I'll be running the Kilkenny Marathon in memory of my brother, Ruairi.

About 18 months ago, we lost Ruairi to suicide. It was sudden, unexpected, and it turned our world upside down.

I find it hard to talk about what happened. It’s not the kind of loss you ever truly come to terms with or at least, I still haven’t. That’s not meant to sound negative; it’s just the reality of the situation. Losing someone you love, who was such a big part of your life, makes you question everything, especially yourself.

Running has helped. The headspace, the time to yourself. The world can get pretty noisy and it’s a good way to step away from the noise for a while.

That and going to the places I loved going with him. Ruairi was full of life, funny, warm, always up for a laugh and putting the world to rights. He had this rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life and more often than not, he brought me along for the ride. So many of my favourite memories with him revolve around good food, a good bottle of something, and great conversation. £1 oysters at Wright Brothers. Long lunches at the Chophouse. A bottle of red at Gordon’s. The list goes on.

With that in mind, I’ll be running in support of Hospitality Action, a charity dedicated to supporting mental health in the hospitality industry.

Food and drink has always played a big role in my life. And in some of my best memories with Ruairi and the people I love. So it’s just a small way to give back to an industry facing its own challenges and one that has given me so many good times.

Your support, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this page, means a lot.

Thank you, Dualtagh

I’ll leave you with the story behind one of my favourite photos of us:

It’s Summer 2013. We are in London to see Springsteen headline Hard Rock Calling. We get there early, a few wines deep already thanks to Ruairi’s inspired decision to buy a crate of mini bottles at the bar. We work our way through the crowd to find the perfect view. Bruce plays the full Born in the U.S.A. album, closes the set with Jungleland and Born to Run. The energy in the crowd is unreal. We’re screaming every word, and Ruairi’s up on my shoulders, living life to the fullest like he always did.