Colin Farrell runs 2024 Dublin Marathon in support of friend with rare skin condition: "She is what courage and pure determination are all about”

Hollywood actor Colin Farrell has completed the 2024 Dublin Marathon, raising over €775,000 for the charity Debra Ireland. The star of the hit TV series, The Penguin, finished the race alongside friend Emma Fogarty, who is the longest-surviving person living with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare condition that causes fragile, blistering skin.

Farrell crossed the finish line in just over four hours, while Fogarty, who recently celebrated her 40th birthday having once been told she would not live to celebrate the occasion, joined him for the final four kilometres - with each kilometre representing a decade of her life.

“That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it," Farrell said after finishing the race.

“It was an honour to see her waiting for me with 4km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.”

Farrell and Fogarty's marathon effort shines light on epidermolysis bullosa

Sometimes referred to as 'Butterfly Skin', epidermolysis bullosa is a condition that causes the skin to blister and break at even the slightest touch. Fogarty, who was born with the condition on her left foot and right arm, celebrated her birthday in June and decided to compete in the marathon to shine a light on EB.

“No one expected me to survive for this long – because people with my type of EB almost never do – but I’ve always been encouraged to be a fighter," she said.

“Reaching 40 shouldn’t be a miracle, but right now, it is.”

As well as the personal achievement of crossing the finish line in the marathon, Farrell and Fogarty's efforts have currently raised close to €800,000 for Debra, a charity that supports the 300 people in Ireland living with EB.

Debra chief executive Jimmy Fearon said he was in a "state of shock" after witnessing the public response to Farrell and Fogarty's race.

“Emma and Colin were outstanding and we are overjoyed with the funds raised," he continued. "The good things we can do for families with EB is what this is all about.”