This Wish Week highlights the stories of children facing critical illnesses nationwide, and the difference that one day can make to them.

Since 1992, Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted wishes for more than 3,350 children across Ireland, including 214 wishes granted in 2024 alone.

Mother Ciara Dunne told The Hard Shoulder that her son Eli’s wish to watch a Six Nations match in person was granted this year.

“So, Eli was born with an organ that never worked,” she said.

“Throughout the years it was misdiagnosed, kind of covered up with maybe reflux, colic, things that would be quite common.

“However, it came to light only a few months ago that unfortunately, surgery is needed for Eli with this.

“He had a number of hospital stays also regarding that and has been critically ill with it too.”

Series of operations

Ms Dunne said she applied for Eli’s wish earlier in the year after he fell ill following a number of operations.

“One of the days, it was quite a low moment for us in the hospital and I just had this spark saying we need something good to happen,” she said.

“I said to Eli, ‘Don’t worry Eli, pull through, keep going because good things are about to happen’.

“I didn’t let him know that I’d applied for the wish at that time, so I immediately sent off an email to Make-A-Wish.”

Eli Dunne (centre) along with his mam Ciara (left) and his dad (right). Image: Provided

According to Ms Dunne, Eli was granted his wish while waiting to see a surgeon in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

“We went through loads of different things – would Eli like to travel, would he like to go see somebody?

“The first thing he said is, ‘The Six Nations are coming up, I hope I’m well enough, if it’s a possibility, I’d love to go to the match’.”

Eli said the match was “so much fun”.

Brief oasis in-between hospital visits

Ms Dunne’s other son Sam suffers from neuromuscular scoliosis and has also previously had his wish to take a trip to Centre Parks granted by the charity.

His health has deteriorated recently, and Ms Dunne said Eli’s wish provided the family a brief oasis in-between hospital visits.

“Sam was actually back in [the hospital] three days later and then Eli was in two days after Sam got out,” she said.

“So, it was literally this tiny window, we only said if it happened to be on any other match, we wouldn’t have been able to go, so it was amazing that we were able to just switch off for that weekend.”

Ms Dunne said Make-A-Wish provides children with opportunities and experiences that “you wish for as parents that you were able to give”.

To donate to Make-A-Wish Ireland, you can visit www.makeawish.ie.

Main image: Eli and Ciara Dunne. Image: Provided.