Actor Colin Farrell paused his busy acting schedule on Sunday to run the Dublin Marathon, dedicating his effort to support an old friend with a rare skin condition. The 48-year-old star completed the final 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of the marathon while pushing his friend, Emma Fogarty, in a wheelchair to the finish line.
Raising Awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)
Back in Ireland for the marathon, Farrell aimed to raise funds for DEBRA, an Irish charity supporting people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), an incurable genetic condition also known as “butterfly skin.” EB causes severe skin fragility, leading to painful blisters even from minor contact. Fogarty, who turned 40 in June, is the oldest surviving person with EB in Ireland, making this marathon an especially meaningful milestone for her.
A Promise Fulfilled
To celebrate her birthday and their friendship, Fogarty and Farrell pledged to complete the marathon together. As Farrell met her for the final stretch, crowds cheered for the Oscar-nominated actor, currently starring in HBO’s miniseries The Penguin. Fogarty expressed her gratitude, calling Farrell “the most supportive, generous, and loyal friend” and describing the experience as a “dream come true.”
An Ambitious Fundraising Goal
Originally, the pair aimed to raise €400,000 ($430,000) for DEBRA but have now increased their goal to €1 million, with more than three-quarters already achieved. Fogarty, a DEBRA ambassador, keeps her body covered in bandages to protect her fragile skin from infection.
Colin Farrell’s Personal Mission for Disability Support
This year, Farrell launched the Colin Farrell Foundation to assist families with adult children living with intellectual disabilities, inspired by his own son, James, who has Angelman Syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder.
