A Dundalk man has realised a lifelong dream by opening up his own bar in the city that never sleeps. Conor Myers alongside his friend Archie Dolan from Darndale in Dublin are the proud new owners of Bartley Dunne’s bar and the duo have vowed to change the vision of what modern Irish bars should be.

The grand opening of the bar last week saw MMA star Conor McGregor pop in for the launch party with the pub gaining exclusive rights in New York to pour the MMA fighter’s Forged Irish Stout which he has launched as a competitor to Guinness.

Conor, originally from Hackballscross, cut his teeth in Eno’s restaurant in Jocelyn St before moving to Dublin where he quickly became head bartender in the upmarket Exchequer Bar in Dublin city centre. He made a name for himself nationally when he decided to participate at the prestigious Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition where his creation ‘Electric Avenue’ earned him first place at the national finals.

Conor then moved to New York where he quickly established himself as one of the best new bartenders in the city but Covid disrupted his plans in the Big Apple and he returned home to Dundalk where he set up Mac’s Coffee in Castletown with his sister. According to Conor the plan was always to return to New York and last April he went back where he linked up with long time friend Archie Dolan to open a brand new Irish bar in the city. The duo are being backed by Pat and Michael McNamee of PMac’s Hospitality, the group behind iconic New York pubs such as The Mean Fiddler and Haswell Green’s.

“This was something that we were planning for a long time but unfortunately Covid ruined our plans,” explains Conor.

“The blessing in disguise was being able to come home and live at home for a while where we got Mac’s Coffee set up that me and my sister run. Once a new location came available I moved back to New York last April.
“That whole process wasn’t easy to be fair after being back at home for so long. I went back working insane hours in two other bars to help get me up and running again while planning the build out and stuff of Bartleys.

“The rest is history now. We’re up and running and doing very well. Summer is traditionally the quietest time in New York but we’re holding our own and expecting big things this autumn/winter.

“The city is back up and better than ever. Lots of old bars and institutions closing unfortunately, but on the flip side, there are about twenty new venues including ourselves that have been opened in the last year by young Irish people I know well. Which is incredible and fantastic to see. A new generation of Irish publicans in NY. Anyone from the town who comes over please pop in. Two blocks from Time Square, two blocks from Central Park. Bring Sing Li please!,” laughs Conor.

Michael McNamee of PMac’s Hospitality who are backing Conor’s new venture sang Conor’s praises stating that the Dundalk man ‘has his finger on the pulse of what the bar and restaurant business needs.

“First off, Conor’s personality is very strong. You need to have balls to work in this business. It’s a crazy hard business in several ways,” stated Michael.
“He’s not your ordinary person. He’s artistic in how he thinks outside the box. He knows his music, he has a good head for interior design and is always the life of the party. You want to come in and see and get away from all the bullshit life throws at you. His finger is on the pulse of what bar and restaurant business needs,” he added.
“To be in this business you need to be on top of all of that. Lighting, music, decor, food and team-leader for the right staff. Conor thinks with a marketing brain. Who’s our target of customers etc

“He also is a chef in that he is trained to know how to balance a drink. People don’t realize you have to balance the booze, with sweet, sour etc. He’s worked on this menu for 12 months. Brewing up syrups at home using spices and herbs and all types of sugars and liqueurs trying to get the right balance. So in a nutshell he loves the business. And that’s what made him a partner with us. Hungry for more,” concluded Michael.

Louth County Council (LCC) has referred the issue of rescinding the Freedom of Drogheda, which was awarded to Brother Edmund Garvey, the then head of the Christian Brothers order in Ireland, to the next monthly meeting of the Borough District of Drogheda.

Garvey was awarded the Freedom of Drogheda in 1997. However, since then he has overseen a controversial legal strategy which requires those who want to take civil action against their alleged abuser, to sue each member of the religious order which has over 100 members.

