Dublin Marathon run by Laois' Emma Fogarty and actor Colin Farrell is RTÉ Liveline's best moment of 2024

Congratulations to Abbeyleix woman Emma Fogarty and Hollywood actor Colin Farrell, whose Dublin Marathon charity run has been voted the Moment of the Year 2024 by the listeners of one of Ireland's most popular radio shows, RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline with Joe Duffy. 

Colin Farrell who has become firm friends with Emma over the years as he helped her charity Debra Ireland, pushed the Abbeyleix woman over the finish line in a wheelchair in October. It honoured Emma turning 40 years old in 2024, as they ran the final four km, one for every decade she has defied medical predictions and survived her painful skin condition.

Their joint effort is now nearly at its €1 million target to help some 300 Irish people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

Emma spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live just after they were announced as the Liveline winners.

“I’m totally overwhelmed. I didn’t see this coming at all. It really is amazing. I thought it would be losing momentum by now, but really Irish people haven’t forgotten about me and Colm and Debra Ireland. They’ve taken us to their hearts and it has moved me. It’s made me quite emotional that they care about me and the team.

She is hoping now that it will boost her fundraiser to reach the magic €1 million target.

“It would be amazing. it’s at almost €920,000 now. To get that last little push and get it to the million would be wow. 

“It’s the most that Debra Ireland has ever made in one single event every. For something that I really enjoyed doing, it wasn’t a chore. I thought of it, I approached Colm, it was almost my baby, then Debra Ireland came on board massively,” she said.

Since the marathon, her friendship with Colm has continued to grow.

“We’ve been chatting away, he’s back in LA now, he’s still loving the energy around it. We’re still talking about it. It will be a day we will both certainly treasure, and our families, for the rest of our lives.

“It is an amazing way to end the year. Hopefully next year, it can’t live up to this one, but I hope it will be a good one too. 

“I’d like to thank the Leinster Express readers for their support, from me and from Colm,” she said.

Emma and Colin joined forces the Dubin Marathon in October as part of a fundraiser for Debra Ireland which helps people with EB or "butterfly skin". The Abbeyleix woman is a Debra Patient Ambassador.

Their marathon effort were shortlisted by Joe Duffy and the Liveline team in a list of 10 inspirational moments of 2024. Listeners of RTÉ Radio show were given the choice to vote for a winner on December 18. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The listeners chose the efforts made by Colin and Emma as the Winning Moment of 2024.

The actor praised his Laois friend when the event happened.

"She is what courage is all about. I have known Emma for many years and she epitomises bravery, she is what courage and pure determination are all about," he said.

Debra Ireland was astounded and grateful for their efforts and support given by the public to the fundraiser.

"We are absolutely blown away by the incredible support for Emma Fogarty, Colin Farrell, and everyone affected by EB.

"Every euro donated will continue to fund vital research, provide critical services, and transform the lives of those living with butterfly skin," they said.

Other highs on the shortlist are Cillian Murphy's Oscar win, the Team Ireland Olympic squad, Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan from Kildare, Chris Martin's Dublin Grafton Street busk, the Apple tax refund, the Deposit Return Scheme, the Dublin portal, Taylor Swift mania in Ireland, and Saoirse Ronan's comments on safety on the Graham Norton Show.

Joe was joined for the popular show RTÉ Radio 1 by Afric O'Connell of 2FM, Moya Dunphy, author and broadcaster, Dr Chris Fitzpatrick, former Master of the Coombe Maternity Hospital, and Sinead O'Carroll of the Journal.ie.