Designing a way to deal with mum’s last days

Fashion designer Don O’Neill says he is more than twice blessed: A career to die for, love of partner, family, and friends, a fulfilling and often hectic work and social life in New York, and the chance to come home a few times a year to his native Ballyheigue, Co Kerry.

All that’s missing is his mother, Mim. She died this year within months of being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Don, 44, and his partner Paschal were in Ireland when his mother was told she had a fatal illness. “We were home when Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumour,” said Don yesterday, speaking to RTÉ radio.