Bittersweet Disneyland trip for Cork girls after loss of mum, 30

Sarah's husband Craig said he is struggling to fill the gaping hole left by her death

Sarah Dineen (centre) with Ali (right) and Keela Hurley (left). Sarah passed away in September at the age of 30.

Two little girls whose mother died of cancer are heading on a charity trip to Disneyland Paris this weekend for what will be their first Mother’s Day without her.

Sisters Ali, who recently turned 11, and eight-year-old Keela will join their father Craig Hurley and other deserving families across Cork and beyond who were nominated for the holiday of a lifetime by the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club.

It will be a bittersweet trip for the family who will fly out this Sunday — Mother’s Day. Sarah Dineen’s brave battle with stomach cancer ended in September when, at just 30 years old, she passed away.

Baker and part-time football coach, Craig, is determined the children will have the most joyful life possible despite their loss of their beautiful mum.

The 32-year-old said he was extremely touched by the remarkable gesture from Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club founder John Looney.

Ali Hurley (left) with her sister Keela (right) and dad Craig who is determined the children will have the most joyful life possible despite their loss of their mum.

“The charity reached out to my two girls when they were at their lowest and tried to make them smile,” he told the Irish Examiner. “I just think that’s an incredible gesture and one we will never forget.” 

Craig, who lives with his daughters in the Glen, says: “It was all about the kids with Sarah. Our last Christmas together was in 2022. We put a bed together for her in the sitting room because she was too weak to go upstairs. There was always that fear she wasn’t going to make it through the night. We told the girls that she had cancer but we didn’t tell them it was terminal until she was going into Marymount on December 28.” 

The children asked Sarah when she was coming home. She told them that 'Mammy won’t be leaving here until she’s an angel'. Up until that point I had been wondering how I was going to tell them. That night I was answering questions I never thought I’d have to answer. 

"Sarah eventually came home to die because that was where she always wanted to be.” 

Craig said he is struggling to fill the gaping hole left by Sarah’s death.

“I know I was hands-on even when Sarah was alive but I’ll never get near Sarah as a parent. I don’t think any father could match the care and attention given by a mother. Luckily, it’s going well but there are days where I ask myself how I am going to do this?”  

Craig praised his beautiful daughters for their boundless strength and compassion.

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“On Valentines Day I wanted to make a fuss over them so I brought them both out to dinner separately. Ali wrote me a Valentine’s card that read: 'You are being a daddy and a mummy. We’d be lost without you. You are doing your best and that’s what we appreciate. PS I know you’re crying.'" 

He described how the card prompted a melting pot of emotions.

“I was crying. There were couples all around us probably wondering what the hell was going on,” he laughed. “I have two very special kids who are making sure their dad is alright.

“Sarah brought them to Disneyland for Ali’s communion and she always wanted to take them back when they were older. 

Sarah Dineen with her daughters Keela and Ali.

"She had arranged with John Looney for the kids to go with me. We didn’t even think she would survive for as long as she did. Despite this, she took us away to Spain in June so we could have one last family holiday together. She was told to take it easy but she insisted on going jet skiing with the kids. That was just the kind of person she was.” 

Craig said he is determined to make his daughters smile as much as possible on the upcoming trip.

“I’m known for being the class clown. I’m always trying to make people laugh. One of the things that Sarah told me before she died was to never change because her favourite sound was the kids laughing. She wanted me to keep them smiling and laughing as much as possible and that’s what I plan to do."