Herald Opinion: A great display of real courage
The FTD brothers, Cian and Jordan Adams with supporters in Roscommon. Pic: Breda Durr
There are moments when we are reminded not by headlines alone, but by human spirit, of what truly matters. The recent visit of Cian and Jordan Adams to Roscommon was one such moment—an extraordinary display of courage met by an equally extraordinary outpouring of support.
These brothers, known as the FTD brothers, undertaking the immense challenge of 33 marathons in 33 days, are not endurance athletes. They are young men running in the shadow of a cruel and relentless disease. As carriers of the Early-Onset Frontotemporal Dementia gene, they run with the knowledge that their own futures are uncertain—yet they choose action over fear, purpose over despair. Their honesty about that reality, and their willingness to share it, is nothing short of remarkable.
What we witnessed in Roscommon was not just a stop on a marathon route, but a meeting of resilience and compassion. People lined the streets to walk, run, and stand alongside the brothers, if only for a few moments. It was a simple but powerful gesture: you are not alone.
There was something deeply moving in seeing children waving flags at schools, seasoned runners joining the cause, and families turning out in numbers. In a world often defined by division and busyness, Roscommon showed that community still thrives when it is needed most.
Equally powerful was the connection forged with local families facing their own battles, particularly the Naughton family. That shared understanding—of loss, love, and perseverance—created a bond that went beyond sport or fundraising. It spoke to the heart of what community truly is: people lifting each other up in the face of life’s hardest challenges.
The brothers have already raised over €1.2 million for vital research and support services, a remarkable achievement by any measure. Yet perhaps their greatest legacy lies elsewhere—in the hope they inspire and the conversations they spark.
As they continue their journey beyond Roscommon, they carry with them more than miles completed. They carry the goodwill, pride and solidarity of a county that answered their courage with its own. And in doing so, they reminded us all of something simple, yet profound, when bravery meets community, extraordinary things happen.
