Hi, my name is Dónall O’Connor from Doora in Co Clare and currently living in Lille, France. On November 7th, I’ll be taking on a challenge of walking 100 km on a round trip from Lille in France to Kortrijk in Belgium in a single day to raise funds for a very special young man, Cillian O’Brien. Cillian’s parents are dear friends of mine, his father Owen is a native of Quin Co. Clare and through this walk, I hope to support them on their journey.

Cillian's Story

On February 5th, 2025, just moments before a school chess tournament, 13 year old Cillian suffered a catastrophic brain bleed and collapsed. Doctors discovered the cause was a rare condition called an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) a dangerous tangle of blood vessels in the brain. He was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin for emergency surgery and spent weeks in intensive care. Since then, Cillian has undergone multiple procedures and continues to receive intensive treatment. Further surgeries may still be required, including specialist radiosurgery in Sheffield, as his AVM is too risky to remove through traditional methods.

Cillian is now receiving rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin, returning to Temple Street on weekends for ongoing care. His brain injury has had a profound impact: his vision has been affected (though gradually improving), and he’s wheelchair-bound as he works tirelessly to regain strength and independence. Despite everything, Cillian’s courage, determination, and wonderful sense of humour continue to shine through. He truly inspires everyone who meets him.

Bringing Cillian Home

Cillian recently turned 13 an age meant for fun, friends, and freedom. Instead of school and sports, he’s fighting an incredibly tough battle. His parents, Owen and Karen, hope to bring him home soon, but their current house a small three-bed semi in Galway City isn’t suitable for his needs. They need to extend and adapt their home to create an accessible, safe space that supports Cillian’s recovery and long-term care. With both parents caring for him full-time, the family faces enormous financial and emotional challenges. His sisters, Zoë and Aisling, just want their big brother home. Through this walk, I want to help make that happen.

 Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a genuine difference to Cillian and his family. Thank you so much for your support and for standing behind this incredible young man on his journey. ❤️