment, home adaptations, all support she'll need now and in the years to come. Even a supportive message or sharing this page can mean the world." • You can donate to the Stand for Féile fundraiser by clicking here/url].
