Emma Byrne hospice fundraiser passes €50,000 in Drogheda

A Drogheda family has raised more than €50,000 towards the development of a new hospice in memory of Emma Byrne, a much-loved wife, mother, sister and friend who died following a diagnosis of an aggressive brain tumour.

Emma was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in March 2025. Her illness progressed rapidly and she spent the final weeks of her life receiving palliative care at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Her illness progressed rapidly and she spent the final weeks of her life receiving palliative care at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Since her death, family and friends have brought together schools, sports clubs, businesses and people across the local community for a series of fundraising events in her memory.

The campaign will conclude at the Dublin City Marathon later this month, around the first anniversary of Emma’s death, with eight people close to her taking part.

The family hope the money raised can help create a dedicated family room or garden at the planned Newgrange Hospice in Drogheda, giving patients and their loved ones somewhere comfortable and peaceful to spend time together.

Remembering Emma

For her family, the fundraising has always been about more than reaching a financial target.

It is also about remembering Emma and creating something positive from an extraordinarily difficult year.

“Emma was simply a wonderful person. She was a friend to everyone, someone who never spoke badly of anybody and who was always willing to help others. She had a beautiful smile, loved being around people and had a kindness about her that made her so special to those who knew her.”

Emma worked as a social worker and cared deeply about helping others.

She was also a keen sportswoman and had strong links with Naomh Máirtín through her children, Cara and Shea.

“She was trustworthy, reliable, ambitious and a pleasure to be around. But above all, she was an incredible sister, a wonderful daughter and a fantastic wife and mother.

“Family meant everything to Emma, and she had so much love to give. She was the kind of person who made life better for the people around her, often without even realising the difference she made.”

A diagnosis that changed everything

Emma first began experiencing symptoms in early March 2025, including slurred speech and numbness down one side of her body.

Around St Patrick’s Day, which was also her birthday, she travelled to Fota Island with her husband Michael and their children, Cara and Shea.

The trip was cut short when Emma became unwell and went to hospital.

Scans revealed a brain tumour and she underwent surgery at Beaumont Hospital ahead of Shea’s First Holy Communion.

The family had hoped for positive news, but the diagnosis confirmed stage four glioblastoma.

“It was a complete shock to Emma and to all of us. She had always been so fit and healthy, and none of us could have imagined that we would find ourselves facing something like this.”

Emma underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy until June, but her recovery was complicated by kidney stones and the effects of treatment.

In September, her condition deteriorated and she was placed on life support at Beaumont Hospital.

She was later transferred to Oriel Ward at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for palliative care, allowing her to be closer to home and her family.

Why the family is supporting a hospice in Drogheda

Emma’s family speak with enormous gratitude about the care she received in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

“We cannot speak highly enough of the care Emma received in Oriel Ward in the Lourdes Hospital. The staff were compassionate, kind and caring, not only towards Emma but towards all of us.

“Her husband Michael stayed with her every night for almost six weeks, and the care and understanding shown to him and the wider family meant so much during an unimaginably difficult time.”

Their experience also showed them how difficult a hospital environment can be for young children visiting a seriously ill parent.

Emma’s children wanted to spend time with their mother, but the family found the clinical surroundings and uncertainty around visits particularly difficult.

Emma was offered a place in a hospice in Blanchardstown, but she wanted to remain close to home.

“We felt that a dedicated hospice, with a more relaxed, homely environment and facilities designed with families in mind, might have made those precious moments together a little easier.”

“When a family is facing the loss of someone they love, every moment together becomes incredibly important. Having a place where children can feel comfortable, where families can spend time together away from the clinical atmosphere of a hospital, could make such a difference.”

Emma had never spoken about the need for a local hospice. Her family say it was simply something they had never imagined they would need.

But they believe she would have understood why they are now trying to help other families.

“She was a social worker who genuinely wanted to help people and make life better for others. She had a natural compassion for people, and I think she would have understood exactly why something like this was needed.”

A community comes together for Emma

Over the past ten months, family, friends, schools, businesses and sporting organisations have organised and supported fundraising events in Emma’s memory.

Many have involved sport, reflecting Emma’s love of fitness and her connection with Naomh Máirtín, where she had played from a young age and also taken part in Mothers and Others.

Events have included Jenny McGahon’s 24-hour Fitness Marathon, a remembrance walk through Naomh Máirtín, the Belfast Marathon, Women’s Mini Marathon, Liverpool and Galway half marathons and a benefit night at the Westcourt.

Local schools have also supported the campaign through non-uniform days, bake sales, HYROX events, a pantomime, school marathons and donations of Communion money.

Naomh Máirtín’s 5K in August, collections at Hurley’s Deli and a donation from Drogheda Bowls Club have also contributed.

“Every event has meant something to us, not just because of the money raised, but because of the people who have come together to support Emma and our family.

“Seeing so many people give their time and energy to something in her memory has been truly humbling.”

Dublin City Marathon to bring campaign to a close

The campaign will conclude at the Dublin City Marathon later this month.

Taking part will be Emma’s twin brother Mark, her husband Michael, her cousin David Boylan and friends Patrick Sullivan, Shane Darby, Micheal Tiernan and Gary McGahey.

The marathon was chosen because completing one had been on Emma’s bucket list.

“We chose the marathon because it was something that had been on Emma’s bucket list. She loved fitness and was always active, so it felt like a fitting way to bring the campaign to a close.”

With the event falling around the first anniversary of Emma’s death, it will carry particular significance for those taking part.

“The fact that the marathon falls around the first anniversary of her passing makes it even more meaningful. It will be an emotional day for all of us, but it will also be a chance to celebrate Emma, remember the person she was and reflect on everything that has been achieved in her name.”

“We will be running with Emma in our thoughts every step of the way. It is our way of doing something she wanted to do herself, while helping to make a difference for other families.”

More than €50,000 raised

The family originally set a target of €50,000 and has already surpassed it, with further donations expected ahead of the marathon.

They have been in regular contact with Professor Dominic Brannigan, Head of Palliative Care at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, who has been involved in efforts to establish Newgrange Hospice in Drogheda.

Their hope is that the money can help create a family room or garden in Emma’s memory.

“Our hope is that the money raised will go towards developing a family room or garden in Emma’s memory, providing a dedicated space where patients and their loved ones can spend precious time together in a comfortable and peaceful environment.”

For the family, a dedicated hospice in Drogheda would provide a lasting way of remembering someone whose own life was centred on caring for others.

“We could never have imagined the journey we have been on since losing Emma, but we wanted to turn some of that heartbreak into something positive.

“If we can help create a facility that offers comfort, compassion and support to other families facing what we went through, then we feel we are doing something Emma would be proud of.”

“It is a way of keeping her spirit alive and ensuring that, even though she is no longer here with us, she can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.”