Killian Lawton's memory will inspire Easter fundraiser for Marymount and Brú Columbanus

In July 2021, the community of Barryroe and Lislevane is West Cork was plunged into sadness with the death of Killian Lawton.

Just 24, he had crammed so much into his short life and his memory has been carried by those who came into with him.

Killian’s family have attended a number of sporting events that were on his bucket-list while a fundraiser over the Easter weekend of 2022 proved hugely successful.

Speaking to The Echo at that time, Killian’s sister Nora said that, shortly before his passing, he said, “Don't count the days, make the days count,” and that attitude has lived on among his family and friends.

At the time of that initial fundraiser for Marymount – which yielded more than €26,000 – rules on social distancing were in place and so participants undertook their own walk or run, able to do so from anywhere around the world. Two years on, thankfully the restrictions have gone but the remote element still allows for the world to seem smaller and for people abroad to feel closer to home.

The upcoming Easter weekend, March 29-31, will see the event take place again, supporting Marymount and also Brú Colmbanus, which provides accommodation for the families of those staying in the hospice.

Timmy Carroll, a first cousin of Killian’s and a selector with the Barryroe premier junior hurling team, believes that the nature of the fundraiser, allowing for a global buy-in, should ensure its success.

“Two years ago, we were just coming out of Covid and so we had to do it as a virtual event,” he says.

“I think the virtual is better. Two years ago, there were people doing it from all over the world, doing their 5k and making a donation, and it was great.

“At that time, the GAA club put up a sign at the pitch and so a lot of people doing walks and runs over that weekend went in and got pictures with it.

“That’s why the virtual is good again. It’ll get more people involved, which is great. It’s a fitting way to remember him and so many people know Nora and all of the Lawtons that they’ll make an effort, whether it’s just a simple walk or a full-on run.

“That’s the good thing about doing it virtually, more people will get involved whereas if it was a physical thing, trying to bring people together, you’d end up with less.

“Obviously, it’s for a great cause – we all know the work Marymount do and they’ve added Brú Columbanus as the Lawtons would have stayed there when they were up and down to Marymount.”

Killian’s wide social circle, and that of his family, will draw a wide range of participants but of course first-hand knowledge is not necessarily for those wishing to contribute.

“Most people know Pat Lawton [Killian’s father] from reffing around West Cork and then Killian had a big network of friends himself,” Carroll says.

“He was very popular within his own age-group and within the club. He was so mad into it that tying these things into the GAA club is brilliant as well.

“It definitely helps spread out the net of who will get involved. Two years ago, certainly, it was well-advertised and that’s the case again, which should bring people in who mightn’t have known Killian personally.

“They’ll know somebody involved and they’ll take part or donate, so that’s the good thing about it.”

In 2016, Killian was part of the Ibane Gaels (Barryroe/Argideen Rangers under-age amalgamation) that won the county U21BFC. Last year, many of his team-mates helped Barryroe to win the Carbery JAFC for the first time and his memory was naturally to the forefront of the celebrations.

Such occasions, and the fundraiser, meant he will aways be remembered.

“I know the Lawtons are great to talk about him and keep talking about him and everyone is and that’s great,” Carroll says.

“It helps everybody to deal with it and the more you can do to keep remembering him, the better.

“Last year, if you look at that panel, there were probably six or seven of his direct age-group and then he would have played with well over half the squad at some point.

“All of them would obviously have been remembering Killian at that time, as we all were and will be again over the Easter weekend.”

For more details and to get involved, see here