Latest news with #Féileacáin
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
'It's been very healing': Cork man's 170km walk raises over €19k for parental bereavement charities
Content advisory: this article deals with infant loss and parental bereavement. Each of us has lost someone we've loved — and felt the impact of their presence, no matter how brief, continue to resonate. Last week, Cork man Finbarr Buttimer, honouring the life of his daughter Nóra, set out on a journey to raise funds for the organisations that provided he and his fiancée with critical support when it was needed most. Trekking the full 170 kilometres between Cork city and Dingle, Co Kerry, Buttimer initially sought to raise €2000 for parental bereavement charities Féileacáin and FirstLight. As of Monday morning, the support and solidarity he's received from the wider community has seen that figure reach nearly ten times that amount, as he continues to document his journey on Instagram. "This is a walk to Dingle for my daughter, Nóra, who sadly passed away six months ago," Buttimer told the Irish Examiner on Friday. "She was a healthy baby, but when she was born, there were complications around her birth, and sadly, 12 days later, she passed away. "Over that six month period, my fiancée Mae and I have had to rebuild our lives, and the two charities that I've decided to raise for played a huge role in that. "The first one is FirstLight. They're a long-running charity, involved in providing crisis intervention and grief counselling for bereaved parents, at any age or any stage of their grief or of their loss, and they were there to help us with that immediate support, which was vital. " Féileacáin, then, has been like our community. They're another parental bereavement group who help with advocacy, who help create things like memory boxes, for example. "We have some mementoes of Nóra at home that Féilecáin have put together - a lock of her hair, and other very nice pieces that we really cherish, and remind us of her. "They also run a very active five-a-side soccer group for dads, run tournaments around the country, and for me personally, they've been an amazing source of strength and community, because I feel less alone. I feel like I'm with people who understand what the experience is like whenever I'm playing with them. "They run other groups as well, like pregnancy after loss groups, and support groups for children and families who have lost [loved ones]. There are so many other charities and groups who are also involved in this space, like Bumbleance, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, and LauraLynn." Finbarr Buttimer, under the Shandon Bells as his walk from Cork to Dingle got underway last week. For Finbarr, choosing to excur to Dingle from his hometown of Cork City was a matter of fulfilling a personal wish for his daughter. "It's a place that I would have gone on holidays a lot as a child growing up, and it's a place that I always wanted to bring Nóra, so I'll bring her with me in spirit. "The reason I'm doing a walk is because I like to do these long-distance walks; in 2022 I did the Via Francigena, the Camino from Canterbury in England to Rome, I did that over three months, then in 2023, I walked from Cork to Rosslare to raise money for Simon Community and the Nasc migrant rights centre in Cork. "So it felt right that, in order to mark Father's Day, to mark six months since Nóra's passing, that we would hold this event. And the response has been absolutely amazing." It might not have been Finbarr's first long-distance walk, but any such undertaking brings with it a certain degree of preparation and training, and this journey has been no exception. "I learned a lot about walking in Ireland from the trip to Rosslare. Having lightweight gear is important, having good shoes is important, and not carrying too much food or water is actually an important thing. "But then the other thing, obviously, is this isn't a typical walking trail. I did, beforehand, have to do a lot [of prep], I had to look at a lot of maps. I had to look at what roads are quietest, what times would have been quietest. "Also, I've been camping the whole way, and so at the first night, for example, I was relying on the kindness of strangers to allow me to camp in some farmer's field or in a forest somewhere. "A lovely couple, and I would like to mention them, Fiona and Brian on the Butter Road. They let me camp in their garden, they said, 'look, it's no problem', and gave me tea and cakes and everything. "It was so generous of them to see this random man show up, for them to give me that shelter there for the night." Moving out from the city and into the countryside has brought with it its own set of considerations, but also, helped set a tone for the weekend legs of Finbarr's journey, and helped bring his focus to the purpose of his excursion. "Once you get outside of the city, there's a lot of industrial and farm traffic. Once I got past Tower and onto the Butter Road and beyond, it became quieter, and as I came up by Bailinagree, one or two cars would pass every hour, then roads would turn into boreens, and boreens would turn into boreens with the green strip down the middle. "Then it became really idyllic Irish countryside, where I could focus less on having to stay in on the side of the road with cars going past, and I could look up around the landscape. It was like the Boggeragh mountains and Millstreet, and the reeks in the distance, Claragh mountain. "I think because of the rain earlier in June and the sunshine now, there's a real lushness to the landscape, and a lot of the hedgerows are in bloom. It's just unbelievably idyllic, and it's been