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10 Nov 2025

Wife of former rugby star Tom Tierney dedicates charity hike to his memory

Mary Tierney lost both her husband and father last year

Limerick woman takes on hike in memory of husband Tom Tierney and her dad

Reporter:

Manon Gilbart

10 Apr 2024 5:45 PM

Email:

manon.gilbart@iconicnews.ie

A woman will take on a six-day hike in memory of her late husband and rugby star Tom Tierney, and of her dad.

Mary Tierney will walk the Camino del Norte Bilbao to Santander, a hike that is approximately 109km long and walked in six stages. 

Mary's husband, Tom Tierney, was a former Munster and Ireland scrum-half. He passed away suddenly in February 2023 at the age of 46, leaving behind Mary and their two daughters, Isabel and Julia. 

The family lived at Monard in west Tipperary. 

Only days after losing her husband, Mary also lost her dad, Dermot 'Dobs' O'Brien, who was a beloved Limerick publican. 

In memory of Tom and her dad, Mary will be taking on the Spanish challenge, while also raising funds for two "tremendos" Limerick organisations.
"Just over a year ago, we very suddenly lost the centre of our lives, my husband and their daddy, Tom. With a simple and familiar kiss goodnight, neither of us knowing that this was to be our goodbye. Just nine days later we also lost my own dad and their amazing grandad Dermot (Dobs)," said Mary on her GoFundMe.
"A person's reaction to the loss of someone you never wanted or expected to ever live without is very personal you just do what your body tells you to do. For my girls and I that very quickly revealed itself as a need to talk. I’m grateful for that but a willingness to talk and having the tools to do it aren’t one and the same," she said.
For about a year, Mary has been attending grief counselling in Limerick's Milford Care Centre, while her daughters have been "wrapped in the protective arms" of Limerick's Children's Grief Centre.
"The support we have received from these services (now friends) is something words can’t describe. It is our hope to be able to give something back to those who have helped us in the last year, funds raised here will be used for this purpose," she explained.
With friends, Mary will walk the Camino del Norte Bilbao to Santander this May, in a bid to raise funds for the two organisations.
"I decided to do this initially to simply spend time in my thoughts with Tom and my dad, but then saw it as a great opportunity to also raise funds for both of these tremendous organisations," Mary said.
"I would truly appreciate any support at all you feel able to offer."
In less than 24 hours, the fundraiser almost reached its target of €10,000. 
You can donate to the fundraiser here. 

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