Bike run remembers Ellie Rose Murphy

KISKEAM men Tadhg Lane and Johnny O’Connor said they were “in shock” following the amazing support they received for their recent fundraiser for Féileacáin which saw 70 bikes leave Boherbue to complete a 200K fundraising run.

The run saw the bikers travelling to Rathmore, Killarney, Killorglin, Castlemaine, Tralee, Listowel, Abbeyfeale, and Castleisland before returning to base at Billy Murphy’s Bar in the evening where a huge crowd of locals also turned out to support the fundraiser.

There, Nora Butler, representing Féileacáin (the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland) was on hand to accept a cheque for €7,400. “We are overwhelmed by the amount collected for the charity,” Nora told the Corkman.

“It is in memory of little Ellie Rose Murphy and will be used to support families who are grieving following a stillbirth or neonatal death” Nora added.

Organisers Tadhg Lane and Johnny O’Connor decided to plan the bike run following the funeral of baby Ellie Rose Murphy who was stillborn last December. Ellie Rose is the daughter of Mary Breen from Boherbue and her fiancée Michael Murphy from Mallow.

Tadhg Lane, who is a first cousin of Mary’s, was deeply touched by the love and support provided by Féileacáin to Ellie Rose’s parents during her funeral last December and decided to try to “give something back”.

“Although the cheque we presented was for €7,400, donations are still coming in, so eventually we will have even more money for Féileacáin,” Tadhg said.

He went on to pay tribute to everyone who helped make the event such a huge success, to all the bikers who took part, and to everyone who contributed money to the fund.

Mother and daughter team Nora and Sinead O’ Keeffe, Kiskeam, took part in the fundraising Bike Run for Féileacáin. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Tom Cambridge, Kanturk, Stephen O’ Connor, Boherbue, Thomas Twomey, Kiskeam, Johnny Lane, Kiskeam, and Aisling Murphy, Mallow, pictured at the fundraising Bike Run for Féileacáin which set out from Boherbue. Photos: Sheila Fitzgerald.

Micheál Buckley, Ballydesmond, Andrew Hickey, Ballydesmond, with organiser Tadhg Lane, Kiskeam, pictured at the Bike Run for Féileacáin which set off from Boherbue.

Joe Moynihan, Tony Kelly, and Brendan Buckley, Newmarket, pictured at the fundraising Bike Run for Féileacáin which set off from Boherbue.

Richard Barry, Freemount, Dermot Hannifin, Shanagolden, Anthony Shine, Ballyhahill, Gary O’ Mahony, Milford, and Johnny Mac, Dromcollogher, pictured at the fundraising Bike Run for Féileacáin which set off from Boherbue. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald.