Hollywood star Colin Farrell, known for his roles in The Penguin and The Banshees of Inisherin, successfully finished the Irish Life Dublin Marathon today, crossing the finish line in just over four hours. Farrell participated in the event to support Debra Ireland, a charity that assists people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare and painful skin condition.
The actor was joined by longtime friend Emma Fogarty, who lives with EB. Farrell met up with Fogarty during the final 2.5 miles of the race, where he pushed her wheelchair to the finish line. Fogarty, who turned 40 this year, represents a beacon of strength for those affected by EB, a condition often referred to as “butterfly skin” due to the extreme fragility of the skin.
In a touching moment captured at the race’s conclusion, Farrell embraced Fogarty and, still catching his breath, joked, “Shall we go again?” The moment symbolized their shared triumph in both completing the marathon and raising significant awareness for the debilitating disease.
Ahead of the race, Farrell and Fogarty exceeded their original fundraising goal of €400,000, reaching €679,000 (approximately $733,000) just a day before the event. Given this overwhelming support, they’ve now set their sights on raising €1 million for Debra Ireland.
“That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it,” Farrell said, according to The Irish Times. “It was an honor to see her waiting for me with 4km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.”
Debra Ireland explains that EB is a genetic disorder that causes fragile skin to blister or tear with even the slightest friction or trauma. While more than half a million people globally suffer from this condition, those with severe forms of EB often face a life expectancy of only 35 years.
Farrell has been a longtime advocate for charity, recently founding the Colin Farrell Foundation, named after his son, who has Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder. The organization, launched in August, focuses on bridging resource gaps for adults with intellectual disabilities through advocacy and innovative programs.
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