Hills4Hugh cycle from Craughwell to Cnoc Fola to remember beloved father-of-three

A gruelling 300km cycle from Craughwell in Co Galway to Cnoc Fola on the rugged west Donegal coast will remember a much-loved father-of-three-this weekend.

Hugh McFadden, a native of Cnoc Fola, lived in Galway since 2003 and passed away following an illness in March of this year, leaving behind wife Edel and his beloved daughters Aileen, Maya and Anna.

Now, a group of friends and neighbours will mark his passing with a voyage to raise money for the Galway Hospice.

Close to 30 cyclists and their backup team taking part in Hills4Hugh will leave Craughwell on Friday and are expected to arrive in Gaoth Dobhair shortly after 4pm on Saturday.

The event will finish at Ionad Pobail, Chnoc Fola and Hugh’s family would deeply appreciate your support by joining at the finish line to welcome the cyclists. A Mass for the happy repose of Hugh’s soul will also be held in Teach Pobail Cholmcille, Cnoc Fola, at 12.30pm on Sunday, September 28.

The fundraiser has already gathered over €30,000 and you can donate here:  https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/Galway2Donegal

The last weekend in September held a deep significance as it marked Hugh’s wedding anniversary as well as the birthdays of his wife and eldest daughter. 

“Hugh faced his illness with immense courage and grace, never losing his humour or warmth - even in his final days,” organisers say.

“He is dearly missed on the sidelines of Craughwell Camogie games and Craughwell United soccer matches, where he was always the proudest supporter of his girls.”

A strategic buyer at Covidien and Medtronic, Hugh was an ardent sports fan. 

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A son of the late Paddy and Máire McFadden, he was a proud son of Gaoth Dobhair and regularly travelled home to support the local GAA team and he was also an avid Donegal fan. Liverpool and Celtic were close to his heart, too.

Rob Mullett, who is the logistics person for the cycle, told the Connacht Tribune: “It was on the night of his funeral, seeing the outpouring of support, the buses lined up on the Main Street, a group of us got chatting, wanting some mechanism that would connect the two parishes.

“Although 300km apart, these two communities, mourning one great guy, felt close on that evening. It got me thinking about how we could reciprocate, to keep that connection alive.”