During LCC’s July monthly meeting, which was attended by former Christian Brother pupils and their advocates, Cllr Yore put forward the following motion:

“That Louth County Council supports all victims of child sexual abuse and condemns the current litigation strategy chosen by the Christian Brother Order as illustrated on RTE Prime Time 7 February 2023.

“Furthermore, that this council writes to the Christian Brother Leadership Team condemning this litigation strategy and that this Council calls upon our members in the Borough District of Drogheda to rescind the Freedom of Drogheda bestowed on the former leader Brother Edmund Garvey.”

At this month’s council meeting, Cllr Yore stated that victims and their advocates have contacted the council over the past few months asking for support, detailing the daily impact their abuse has had on their lives, their families’ lives and their futures.
In a speech made before the council, Cllr Yore said: “One in four people in our county and country have been sexually abused. They will never get to meet the person they were supposed to be because of this abuse.

“In my opinion, we, as elected reps, have to stand up, speak up and have the moral courage to be the voice of the people of Louth, including those sexually abused. If not now, when? If not us, who?

“In January of this year, we had an emergency motion calling for support for refugees and asylum seekers and to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racism which received unanimous support. So, let’s be a ‘Louth for All’. Let’s be beacons of light. Let’s break the silence and let’s say Louth says ‘No’. No to child sexual abuse; no to the Christian Brother litigation strategy and ‘Yes’ to the rescindment of the freedom of Drogheda to the then leader who introduced this strategy.”

Cllr Yore added: “The Christian Brothers are the only religious order using this strategy; refusing to appoint a nominee to accept cases; refusing to give contact details of order members thus preventing survivors getting into recovery and delaying the healing process for them whilst causing undue and unnecessary stress and anxiety to their elderly Christian Brother community – most of whom are innocent.

“The ethos of the Christian Brother order is Justice, Truth, Compassion, Hope and the very least we can do as a council and councillors is to write to the Provence leader to ask that they practice what they preach and to treat all survivors with compassion and empathy and ask that the Christian Brother order nominate, one firm of solicitors to represent all of their members thus allowing sexual abuse survivors to enter recovery.

“All of the survivors I have spoken to only request truth and justice. It’s way past time we as a country step up and stand up for them.”

She concluded “I will continue to use my voice as an elected rep and an ordinary citizen of Louth to try and help and support all survivors of sexual abuse.
“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank my fellow Independent colleagues and friends, Bernie Conlon and Paddy McQuillan, for their bravery and unwavering support to get this Motion on the agenda…”

Louth GAA Chairman insisted that the new county stadium is still on track despite what seemed like a major setback over the weekend when they were ordered to postpone their formal stadium construction launch. The site for the new stadium which is just off the Inner Relief Road across from DkIT Sport has already been levelled and work on the building of the stadium was due to begin on Monday.

Speaking to the Dundalk Leader ahead of crunch talks with Croke Park officials yesterday evening, Fitzpatrick admitted that there had been worries from Croke Park regarding the stadium but he stated that he was confident that all of their concerns could be ironed out during the meeting which was scheduled to take place at 5pm yesterday evening at GAA headquarters.

“There has been a lot of noise and negativity over the last couple of days but I just want to say that this stadium will be built and I look forward to meeting Croke Park officials this evening to sort this out.

“Myself and a delegation from the County Board will attend the meeting and this will be the first time that all the relevant people will be in the same room together. Questions will be asked and answered. Concerns will be put to bed and I’m very confident that we will have a positive outcome from the meeting. This meeting needed to take place and once we sort out these minor issues the building of our new stadium will commence,” insisted Fitzpatrick.
“I did briefly resign on Sunday evening but I’m back fully on board now as Louth GAA Chairman and I am 100% committed to delivering this stadium for the people of Louth,” he added.

The long-touted plan to build a brand-new stadium in Dundalk for Louth GAA was dealt a damaging blow over the weekend as Croke Park officials demanded the Louth County Board to halt the project pending a reassessment of the cost of the project.

