Latest news with #FéileO'Sullivan
Extra.ie
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Sport legends fundraise for Cork girl who lost legs on farm
Irish sporting icons have been fundraising for a 13-year-old Cork girl who lost both of her legs in a farm accident. The 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser has been joined by a broad range of sports stars after Féile O'Sullivan suffered the life-altering incident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. Féile, who is from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, currently remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin in Dublin. Féile lost her legs in a farm accident. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser. She has undergone around 30 operations and procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and seasoned rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He has joined with a number of GAA stars, including Cork's Patrick Horgan, All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum and Clare legend Anthony Daly, in posting 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. The fundraiser has raised over €468,000 so far. The accident occurred just before Féile's 13th birthday and she has shown 'great strength and bravery' in the weeks since. Féile will require intensive care for months, followed by intensive rehabilitation, and a complete adjustment to a new way of life. The fundraiser states: 'Anyone lucky enough to know Féile 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. 'This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.' Féile will require intensive care and rehabilitation. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser Féile's family, along with her community, are all 'heartbroken' and are preparing for the 'enormous' emotional and financial toll. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been 'phenomenal'. He remarked: '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.' As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Harrington added that Féile is a 'unbelievably outgoing girl' and that every donation 'no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care'. He said: '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.' People can donate here.
Irish Independent
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Appeal for girl (13) who lost both legs after farm accident soars past €300,000
Féile O'Sullivan (13) was critically injured in an accident involving a tractor last month – and suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. She was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where doctors fought to save her. Ultimately, the Beara girl had to have both of her legs amputated. Special vigils were held across west Cork as people prayed for the recovery of the little girl as she remained in a critical condition. Féile has defied the odds and is now recovering thanks to the skill of doctors in Cork and Dublin. She is currently being treated in a specialist unit at a Dublin hospital – but is already determined to return to her Beara home. Her west Cork community launched a fundraiser to assist her and her family – and the reaction has stunned everyone involved. In just over a week, the appeal has raised €301,000 – with over €100,000 being donated in the first 48 hours alone. The fundraising campaign is supported by Garnish GAA, Allihies Hall, Allihies Men's Shed, Beara United and Beara LGFA. Appeal organisers said the community was determined to do something to assist the well-respected family after the shocking accident. Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is 'Just before her 13th birthday, our amazing Féile was in a serious farm accident, changing her life in ways no child should ever have to face,' an appeal organiser explained. 'She is currently hospitalised in critical condition, showing great strength and bravery. Our beautiful Féile has been involved in a life-changing farm accident, leaving her in critical condition in hospital. In a moment, her world was turned upside down – she suffered severe lower abdomen injuries and underwent a double leg amputation. 'Anyone lucky enough to know Féile 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 and 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. This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.' The community wants to help her family with future medical costs, rehabilitation and home adaptations. 'The journey ahead will be long and challenging. Féile has had extensive surgeries and battled hard to still be with us. She will face many more surgeries to help her,' the organiser added. The appeal is now at 60pc of the €500,000 target.
Irish Examiner
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Brilliant people': Community rallies around Féile O'Sullivan after her devastating accident
A 13-year-old 'great girl' from Allihies on the Beara peninsula who lost both legs in a devastating farm accident is facing a changed life as her community rallies around in support. 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.
