Cork mum to abseil Croke Park for charity

A brave Cork mum whose son suffers from an ultra-rare condition will abseil from the dizzying heights of Croke Park next month for charity.

Gillian Curran’s son Ciarán, who turns seven in April, is one of just a handful of people worldwide living with a condition called interstitial deletion of chromosome 11q14.2-11q22.1.22.

The condition can impact intellectual ability and cause various developmental delays.

When Ciarán was born, Gillian was told he’d never walk or crawl. Defying all odds, brave little Ciarán began walking shortly before turning three.

Three years ago, Ciarán was diagnosed with autism and currently attends CBS Primary School in his home town of Midleton.

“He's now really getting good at talking,” said Gillian.

“Ciarán is determined, like he's just one determined person, that if he has his mind on something, no matter what it is, he'll get it.”

On 8 March, Gillian, along with 38 other people, will abseil from the roof of Croke Park’s Hogan Stand to raise funds for charity Rare Ireland which supports those in Ireland living with rare conditions.

Asked if she’s a bit of a daredevil at heart, Gillian replied: “God, no!”

And admitted there might have been a glass of wine taken when she agreed to take on the challenge.

She said: “The most I've ever done was a coffee morning!

“Now, I can't wait to do it, but the sensible part of me is saying, ‘What the hell are you after doing?’. I've never done anything like this before.

“I'm fine with heights once I don’t look down; I'll just keep looking up.

“I'm attached to a rope, so I'll be fine!” she added.

Rare Ireland runs a number of fundraising events throughout the year. The charity was set up in 2017 by Laura Egan and Louise O’Keeffe who each have a daughter with rare chromosome disorders. Initially set up as a Facebook support group for parents of children and young adults living with rare conditions, Rare Ireland obtained charity status in February 2022.

The charity recently held a fundraising skydive and hosts yearly sea dips and school-based fundraisers at the end of February. To get involved or to donate, visit rareireland.ie.

Looking ahead, Gillian said she doesn’t know what her next fundraising challenge will be but isn’t ruling anything out.

“If I enjoy this, I'll be up for anything,” she said.