The fallout of that instruction from Croke Park saw Peter Fitzpatrick briefly resign as Chairman of the county board during a hastily arranged and reportedly heated emergency meeting in Darver on Sunday evening. He withdrew that resignation the following day as Louth GAA announced that he would lead a delegation to Croke Park yesterday afternoon.

The County Board under the chairmanship of Peter Fitzpatrick had invited the public to attend a formal launch of the commencement of the building of the stadium with the main contractor Ganson due to officially make a start on the project.

However, that launch was unceremoniously halted after officials from Croke Park directed the County Board to postpone the launch amid worries about the spiralling costs of the project.
A statement from the GAA confirmed that they had instructed Louth County Board not to proceed with the launch.
“Meetings of An Coiste Bainistíochta and Ard Chomhairle took place last night (July 14th) and today (July 15th) respectively.

“The following decisions were taken: It was agreed to instruct Coiste Contae an Lú not to proceed with the current plans for a new Stadium pending a reassessment.”

On Sunday evening a statement from Louth GAA confirmed that they had abided by that directive but insisted that the delay would be a short one.

“Following communication with the GAA over the weekend, the launch and commencement of construction of our new stadium is postponed until early August”
Initially the costing for the 14,000 capacity stadium was quoted at in or around €12m but that figure ballooned to €29m in the space of a couple of years with a negotiated price of €25m eventually agreed with the main contractor Ganson.

€14.8 million of that figure was sourced from the governments Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) while roughly another €3.2m has been raised/will be raised by the Louth County board from fundraising initiatives, selling seats in the new stadium and naming rights. It was hoped and expected that the shortfall would be made up by Croke Park as well as national grants but those hopes were dashed with headquarters expressing their concerns about the cost of the stadium.

Croke Park officials will no doubt ask questions of the Louth delegation about the €25m bill to fund the building of the stadium but Fitzpatrick insists that they have the answers to all the questions and that it remains full steam ahead for the stadium which is due to be completed in time for the Senior County Football final in September 2024.

Dundalk St Gerard’s AC were this week delighted and proud to share the news that not just one, but TWO of its club athletes have been selected for the Ireland Team that will compete at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) later this month. Both Enya Silkena and Tara O’Connor secured selection, based on reaching the qualifying standard in their respective events. Silkena will represent her country in the Heptathlon, while O’Connor will compete in the High Jump.

The Dundalk duo were among the forty-two athletes named by the Olympic Federation of Ireland, who will compete across five sports. The EYOF is a prestigious event that plays an important role in the overall development of athletes, as it mimics the Olympic Games model, preparing athletes for the nuances of performing in a multi-sport environment. This year’s event will see forty-eight countries across Europe participate in the event, with approximately 3,600 athletes competing.

The EYOF is the largest European multi-sport event for young athletes between the ages of 14 and 17 and generally occurs every two years. This year it takes place in Maribor, Slovenia and will run from the 23–29 of July. Of the 42 athletes selected, 22 of those were selected for Athletics. To have just one athlete from a local club meet the standard for selection would be incredible, but to have two is just extraordinary.

O’Connor and Silkena have put in enormous efforts honing their craft over several years, achieving many successes on the County, Provincial, All Ireland and International stages along the way. Between them, they have broken and hold multiple juvenile athletics records. This latest achievement is a testament to their dedication and commitment to their sport. Their selection is very well deserved and is sure to provide them both with hugely valuable experience at another level, where they will battle it out with the best in Europe. After a first taste of major multisport competition at the EYOF, many athletes have gone on to compete in the European Games and Olympic Games. The Irish team departs for Maribor on the 21st of July with competition starting on the 24th of July.

Dundalk Tidy Towns recently met with Louth County Council to discuss the results of IBAL Anti-Litter League Survey results.

