A Barryroe family say they are overwhelmed by the sheer generosity of their own and neighbouring communities who supported a fundraiser for Marymount Hospice.

The appeal, set up after the untimely passing of Finbarr Griffin of Lislevane who died after a battle with cancer in 2023, has surpassed its original goal and earlier this week, was just shy of €30,000. 

The marvellous care that Finbarr, his family and extended families received at the Marymount Hospice, was described by Finbarr’s wife Deirdre as ‘unbelievable.’.

She said: ‘Even the silliest little wants that Finbarr or even ourselves, asked for, they just got it for us. Even now, I still go there (Marymount) for group counselling, the kids have been offered whatever counselling they need.’

The Griffin family’s appreciation of that special care, love and comfort at such a difficult time was the catalyst to give something in return.

Finbarr’s bother Kieran, an accomplished and stylish hurler with Barryroe (scoring 12 points in their County Junior A Hurling Championship victory back in 2007) and Carbery, took up the baton and while he had participated in some five and ten kilometre runs, he decided to run the Dublin City Marathon last month.

‘It’s nice to be able to get the opportunity to do the marathon and it was a great chance to give something back to Marymount as they were so good to Finbarr and to all of us,’ said Kieran.

Deirdre added: ‘We know we lost him (Finbarr) but you also see the greater good in it (fundraiser) and you do it to give back to Marymount, but it’s been emotional. The support from the local community, the school community and the Co-op, it’s been phenomenal.

‘Some of it (fundraiser support) is because it’s for Finbarr but a lot of it is for cancer and it is touching more and more families every day. There are people that we don’t know at all donated, we’re just blown away.

‘I suppose it’s just lovely to give back. It takes a while until you’re strong enough to be able to face doing it, you know.The kids and I are thinking about Finbarr every day. Every day when the kids look at the GoFundMe page and see a donation from a school friend or family, they are thrilled and they appreciate that those people cared enough to give.’

Kieran said his initial goal for the fundraiser was €1,000 and he was secretly hoping for €2,000, but at almost €30,000 ‘where it’s ended up is just off the scale’.

He added: ‘It’s just proof of the generosity of the local people in Barryroe, Timoleague, Ballinascarthy and Kilbrittain all of whom have been exceptionally generous. We’re a big family and we’re kind of spread out a bit.’