Cork teen to be remembered by cyclists traveling from Mizen to Malin

A CORK teen who died tragically three years ago will be remembered by cyclists raising funds on a charity cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head.

Cliodhna Barrett Murphy, from Doneraile, was only 16 when she passed away in 2020.

Cliodhna’s parents, Niamh Barrett and Barry Murphy, can never forget the awful day their lives changed forever, September 5, 2018, when their beautiful daughter was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer that occurs primarily in the bone or soft tissue around bones.

“Cliodhna was a bubbly and very active teenager who loved life, and she was passionate about her horse Angel,” Niamh and Barry said.

“She also had two cats Tayto and Chocolate and her dog Ted. They really helped her get through her days. She always smiled and looked positively at her treatment.”

While at CHI Crumlin (formerly Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children at Crumlin), Cliodhna became good friends with Cian Neary, from Co Longford who had hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that affects cells of the immune system.

During Cian’s time in Crumlin, Cian pined for his dear friend Cooper, a golden Labrador puppy, and Cian’s parents brought Cooper to stay in kennels in Dublin, so Cian could visit him as often as possible. Cian was only 15 when he passed away in September 2019, but his legacy lives on in the national charity, Cian’s Kennels, which was established in his honour by his heartbroken parents.

The charity brings pets closer to sick children and their families at CHI Crumlin by providing pet kennels and transport, and a space for children and their families to spend time with their beloved pets while undergoing hospital treatment.

Now, volunteers are gearing up to cycle the length of the country, to raise funds for Cian’s Kennels, starting in Mizen on Sunday, September 17 and finishing in Malin Head on Friday, September 22.

Day one of the cycle, from Mizen Head to Killarney, will be dedicated to the memory of Cliodhna, while the final day of the trek will be dedicated to Cian.

Cliodhna’s parents said they were honoured that the first day would be dedicated to their beloved daughter, and they were looking forward to cycling for Cian’s Kennels.

“We love and miss Cliodhna so much every minute of the day. She will be forever 16,” they said.

To join the cycle for one day, or for the full trip, visit www.cianskennels.ie for details.