A group of hardy climbers will next month embark on a remarkable charity challenge which will see them climb 26 mountains, across the 32 counties in just 10 days.
The event, which will get underway on June 8th, will honour Irish Coast Guard volunteer and mother-of-two Caitríona Lucas who lost her life in the line of duty in September 2016.
Leading the Caitríona Lucas Challenge 2018 will be Caitríona’s husband Bernard, also a member of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard.
The climbs will begin on June 8th when the team will take on Carrauntoohil in Kerry, Ireland’s highest peak. The challenge is expected to be completed following one final climb on Caitríona’s birthday, June 18th, when Bernard and his team scale Clare’s highest peak, Moylussa.
Bernard Lucas said: “This is something that hasn’t been done before and we know it’s ambitious. Several counties share a peak. Mount Leinster, for example, forms the high point of both Carlow and Wexford. We have a good group of six people and we have been training hard. Most days we will do three or four climbs.”
Bernard will be joined for the challenge by Caitríona’s sister Bríd as well as Deirdre Linnane, Gwenn Frin, Michael Healy and Barry Hannigan.
“Monies collected during the event will go to the Friends of Ennistymon Hospital. Any groups or individuals who want to join us on any of the mountains are welcome. We are also looking for accommodation in various places and sponsorship if people can help out,” Bernard added.
“This is something we had planned on doing as a family before the accident, not all at one time, but Deirdre came up with the idea of doing it for Caitríona,” Bernard explained.
Doolin Coast Guard member Deirdre Linnane said, “I just wanted to do something in honour of Caitríona because I was very close to her. She was always into hill climbing and outdoor activities and this idea came to me one day. I got onto a friend to see if it was possible to do it and then I pitched it to Bernard.”
“We don’t think it has been done before. I actually read a book that suggested doing all the peaks over a year. We hope to do it in ten days,” she added.
Since her untimely death, Caitríona has received several posthumous honours including Clare Person of the Year and a BSc Degree in Information and Library Studies from Aberystwyth University in Wales.
Back – Ben Lucas, Pat O’Donnell – Photo: © Pat Flynn 2017
The librarian had been studying by distance learning whilst working as a librarian for Clare County Council, and volunteering for the Irish Coast Guard and the Search and Rescue Dog Association.
Last September, Doolin Coast Guard station was renamed in honour of Caitríona.
**You can donate here.
Bank Details for contributions:
Contributions to Friends of Ennistymon Hospital welcome at the following account:
IBAN: IE90 BOFI 9042 2970 6959 36
BIC: BOFIIE2D
Contributors are asked to mark their donation “The Caitríona Challenge”.
Climbing schedule
8th June
7am – Carrauntoohil
2.30 – Knockby
9th June
7am – Galtymore
1pm – Knockmealdown
4.50pm – Brandon Hill
10th June
8am – Mt Leinster
12pm – Lugnaquilla
11th June
8am – Cupidstown Hill
9am – Kippure
2.15pm – Arderin
12th June
9am – Slieve na Calliagh
10am – Mullaghmeen
1.30pm – Corn Hill
13th June
9am – Slieve Gullion
11.30 – Slieve Foye
14th June
7am – Slieve Donard
2pm – Trostan
6pm – Sawel
15th June
10am – Errigal
3.30pm – Truskmore
16th June
9am – Seltannasaggart
12am – Cuilcagh
17th June
10am – Mweelrea
2.30pm – Benbaun
18th June
10am – Moylussa