Orla Foley, creator of the charity initiative ‘Orla’s Wild Ways’ that celebrates the life and legacy of her late-brother, rugby legend Anthony Foley, is among a line-up of leading voices for an event for families affected by a sudden cardiac death or living with an inherited cardiac condition taking place on Saturday, 13th September.
Organised by CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) Ireland ─ the national charity supporting patients and families who have lost someone to sudden cardiac death ─ the free Friends of CRY Day is an opportunity for families from Clare to engage with leading voices in cardiology and research, and hear personal stories from people who have been affected by a sudden cardiac death or living with an inherited cardiac condition.
For the event, Orla is delivering a talk on how the sudden loss of her brother Anthony at age 42 in 2016 inspired her to fundraise for a number of charities including CRY Ireland.
In his memory, Orla began by cycling the Camino 2017, later founding Orla’s Wild Ways in 2020. She has since cycled the full Wild Atlantic Way, the coast of Ireland, across France, and continued her journey through Italy — all to raise funds for CRY Ireland among other charities. To date, Orla’s Wild Ways has raised nearly €70,000 for her chosen charities.
Speaking ahead of the Friends of CRY event, Orla said: “I am honoured to be speaking at this very special day that CRY is holding in Barberstown Castle, celebrating the love, legacy, and strength found in the wake of loss.”
Broadcaster, journalist and author Anton Savage will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which will also feature a special guest, extreme adventurer Damian Browne, who will share his powerful message on unlocking your true potential.
Elsewhere, the line-up features:
Medical Experts: A host of medical specialists, including Professor Andrew Greene, Consultant in Clinical Genetics, CHI, Crumlin; Professor Jens Mogensen, Consultant Cardiologist; Professor Michael Monaghan, Professor in Biomedical Engineering at TCD, the University of Dublin; Dr Terence Prendiville, Consultant Cardiologist, CHI, Crumlin; and Dr Deirdre Ward, Director of the CRYP Centre (Centre for Cardiovascular Risk in Younger Persons), Tallaght University Hospital.
Brid Carroll, bereavement psychotherapist and educator, presenting on grief and family support.
Speaking ahead of the Friends of CRY event, chairperson on CRY Ireland Noelle Condon said: “Our Friends of CRY Day promises to be full of inspiration and connection with ‘Embracing Hope, Resilience and Facing the Future Together’ as our theme. We are delighted to offer a space where families can hear from Ireland’s leading experts in the fields of cardiology, research, bereavement and family support. I am delighted to invite families from Clare who may be navigating life with a young person living with an inherited cardiac condition, or who have been impacted by a sudden cardiac death to join us for this very special event on 13th September.”
The Friends of CRY event is taking place in Barberstown Castle Hotel, Straffan, Co Kildare on Saturday, 13th September from 9.30am to 3.30pm. The event is free to attend and registration is essential. Places can be booked at the “Friends of CRY 2025” listing on Eventbrite.ie or by emailing friends@cry.ie.