The group had asked for a meeting with the local authority following the recent IBAL survey which saw Dundalk drop to the bottom of the table this making it the worst littered town in Ireland according to IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter). According to a statement from Dundalk Tidy Towns, there was broad agreement from Louth County Council to help improve the issue of littering in the town.

“We thank Louth County Council for their swift response to our request for a meeting and their cooperation in dealing with the results.

“In the hours after the release of the results, Dundalk Tidy Towns issued a response and promised to keep the people of Dundalk up to date.

“There was broad agreement at the meeting that Louth County Council will work closely with Dundalk Town BIDS and Dundalk Tidy Towns to improve the performance of Dundalk in the survey.

“We agreed a number of actions as follows:
•Dundalk Tidy Towns volunteers will collaborate with Louth County Council outdoor staff to ensure that as much of the town is cleaned regularly as possible. This includes greater collaboration on weed and litter management.
•Landowners containing clothing banks will be contacted to ensure that these are properly maintained or, if appropriate, removed. Louth County Council will undertake a survey of clothing banks across the town to ensure management.
•Dundalk Tidy Towns will regularly patrol areas named on the survey to ensure they are clean.
•Louth County Council will review areas known to be litter blackspots and deal with them appropriately.
•Dundalk Tidy Towns will plant and maintain areas of the Longwalk once cleared by Louth County Council.

“Dundalk Tidy Towns will continue to engage with Louth County Council on issues as they arise across Dundalk.
“Dundalk Tidy Towns will be launching a litter initiative inviting all local businesses to sign up in the near future. In the meantime, we ask them to be mindful of litter on or around their premises.

“Once again,we thank the wonderful volunteers and residents Associations across Dundalk who give their time to love where they live. We thank Louth County Council staff, particularly outdoor staff and contractors who look after our town on a daily basis.

“We also thank Dundalk Town BIDS and Dundalk Chamber for their support and work for the town.
“We have been inundated with messages of support and encouragement from the people of Dundalk since the results were released.

“We greatly appreciate them and encourage everyone to play their part in keeping Dundalk a Tidy Town,” concluded the statement from Dundalk Tidy Towns

Park Strife

Naughton family unhappy with current state of Ice House Park.

THE couple who funded the creation of Dundalk’s Icehouse Hill Park are “so disappointed at the current state of the park”.

Carmel Naughton, the wife of Glen Dimplex founder Martin Naughton, told the Dundalk Leader the couple are “saddened” by what has happened to the local amenity.

“The creation of Icehouse Hill Park commenced in 1994 and entailed the restoration of an existing derelict parkland area,” said Carmel.
“The works were commissioned by the then Dundalk Urban District Council and were funded by the Naughton Family Trust.

“We offered to set up a Trust fund to ensure the maintenance of Icehouse Hill Park. The County Manager at the time was a lovely man who was full of enthusiasm and he said it wouldn’t be necessary.”

Carmel added: “We have since written to Louth County Manager Joan Martin about the poor condition of the park and we were told it would be looked into.
“We put in cobblestones edging along all the paths and it cost a fortune. Most of it has disappeared under grass.

“We didn’t create the park for thanks; it was done with a good heart so people could enjoy the amenity. With a little bit of effort, it could be a much nicer experience.”
She continued: “Blackrock and Dunleer keep their parks beautifully. In Icehouse Hill Park, the council only seems to cut the grass and pick up litter.

“The railings are a disgrace. It is such a shame because it could be a beautiful amenity. A town of Dundalk’s size needs green areas. It’s so important in a town.
“I remember the excitement on the day it was opened but now nobody seems to care. It’s really depressing from our point of view.”

Carmel said that her husband, Martin, who grew up 50 yards from Icehouse Hill Park, donated money towards the project with “goodwill” because he wanted to give back to Dundalk.
“The park was dedicated to the gardai because they have served Dundalk very well for years,” she said.

