Irish hotelier takes on 250km challenge, retracing path of his late wife

Ashford Castle’s Niall Rochford will retrace the path of his late wife, Stella, who died eight weeks post pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Journey highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and funds for a cancer that kills 5 in every 6 people diagnosed, each year.

This month, well known hotelier Niall Rochford of Ashford Castle, will embark on a 12 day, 250km walk from Cork to Cong, Co. Mayo, to raise vital funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

Please see Niall’s personal video here: https://we.tl/t-6pS4vZX1rx

The Cork2Cong Challenge was created in memory of Niall’s late wife, Stella, who was born in Cork and studied at UCC. Tragically, Stella passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022, just eight weeks following her shock diagnosis.

Starting on 28^th October from Honan Chapel in UCC, Niall will follow a path that mirrors the journey of Stella’s life. From Cork City, he will head to Limerick and Clare, where he and Stella met and welcomed their first child. He will then continue on to Galway, where their family grew, before finally arriving on November 8^th in Cong, Co. Mayo, the place they called home and where Stella is now laid to rest.

Niall is inviting members of the public, friends and family to support him along the route, or to take their own ‘Steps for Action’. to help raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, a new charity co-founded by Niall, earlier this year.

Sporting legends including Katie Taylor and David O’Leary have pledged their support by way of video messages, which will be posted on pancreaticcancerireland.ie and on Instagram @pancreaticcancerireland.

5 in 6

The Cork2Cong Challenge not only retraces Stella’s life story but also highlights the urgent need for greater awareness of pancreatic cancer, a disease that affects more than 600 people in Ireland each year and tragically claims the lives of five out of six patients diagnosed.

Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, which was co-founded earlier this year by Niall, together with Rachel Duquesnois and Pamela Deasy, whose lives have been deeply impacted by the disease, and is supported by leading medical experts including; Prof. Aisling Barry, Radiation Oncologist and Chair of Radiation Oncology at UCC;  Prof. Tom Gallagher, Consultant Surgeon at the National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer at St. Vincent’s University Hospital; and Prof. Gráinne O’Kane, Consultant Medical Oncologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Niall Rochford said: “This walk is deeply personal to me, and I know Stella will be with me every step of the way. Pancreatic Cancer Ireland was founded because we need more awareness of this devastating disease and, crucially, we need a rapid diagnosis centre here in Ireland. This challenge is about raising funds to make those goals a reality. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference, but if you can’t donate, please help us by spreading the word. Ireland has an incredible spirit of community, and I’m looking forward to meeting people along my 250km journey. I know I’ll find strength in that support as I make this journey in Stella’s memory.”

To make a donation please visit: https://www.idonate.ie/event/Cork2Cong

For more information on pancreatic cancer and to view the Cork2Cong route visit www.pancreaticcancerireland.ie/cork2cong

Follow @pancreaticcancerireland on Instagram to follow Niall’s journey; #Cork2Cong #EveryStepCounts

Pancreatic Cancer Ireland was founded in 2025 by Rachel Duquesnois following the death of her mum, Martina Dunne to the disease in 2022; Pamela Deasy who underwent a successful treatment programme with chemotherapy, followed by combined chemo/radiotherapy prior to an 11-hour Whipple surgery; and Niall Rochford, who lost his wife, Stella, to the disease in 2022, eight weeks after her diagnosis.

Early diagnosis critical to better outcomes

Pancreatic cancer is not one of the more commonly diagnosed cancers but unfortunately it is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide.

While people may have few symptoms in the early stages of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, when the cancer grows a number of symptoms can occur. It can be difficult to understand if these symptoms are concerning as some are very common day to day symptoms and can relate to other health conditions.

Professor Grainne O’Kane, Consultant Medical Oncologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, advises that if anyone experiences one or more of these symptoms for a prolonged period (more than three weeks) to consider seeking medical advice to ascertain the cause;

• Tummy pain or back pain
• Digestive problems: poor appetite, indigestion, nausea
• Noticeable change in bowel habits (light-coloured or floating stools)
• New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control
• Unexplained weight loss

However, if someone notices jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and/or itchiness, they should seek urgent medical attention.

The Pancreatic Cancer Ireland charity aims to fundraise, empower and educate rather than alarm people as these symptoms in isolation may of course have other causes.  But knowledge and awareness are powerful advocates of better health and better outcomes for all.