Cork man scaled summit before completing Everest Marathon to raise money for CUMH neonatal unit 

Brian O’Farrell doesn’t do things by halves.

The funeral director from Midleton has just completed an endurance challenge in the Himalayas, where he scaled a 6,189 metre summit in 11-and-a-half hours, then completed the Mount Everest Marathon on the foothills of the famous peak - all in aid of charity.

“So far, I have raised €10,000 for babies and for families receiving care in the neonatal unit,” says Brian, who is the third generation of O’Farrell’s working in the family business.

He must feel on top of the world.

“I do!” says Brian smiling.

What motivated and spurred him on to undertake this tremendous, sometimes hazardous, sometimes reflective, journey?

“As funeral directors, we meet families at some of the most difficult time of their lives,” says Brian, who has been involved in the family business since he was 13 years old.

Every loss is a tragic loss.

“The loss of a child is something no family should ever have to go through,” says Brian.

“It leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved. It is heart-breaking. We’ve had experience of dealing with families who have lost a newborn. It is so sad.

“I wanted to do something to show my support for what families go through.”

Brian has a personal connection to the neonatal unit in CUMH.

“My sister, Mary-Teresa O’Farrell, works within the CUMH Neonatal Unit, supporting babies and families during critical care,” says Brian.

These experiences inspired Brian to take on his momentous once-in-a-lifetime journey for a cause close to his heart and to that of his family.

“It struck a chord with me,” says Brian.

He needed to fine-tune his body ahead of the challenges in the Himalayas.

“I was 12 months in training, slowly building up my strength and endurance,” says Brian.

“I was in the gym mornings and evenings and I was road running long distances every day with an oxygen mask that restricts oxygen, getting ready for the high altitude in the mountains.”

Brian puts both terrains in context.

“Midleton is five metres above sea-level. Island Peak - the mountain challenge I faced - stands at 6,189 metres above sea level.

“Island Peak presents significant challenges, with oxygen levels at less than half of those at sea level.”

It sounds daunting.

“It is one of the most popular high-altitude trekking and climbing peaks. I had completed marathons before,” said Brian.

This was a different animal though.

“There were freezing temperatures and at times it was hard to catch my breath,” says Brian.

“One night, I woke up in the tent with a start struggling to find my breath.”

For the challenges, he travelled to Nepal and met his fellow runners before they began a two-and-a-half-week trek through the Himalayas to the base of Island Peak.

“Three of us who flew in headed up the mountain, me and two South African pals,” said Brian. “The locals showed us how to get to the base of the mountain to begin climbing. We travelled light and we paid local men and guides to carry the heavier loads.”

The three musketeers set out at midnight through darkness, ice, and freezing temperatures.

Was it dangerous?

“Jumping over crevasses could prove dangerous,” says Brian.

“The guides showed us how to pull up rope for support through rocks and ice. If you fell into a crevasse and broke a leg, it was likely that you’d never be seen again. There is always the risk of avalanches happening.”

The perilous trek took 11 and a half hours.

“It was hard going getting to the top,” Brian admitted.

But there was some respite for them along the way.

“We played card games,” says Brian. “We shared stories, drinking tea and coffee.”

Summiting the mountain created a mighty bond among the men.

“We bonded very well,” says Brian, who said it was “surreal” to reach the top of Island Peak.

“I felt very proud when I got to the top,” he added.

What was the hardest part?

“The hardest point was the altitude and trying to catch your breath due to lack of oxygen.”

Not content with that, Brian then continued on a four-day trek to Everest Base Camp where he joined runners from around the world for the marathon that takes place there.

“In those four days, we met others in tea houses along the way,” says Brian.

“We enjoyed sharing stories and swapping notes. Finding out where everyone was from.”

They faced the elements, which could be cruel at times.

“Heavy snowfall leading up to the race made conditions underfoot icy and difficult, especially at the start,” says Brian.

“You could see tents covered in ice and snow.”

However, they were well fortified for the marathon slog at the base of the world’s highest mountain.

“We had a delicious curry the night before the race when we rested in the tent!”

Brian did Midleton and Cork proud in the marathon.

“I completed it in seven hours and 20 minutes, finishing 72nd out of 218 runners,” he says.

“The three of us who summited Island Peak lined up for the race.”

Brian is a proud Corkonian and a proud Irish man.

“Of course, the Irish flag was flying high,” he says.

Was he on a high after his massive achievements?

“I was pretty whacked!” says Brian laughing.

He added: “I was emotional towards the final descent when I realised, that after training for 12 months, and two-and-a half weeks of walking in treacherous conditions,I had done it.

“Thinking about how my efforts raising funds for the neonatal unit would help newborn babies made me so happy. I reflected on how much of a difference that would make to families.

“The ‘on top of the world’ feeling never went away. The messages, donations, and encouragement from East Cork was unbelievable. Knowing people were behind me every step of the way really helped me keep going when the going got tough.”

Was it tough on his parents, Mary and Martin, when he had no signal to communicate with them?

“It could be three or four days of a delay before I got to talk to them,” says Brian.

“They worried at times, but I always let them know in advance when I couldn’t speak to them for a few days.”

They must be very proud of their 29-year- old-son.

Others are just as proud of Brian O’Farrell.

“I went to visit my sister at work,” he says.

“She showed me around the neonatal section. I met the nurses, the doctors, and the staff. I saw the little babies and I thought; this is what it’s all about. With available funds, more vital equipment and medical supplies can be accessed.”

Brian will never forget his journey for a precious personal reason.

“Supporting the neonatal unit is about doing what we can in our own way when the families are at the very start of their own journey,” says Brian.

What now for the marathon man?

“I am going to enjoy the summer!”

The fundraising page can be accessed through O’Farrell Funeral Directors’ social media channels and on

idonate.ie