“It’s most disappointing and peculiar. The opening day was such a happy day. We were told that the park would be loved and cared for but it’s not very cherished.
“It would be great if someone would come forward to help. We need men and women helping in a practical way with shovels and the like.”

Carmel added: “The problem is the local people in that area are quite elderly. The paths need to be looked after and the trees tended too. It’s not rocket science. The place needs to be kept tidy.

“There is also a lovely water fountain there that is an additional feature. It’s a shame. It just needs a little effort to keep it going.”

A MAN living in Dundalk who campaigned for the Angel’s Plot at Dowdallshill Cemetery to be re-opened is “delighted” it has been cleaned up.

Craig Corr from Muirhevnamor told the Dundalk Leader that he contacted the Miscarriage Association of Ireland to ask if they would donate a new memorial stone to the graveyard.

“I also contacted Louth County Council and they agreed to refurbish the old Angel’s Plot and to put in a new area,” he said.

“The memorial stone donated by the Miscarriage Association of Ireland was erected last week in the new area at Dowdallshill.

“I decided to do this after my partner and I buried our baby. It’s been 30-40 years since the old plot was last opened.”

Craig added: “It’s not provided by the council; it’s provided by the HSE. If you have a miscarriage or stillbirth in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and you don’t have the money to bury your baby in a private plot you can bury the baby in a plot near the hospital.

“If you are from the Dundalk area or North Louth this makes it difficult for parents from those areas to regularly visit the plot in Drogheda.
“Now with the old and new plot in Dowdallshill families can place flowers on it and pay their respects.”

Craig is calling on members of the public and local shops to donate suitable flowers and grave ornaments for the old and new Dundalk plots.

“People can contact either myself or Sinn Fein Councillor Edel Corrigan or they can go themselves and place the flowers or ornaments on the plots,” he said.

Craig thanked various people who have helped him with this project including Martin Browne of Butterly Stone; Shevlin’s Funeral Director; Quinn’s Funeral Directors; Arthur’s Shop on the Newry Road; Petal’s Florist in the Clanbrassil Street Centre and The Dundalk Club.

He added: “I’m working with the Miscarriage Association of Ireland to raise money to provide a different stone in another part of the country. I have sponsorship cards and we are relying on donations.

“People can take a sponsorship card off me or donate. I’m also working on another fundraiser. I’d like to help provide a nice memorial bench if anyone would like to donate.

“I’ll have sponsorship cards for that too. It all started after losing my daughter, Aleigha Faith Corr. I’m doing this because of her. The bench will be somewhere for people to go and think about the loved ones they have lost. I hope people will get behind us.”

For further information please email craigcorr691@gmail.com

Independent TD has questioned the need for Safe Access Zones outside medical centres that provide abortions. Recently the government approved the text of a bill that would introduce ‘safe-access zones’ around healthcare premises providing services linked to the termination of pregnancy. However Deputy Fitzpatrick claimed that the new legislation would prove unworkable in Ireland given the fact that the Irish abortion system doesn’t operate out of specific abortion clinics.

“This legislation has been rushed through pre-legislative scrutiny and will be likely to be unconstitutional. Exclusion zones around abortion clinics exist in other countries, which provide the model for this proposed legislation. The logic behind these zones is to ensure that women entering an abortion clinic are not subject to potential harassment from protestors outside. However, because the Irish abortion system does not operate out of specific abortion clinics, but rather within GP clinics, hospitals and family planning centres, importing this same model wholesale into Ireland strikes me as unworkable,” stated Deputy Fitzpatrick.

“To ensure anonymity when availing of such services, this legislation will not highlight the specific service sites where termination of pregnancy services are actively provided. Therefore, we must place a 100m exclusion zone around each premises, irrespective of whether they are performing abortions or not. Would then, for example, the large-scale, annual and public event, March for Life, be prohibited from passing down certain streets in Dublin because there is a GP clinic in the vicinity of 100 m, which may or may not provide abortions?,” asked Fitzpatrick.