very healing. "From that point of view. It's kind-of like a green bath, or, I don't know what the term is... we're surrounded by nature, and you feel a real sense of peace about you. "It's just a whole different perspective on on Ireland, really, and on the landscape. And it makes me appreciate it a whole lot more. "All along the way, I'm thinking of Nóra. The word 'féileacáin' means 'butterflies' [in Irish], and in Irish mythology, butterflies represent the souls of relatives that have passed, who have come to visit and reassure you that everything's okay. "I'm always seeing butterflies, and robins remind me of her as well, and they're all along the road, so I feel that she's with me, and I know that she'll be with me going forward in the walk and beyond." Finbarr Buttimer is undertaking a walk from Cork to Dingle to raise funds for Féileacáin and FirstLight, following the passing of his daughter Nora. By his calculations, Finbarr's walk was set to conclude by Tuesday of this week, and along the way, support has ranged from friends and family, to the charities involved, to a wider community that has been following his updates online and reaching out to show support and solidarity. "The response has been absolutely incredible. I'm incredibly moved when I think about it, because we see in the donation page the amount that we've raised, just that in and of itself, shows that hundreds of people are thinking about Nóra, they're thinking about me and Mae, and they want to show us their support. "These are all people we would have loved her to see, and people are reaching out to her by giving, that just means the world to us that so many people are thinking of her because she deserves that. "Those two causes... when I was in Millstreet the other day, I was in touch with FirstLight, and if the fundraiser were to end then, and half of the money were to go to FirstLight then, I think it was something like fifteen families could be provided for, with crisis intervention and psychology support. "To know that through Nóra, we can do good in the world is an incredible feeling, and it honours her memory. As parents, that's what our duty is now, going forward, is to is to honour her, and I feel that with this amazing support, we've been able to do that." The Walk to Dingle for Nóra fundraising page is still open on GoFundMe, staying open until Monday June 30. All funds raised will go directly to Féileacáin and FirstLight, charities that provide assistance to bereaved parents. Follow the last few legs of Finbarr's journey, as well as post-walk fundraising updates, at his Instagram page: @finbarrformerlybaz Special thanks to Julia Healy for her assistance with this article.
Sunday World
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
GAA star shares heartbreak of fertility journey amid fifth IVF attempt
Johnny Glynn and his wife Serena have suffered numerous miscarriages GAA star Johnny Glynn has shared his heartbreaking fertility journey amid his wife Serena's fifth attempt to conceive via IVF. The Galway native recently captained the New York GAA team as they won the Lory Meagher cup in a win against Cavan at Croke Park in May. The 31-year-old married his long-term love Serena Walsh in 2021. Johnny Glynn News in 90 Seconds - June 11th Opening up about their journey to parenthood, Glynn told the GAA Social Podcast that 'nobody in the world deserves a child more' than his wife. 'Unfortunately, we've had few miscarriages. We've had an ectopic pregnancy. We've done a few rounds of IVF and it's a heavy thing.' 'We're after finishing our fifth round of transfers and they've all been unsuccessful so far. 'So to be honest with you, where we're at, I don't know exactly, but I do know we're going to have kids,' he added. 'I don't know how we're gonna get there, yet we're gonna get there.' The hurler said their struggle has been 'very tough' on his wife 'For me, the whole thing is like, I'll be fine as long as Serena's fine. 'I will be okay as long as she's okay, and the toughest thing of the whole thing for me is just not being able to sort this out for Serena,' he said. 'Over the last two years, what upsets me is seeing her so upset, like I can do everything else, we can go on all the holidays in the world. 'We can do whatever else, but this is the one thing that is out of my control that I can't do for my wife.' 'That's the hardest thing. It's a f**king killer,' he said. Johnny said he firmly believes that the couple will become parents one day. 'I think it was actually when we had the ectopic pregnancy a few people heard. 'And obviously you get nice messages and different things, but there was one message, it was out physio for the senior footballers. 'She sent me a message and she just said 'kids won't pass deserving parents', and I do believe that,' he continued. 'I firmly believe that me and Serena are meant to be parents, and it's going to happen. 'Might be taking a little bit longer, but it's going to happen.' Johnny said he's been left stunned by the kindness they've received amid their pain. 'One of the lads in New York, he'd a bad enough reputation – gets in a row here or there – he handwrote me and Serena a letter after hearing about our journey, gave us miraculous medals,' he explained. 'He dropped it to the house. If you knew the lad you'd say 'no way', but when you talk about this stuff, people surprise you. 'There's some great people out there.' Johnny and his wife Serena got engaged in 2018, and tied the knot during a festive ceremony in December 2021. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Féileacáin, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland or Eptopic Ireland for support and information.
