Paul Tumulty present the proceeds from the recent table quiz to Eddie Flood, national chair of the Irish Kidney Association

‘Living with kidney disease is not easy’

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Fri 13 Jun 2025, 11:30 AM

A local kidney disease patient expressed his deep gratitude to all those who supported a recent fundraising table quiz for the Irish Kidney Association when he handed over a cheque for €3,000 to the charity last week

With the help of his wife Pauline, family, and close friend Geraldine Warde, Paul Tumulty hosted a fundraising table quiz at the Pillar House Bar and Restaurant in Ballinasloe to mark World Kidney Day in March. Just two months later the Tumulty family returned to the same venue to present the proceeds from the hugely successful night.

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Jack, Pauline and Paul Tumulty pictured at the presentation of the proceeds from the table quiz to Eddie Flood, national chair of the Irish Kidney Association. Also in the picture are Amy Tumulty and family friend, Geraldine Warde.

62-year old Paul Tumulty from Coreen, Oldtown, Athlone, has been living with kidney disease since 2014 and has been undergoing nightly automated peritoneal dialysis (PD) for the past five years. Despite the challenges, he tries to stay active and positive while he remains on the transplant waiting list.

The father of four and grandfather of seven, enjoyed playing football with his local Padraig Pearse GAA Club until just over a decade ago when he became ill.

Westmeath native and kidney transplant recipient, Eddie Flood, accepted the cheque on behalf of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) in his capacity as national chairman, and expressed his thanks to Paul Tumulty, his family and to Geraldine Warde, for organising the local table quiz.

“Where Paul lives in Coreen he has the wonderful support of communities in the neighbouring counties. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of local solidarity. Contributions from fundraisers like this directly help us to support kidney patients and their families through education, counselling, patient services, and advocacy” said Eddie Flood, adding that Paul Tumulty's “resilience and generosity are an inspiration to all of us.”

While Paul Tumulty admitted that living with kidney disease “is not easy”, he told the assembled gathering that the support of family friends, and the Irish Kidney Association has made “a huge difference” to his life. “I’m proud we could give something back to help others on this journey” he said.

Before his health issues began, Paul ran a successful car sales and repair business. Despite the fact that he had to scale back, he remains focused on advocacy and support for other kidney patients.

The Irish Kidney Association has expressed its sincere gratitude for the donation, which will go toward supporting patients living with kidney disease and their families and promoting organ donation awareness across Ireland.

Attending the cheque presentation from the Westmeath branch of the Irish Kidney Association were: Gerry O’Neill (who underwent a successful living donor kidney transplant from his brother Charlie 41 years ago) from Moydrum, Athlone, his wife and Treasurer of the Westmeath IKA branch Patti O’Neill; Eddie Flood, from Killucan who is national honorary Chairman of the IKA and a kidney transplant recipient; and Jack Cunniffe, IKA Branch Chairman and recent kidney transplant recipient.

Representing the Galway IKA branch at the cheque presentation event were: Elaine Fitzgerald (a dialysis patient): Peter Conboy whose wife Elizabeth is a kidney transplant recipient, Eoin Madden, a kidney transplant recipient and his daughter Una.