“From the perspective of a person who is minded to protest abortion, the proposals have sweeping consequences which raise questions of personal rights under Article 40 of the Constitution. The explanatory memorandum to the Bill states that: “It is not intended to be a general prohibition on expression or assembly or protest in relation to termination of pregnancy services.” However, the Bill subsequently makes provision for enforcement and the creation of offences in relation to such conduct. As there is no way to identify whether someone who is entering a maternity hospital or GP clinic is there to have an abortion, this proposed legislation will effectively discriminate against people of a particular ethical viewpoint who are simply assembling in a public area, which may happen to be within one of these 100 m zones. Will the Taoiseach explain how the Government can claim to uphold civil liberties while bringing in a law overtly discriminating against citizens who are expressing their views on a particular issue and who unwittingly happen to be within one of these expansive exclusion zones?

In response the Taoiseach stated that the new legislation was designed to protect the freedom to access termination services without impediment.

“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. There is a long-standing Government commitment to ensure safe access zones around healthcare facilities and providers of termination of pregnancy services. That includes hospitals as well as GP surgeries in some cases. The introduction of safe access zones is supported by clinicians providing the service. Safe access zones are designed to protect the freedom to access termination services without impediment and to provide privacy to people accessing health services, as well as the service providers, their staff, in the course of their duties and responsibilities.

The Minister for Health secured Cabinet approval to legislate for the designation of safe zones last July. The Bill was approved by Cabinet last week and will be introduced in the Dáil for debate later this week. It required striking a careful balance. We need to respect the right to protest and people have a right to protest, whether we agree with them or not, but we also need to protect the right of patients not to be intimidated when they go to see their doctors or when they enter hospitals to seek treatment. We have struck the right balance and any prosecutions will depend on the individual circumstances.

There are defences set out in the legislation and it may yet be challenged on constitutional grounds. That is a possibility with any legislation but we think we have struck the right balance and the Attorney General advises us that it is constitutional. We had pre-legislative scrutiny and engagement with stakeholders and we think we have struck the right balance between respecting people’s right to protest and to protest peacefully, while not doing so in a way that intimidates patients seeking to see their doctors or have a particular procedure done,” stated An Taoiseach.

Local basketball sensation Elijah Faapito got a court order recently that he was only too delighted to accept when it was announced that he had been selected to play for Ireland at the upcoming FIBA U20 Men’s European Championship which takes place in North Macedonia from July 7th.

Having been rejected at both U16 and U18 level Elijah Faapito has shown that hard work and determination pays off when it was announced that he had made the 12 man Ireland squad.

Elijah who turned twenty on Monday showed what hard work and determination can bring having failed to make the cut for the U16’s and U18’s national team in previous years. Rather than sulk or get downhearted the Dundalk man worked even harder and having impressed at trials where hundreds of hopefuls attended, Elijah was selected for the twelve man team who will travel to North Macedonia this morning for the Men’s European Championships.

Elijah is the son of Fu and Triona Faapito who moved to Ireland from California in 2002 (Elijah was just one year old when the family moved). Triona, from Dundalk and Fu, originally from Samoa, noticed that there was a lot of kids hanging around outside the sports centre every Friday night with nothing much to do so they decided to try and start up a basketball team to try and get them active and involved in a sport. In 2007 the couple set up the Dundalk Ravens Basketball Club which is still going strong to this day. According to Elijah he couldn’t help but love the game of basketball giving his background.

“It was kind of a given that I’d play basketball given my parents love for the game. I currently play with Tolka Rovers in Dublin as Dundalk Ravens don’t have a senior team but I am still heavily involved with the Ravens and I coach three teams in the club and practice with them all the time. It is a great club and very family orientated and we are hoping to start a senior team for next season.

