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So far I have raised: This fundraising page is now completed and it is no longer possible to sponsor this fundraiser via this fundraising page. |
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My Personal Message Deirdre, Mary and myself Andrew finished the 55km or was it miles from Dublin Castle to remote Glenmalure in South Co Wicklow at about twelve hours after we started it. We finished in broad daylight at about 1:30pm on the Saturday. We had been freed from Dublin Castle the night before at about twenty past one. We sped through the deserted streets of Dublin and quizical looks from those exiting pubs and 'chippers' at this unearthly hour! One inebriated onlooker enquired if we were doing the 'Red Hugh O'Donnell'? To which we agreed! There was a long line of runners ahead of us all with lights and high Vis jackets. We arrived into the hilly area had an energy gel and walked some of the steeper climbs on the grass margin cos the roads were icy! Eoin Keith (eventual winner) passed us near Kilbride at bout 3:40am, the first check point we put on more clothes for the mountain trekking stage, about 400 people trying to find their own bag and a cup of soup and a guide for the next stage. This all happened on an otherwise deserted freezing hillside, which resembled a scene from 'Appocalypse Now'. But 'fear' is the driver for the thrillseeker! We could get lost up here and not be found for a month! We plod on down a freezing hillside and over the Liffey at Ballysmuttan Bridge. We reach the top of Black Hill and down a pixylated lake at 45 degrees through Billy Byrnes Gap. The dawn came and we caught sight of Cristy Moore's Pollaphuca. We had porridge at Ballinagree and went on unguided at this stage for Art's Cross and started to pass people out! Up 500ft to Art's Cross was great fun til we neared the top and the chill winds enveloped us and we took a quick photo. There was a river flowing down against us and my hand went in up to my elbow in places the peat was so soft! We navigated between three lakes and Conavalla by the map and compass. I fell in ten bog holes, roared each time and fell through the wooden bridge at 'Table Track' and lost the sandwich I was about to take a bite out of. We followed the Avonbeg river to Glenmalure, took a minibus to the Glenmalure Inn and a coach from there to the Luas station. I arrived in the outskirts of Dublin and eventually arrived back where I started the night before at about twenty to five. Jean picked me up and brought me back to Rathfarnam where I hit the hay for a few hours. Deirdre and Mary got the 5pm train to Cork and slept most of the journey! The Fund is progressing reasonably well. Thanks to all who have contributed or are thinking of doing so! Andrew O'Farrell, Deirdre O'Reilly and Mary Walsh. |
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About my charity C.A.S.A. is a voluntary organisation founded in 1981, whose goal is to develop friendships Click here for more information |
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My Online Sponsors to Date
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