Sunday World
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
When I play this match it will be Aodhla's name on my jersey
tragic loss | Dad Peter will remember his baby daughter at a Féilecáin Fathers charity event which hopes to raise funds for the stillbirth and neonatal death support organisation Now her family will remember their baby girl at a special charity event next week, and raise funding for the Irish charity that has proven to be a lifeline. Aodhla's dad Peter has found hope and comfort from speaking with other dads through Féileacáin (the Irish for butterfly), a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during or after pregnancy. On June 14, he will take part in Féileacáin Fathers Charity Tournament, where participants will carry the names of the children they have lost on their jerseys. It's a moving and powerful way of remembering Aodhla and other children, which is hugely important to her parents Peter and Sarah. Her siblings Caragh and Tom will also wear jerseys in her memory. Beautiful Aodhla was with her family for 8 weeks 'You're making sure you remember all those kids,' says Peter. 'When we go out to play this match in June, Aodhla's name is on the back of my jersey with the number zero. Tom and Caragh will both have jerseys with 'Aodhla' on the back too.' Many family members will also come along in support, says Peter, who has championed the charity and the match since he first started speaking with other men who, like him, had lost a child. He hasn't played football in a long time, having previously broken his leg in four places. Peter first met the football group after offering to take photos, which is his big hobby. 'When I turned up, I don't think anyone knew I was a dad who lost a little girl. I think they all just thought I was there to take some photos. When I went home that day, I said to Sarah: 'I'm going to have to play. I'm going to have to at least put on shorts and socks and a t-shirt and stand on the sideline so I can start to talk to people'. Aodhla with her adoring family Sarah, Peter and Caragh 'I made it my business then to play at least one game before this tournament. I played half that game with both ankles heavily strapped with tape and with what I thought was Sarah waving at me from the sideline to say hello, but it was actually her waving to tell me to go back off before I hurt myself!' Peter and Sarah lost their baby girl in January of this year while out for a walk with family on the Hill of Tara, near their home in Navan in Co Meath. 'It's probably one of our favourite places to go to, whether it be for sunrise or sunset or just for a walk around as a family,' says Peter. 'There was some light snow on the hill, and Caragh was having great fun sliding up and down the hill.' But a family day out ended tragically when they checked on Aodhla and discovered she wasn't breathing. Efforts were made to work on her as paramedics arrived on the scene, and later at Temple Street hospital. She passed away at 6.38pm on January 9 of this year. 'Five months later, we are still waiting on the autopsy results to establish the cause of Aodhla's death,' says Sarah. 'She was only with us for eight weeks and two days, that's all,' says Peter. 'She was born on the 12th of November. I think that's probably half the reason why I wanted to do this is because... people don't know what to say. And I want people to know that we don't know what to say either. Peter and Caragh after the last charity game 'When people come and say to us, they don't know what to say, usually I respond with: 'I don't know what to say either. So that's OK'. 'The one thing I would say is we get great comfort in speaking about her. The meaning of her name is 'little fiery one'. She was probably the total opposite of the meaning of her name — she was just so relaxed and so chilled out.' In a powerful account that she wrote about Aodhla, Sarah remembers her baby girl and the family's grief. 'She was a healthy baby and hit all her milestones. She took to breastfeeding very easily and was a very chilled out little baby. She slotted so well into our family and our family felt so complete. We enjoyed a gorgeous happy Christmas together. Everything felt so 'right'. Aodhla loved being out and about for walks and in her short life went on many walks, coffee dates, to the zoo, to visit Santa at Emerald Park, met family and friends and visited beautiful Lahinch Co Clare for the Christmas/New Year holidays. Little did we know the turmoil that lay ahead of us. Beautiful Aodhla Shelley Clancy 'Since January 9, the pain is indescribable. Aodhla and I were joined at the hip. She came everywhere with me. It's like a limb is missing, a piece of me is gone. The best way to describe it is 'Empty arms, broken heart'. Maternity Leave without your baby is the cruellest thing ever. 'If I had one tip for family and friends of someone who have lost a baby it would be to continue to check in on them (even if you don't get a reply). It means so much to know people care and are thinking of us. 'Always speak their babies name rather than avoid the elephant in the room. Not mentioning our baby hurts so much more than being awkward and saying the wrong thing. Aodhla was a beautiful little baby with the most beautiful sparkly blue eyes and gorgeous smile and we'll continue to talk about her forever.' As the family attend June 14 Féileacáin Fathers Charity Tournament with jerseys bearing Aodhla's name, they will fondly remember their baby girl. What does it mean to Peter to take part in the tournament? 'I think it's the hope. When I sat in the changing room with everyone, and I'm hearing people's stories, and when I'm chatting to them, it's the fact that they've come through it. You're always going to carry it with you, but I look at them, and I get hope from everybody else that's there.' If you would like to support the charity event, you can do so at Peter playing in the last dad's match
