Cavan man to run marathon in memory of baby son

€20k raised already by couple in support of Féileacáin

Brían Sheils will never forget the day his newborn son sadly passed away. Making those calls to expectant loved ones, repeating the same heartbreaking news over and over again.

At 22 weeks and five days gestation, Oisín Bernard Gerard Sheils was born at 12:58pm on September 2, 2025. Weighing just over 500 grams, dad Brían's index finger was “almost the size” of the infant's chest.

Aside from dealing with the grief, Brían and mum Mary then had the trauma of organising a funeral also. “There were some dark days,” the Laragh native tells the Celt

Living in Ballyleague, Co Roscommon, Brían is now preparing to take on the Dublin City Marathon in memory of his son Oisín, and in support of Féileacáin, the charity that provided such invaluable support to the couple following their son's tragic death.

With the generosity of family, friends and members of the wider community moving the total within touching distance of an incredible €20,000.

Oisín, whose middle names honour his two grandfathers who had passed away, “knew nothing but love” during his short life, says Brían.

His parents played music, sang songs and took photographs, treasured every moment they had together as a family before Oisín passed away peacefully in their arms.

It was in the immediate aftermath that Brían and wife Mary were introduced to Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland. The charity provided them with a memory box, teddies, hand and footprints, a candle, hats and blankets. Importantly, they also provided a CuddleCot - a specialist cooling system that allowed Oisín to remain with his parents for longer.

“It meant everything to us,” Brían explains. “Being able to bring Oisín home and spend those extra few days with him wouldn't have been possible without Féileacáin's kindness, support and intervention.”

The charity's support did not end there. Brían and Mary also received counselling through Féileacáin. Being able to speak with people who understood the experience of losing a child was “invaluable,” says Brían.

Now he hopes that by sharing their story it will help others to understand the reality of baby loss.

October's designation as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month makes the marathon challenge particularly meaningful.

Along with teaching a junior autism class in Lanesborough, Co Longford, Brían has spent the past year preparing for the Dublin event.

He and Mary recently marked the anniversary of Oisín's death with a Mass before spending the afternoon at home in Ballyleague with family and friends. They have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has donated to the cause.