“I found out a few weeks ago that I had been selected for the national team and it was such a proud moment for myself and my family,” stated Elijah. “My parents had seen the lows first hand when I failed to get selected at U16 and U18 level so they were so thrilled for me to get the nod this time around. I just decided last year that I was going to give it absolutely everything this year and thankfully the coaches saw the improvements I have made in my game and selected me for the Europeans. I always back myself and I was hopeful that I would get in this time as I knew how hard I had been working all year.

“I play at Point Guard which is kind of like a quarterback role where you start the plays and control the game. I like playing in that kind of leadership role and my job is to help my teammates play to their strengths and set up the plays. I’m very excited to get started and I can’t wait to represent Ireland and the Ravens at such a big international tournament. I suppose this shows that determination and hard work will bring rewards,” stated Elijah.
Ireland will compete in the FIBA U20 Men’s Championship ‘B’ Division in 2023 and have been drawn in Group A alongside Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and hosts North Macedonia.

Speaking about his squad, head coach Thomas Walsh said: “We’re very excited to name our final-12 players for the FIBA U20 Men’s European Championship in July.

The players have shown great commitment to each other and this programme in a short period of time. We have a few weeks left to build on that commitment and our style of play, but we’re looking forward to exciting basketball in North Macedonia.”

A FATHER-of-one living in Dundalk is doing a mammoth running challenge in aid of The Lily Foundation, a charity which supports people affected by mitochondrial conditions.

Stuart Rutherford is helping to raise funds for The Lily Foundation by running the equivalent distance of John O’Groats to Land’s End.
“I’m originally from Glasgow but I’m living in Blackrock now and working in The Fairways Hotel,” said Stuart.

“There are different measurements on the internet but I’m aiming to run/jog/walk around 874 miles or 1,400km for this challenge.
“I’ve done some monster runs for it. Last Sunday I did 50 miles to the border and back. I started the challenge at the beginning of June and will complete it on 21 July, my brother’s birthday.”

He added: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to the people of Dundalk who have welcomed me and I’d also like to thank the people who have donated for their boundless generosity.

“My next challenge will be a big one. I’m going to run for The Lily Foundation and the Maria Goretti Foundation which helps people affected by Autism.
“I’m going to do two laps of Ireland which is around 4,000km in a year. I plan to start that challenge on 1 January 2024 and am hoping to raise a significant amount of money.”

Sarah Moore is a UK-based Corporate Fundraiser for The Lily Foundation. Sadly, Sarah and her husband lost two young daughters to mitochondrial disease.
“We lost our 18-month-old daughter, Harriet in 1996 and our four-year-old daughter, Kimberley in 2002,” said Sarah.
“We had very little support. Very little was known then, even the medical people knew very little.

“It’s a cruel, cruel disease. The Lily Foundation helps to support people affected from initial contact to end of life and beyond that.”
She added: “Stuart is running in memory of my two daughters, Harriet and Kimberley, and since he has taken on the challenge has been contacted by a friend of his who’s Goddaughter has recently passed away.
“He is therefore dedicating his half marathons and marathons to these wonderful angels.”

The Lily Foundation is celebrating its 15th anniversary and supports over 1,000 families across Ireland and the UK affected by mitochondrial disease.
Mitochondrial disease, or ‘mito’, is the term given to a group of medical disorders caused by mutations in mitochondria, the tiny organelles that are present in nearly every cell in our bodies and which generate about 90 per cent of the energy we need to live.

Cells cannot function properly without healthy mitochondria, so when they fail the consequences can be serious and wide-ranging.

Mitochondrial diseases affect people in multiple ways, depending on which cells are affected.
This can make the condition hard to diagnose, as symptoms often resemble those of other serious illnesses.
For example, a person with mitochondrial disease may suffer from seizures, fatigue, vision and hearing loss, cognitive disabilities, respiratory problems or poor growth.

Any of the body’s organs and systems can be affected including the brain, heart, lungs, gut, liver and skin.
For more information please follow stuart_rutherford35 on Instagram and @Rutherfo2Stuart on Twitter.