When I sat down with Ciaran Brosnan at his welcoming home in Woodlawn, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, how do you ask someone about a life-changing diagnosis without sounding like you’re probing into something too raw, too personal?

Ciaran is easy-going by nature and I knew this conversation would be more than just an interview. It was a chance to hear a story of resilience, kindness, and deep gratitude that deserves to be shared.

Ciaran was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a chronic illness he now faces with a mix of courage, gratitude, and huge appreciation for community support. You’d hardly believe it, considering just weeks ago he ran an 8K Road Race with Killarney AVC in the downpours on Good Friday. Raising funds for Cancer Trials Ireland CLG, Ciaran is determined to turn his own journey into something that might help others.

Receiving the diagnosis

“I was one of the lucky ones,” he told me. “To get an early diagnosis, it was by pure chance. Thanks to the people around me, I’m hopeful for a good prognosis.”

“How did you first know something wasn’t quite right, Ciaran?” I asked.

“Well, I had received a massage voucher from Charlene for Fiona Fleming at Waree Thai Spa on New Street in Killarney. She had noticed a lump on my shoulder and said I should have it checked out to be on the safe side. The funny thing is, I did the Park Run that day and in just 21 minutes. I thought to myself, ‘Sure if I can do that, how bad can it be?’ But come Monday morning, the lump had ballooned.”

Prior to its increase in size, he hadn’t mentioned it to his wife Charlene, someone he credits constantly for her strength and support.

“I decided to call Dr Mike Moloney who is also a good friend and he saw me the Thursday after. The second I took off my shirt, I knew by his face it was serious. He sent me straight to the Bons Secours in Tralee for an ultrasound. I felt absolutely fine, so I went about my day, back to work at The Europe Hotel.”

But things changed quickly.

“The hospital rang that evening. They wanted me back for a full day of assessments the very next day. It was the Thursday before Christmas … now I was worried. I went home, looked out the window, and said to Charlene, ‘Mike’s outside.’ She said, ‘You’re not serious.’ And you know, Marie, it’s never good when a doctor comes to your house.”

He paused, remembering the weight of that moment. “Charlene said Dr Mike was there for half an hour, to me, it felt like two minutes. A blur! So close to Christmas … we told no one. What was the point in ruining Christmas for others when we were still trying to process it ourselves?”

Ciaran’s absence from his usual haunts raised some eyebrows, “Especially when I didn’t show up for the Crokes Juvenile AGM,” he said, smiling. “That’s when the people close to me really started asking questions.”

“And what about your beautiful family, Ciaran?”

“We decided not to tell the children,” he said gently. “Perhaps when they're older. Noah, Bella, and Bobby, they’re still so young! When I started chemo in the Bons in Cork, I told them I was going out to work. After my first session, I came home with Bailey, our new puppy who has brought so much joy and distraction to the house.”

Even when the inevitable hair loss began, Ciaran met it with grace and a touch of normality.

“We had a family moment where they gave me a ‘mark 1’,” he smiled. I recalled Ciaran having a 'fine head of hair'. “At least I can wear a cap, but in recent times I've opted not to. I can’t imagine how much harder it is for women going through chemo. The reality of having cancer hit then, but I always try my best to remain positive and keep things as normal as possible.”

Fundraising campaign

“Tell me more about the race and your treatment?”

“Chemo is tough. It just drains you. The nausea lasted two weeks after every session. I’ve done four out of six now, three weeks apart. I remember watching the St Paul’s Ladies basketball game recently and left after the game, needing a nap before the St Paul's V Cougars game soon after. I’m trying to keep things the same, but sometimes your body tells you 'slow down' and it's important to listen to that”.

The real inspiration for his fundraiser came from a moment of reflection during his chemo.

“I looked around the treatment room in Cork, 18 recliner chairs, silence. And I thought to myself, 30 years ago, this was a death sentence. I realised how far medicine has come. There are many people in Killarney who I have spoken to since with the same condition. One person spoke of having to 'check in' to the hospital for a week at a time to receive chemotherapy. Thankfully times have changed. I think the most shocking statistic is that 1 in 2 people will face cancer. So, in a room with just me and you, Marie? I’m the one!”

That statement hit me hard. But it also showed the quiet bravery Ciaran carries with him, the willingness to speak about something difficult so that others might be helped.

“I woke up one morning at 5am. I couldn’t sleep. That’s when I decided to start the fundraiser. I’m not great with social media, that’s Charlene’s department! But I managed to set it up and soon crashed and back to bed. When I woke again, Charlene said, ‘I’m so proud of you, Ciaran, fair play to you.’ We had already raised €1,000 where my target was half that at €500. The comments were pouring in, people from all over the country, many of whom I hadn't told. I haven’t read the comments yet. It’s still too emotional for me. But I will, when the chemo is done.”

On race day, Ciaran didn’t care if he walked or ran, he just wanted support for Cancer Trials Ireland.

“I trained by running from my house to Muckross Abbey which is about 8K. On that rainy Good Friday, Botty was the MC and gave me massive encouragement. He's a good guy. ‘Thanks, Botty!’” he smiled.

Charlene, beaming with pride, joked about finally keeping up with him. “We ran side by side, he was going at my pace for a change!”

Moving forward

Discussing life after the race, “I’ll have to continue treatment every three months for the next two years. It’s a chronic illness. I reckon I might be on treatment for life, but we’ll manage. I would like to say that I am incredibly thankful to all my family and friends who have been so generous with their time, giving me lifts to my chemo appointments in Cork.”

And manage, they are. With laughter, love, and a pint of 0.0% at Charlie Foley’s and The Dugout after the race. A small moment of normality in a sea of change.

Visiting Ciaran in Woodlawn was uplifting in every way. His honesty, his ability to find light in a dark place, and his desire to give back to others is immensely inspiring. He has taken a life-shattering diagnosis and turned it into a mission, one that has already raised €23,000 and counting for Cancer Trials Ireland, who have already phoned him to personally thank him for his outstanding efforts.

The fundraiser will remain open for the next few weeks, and for anyone reading this in the Killarney Advertiser, you can offer additional support that will go directly to Cancer Trials Ireland CLG, helping ensure that the next person facing this illness has the same hope that Ciaran holds onto today.

Thank you, Ciaran and Charlene for reminding us what bravery, resilience, deep gratitude and the love of a community truly means.

If you can, please support Ciaran's fundraiser by making a donation here: Fundraising page of Ciaran Brosnan