Donegal public urged to ‘Climb Errigal Together’ as charity event is launched

An Chúirt Hotel in Gaoth Dobhair was the venue for Tuesday night’s launch of ‘Climb Errigal Together’ which takes place on Saturday, April 2.
Headed up by Donegal County Councillor, Ciaran Brogan, the event is being organised as part of the fundraising campaign initiated by former RTÉ journalist, Charlie Bird, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease four months ago.
During an interview with Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show in January, Mr Bird said he will climb Croagh Patrick in Mayo on April 2 with family and close friends in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
MC for the local launch, Damien Ó Dónaill, said that Mr Bird’s appearance had probably been one of the hardest things to watch.
“But I think when he spoke on the second night of The Late Late Show, it gave people a little more courage and a little bit hope,” he added.
Damien explained that subsequently, the pair had been in regular contact and that Charlie was keen to attend the ‘Climb Errigal Together’ launch.

Neil Murray and Kevin Holian at Tuesday night's launch of 'Climb Errigal Together’

“Charlie wanted to be here, but because of circumstances, he couldn't make it. The phone beeped at ten to six this morning and it was Charlie asking me what did I want him to say,” he added, before playing the video message on the large screen.
In the video, Charlie said: “Hi to my Donegal friends. I'd like to wish you all the very best in that beautiful part of the country.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support. Many people are suffering, and I hope this event, along with the many other events on the day, will give people a lift and some hope.
“Good luck to everyone on the Errigal Climb on April 2 and thank you for the effort in making this happen. Thanks for extending that hand of friendship.”

Garda Sergeant John Gallagher, Garda Sergeant John Joe McClafferty, Eamonn McGee and Garda Inspector Seamus McGonagle at Tuesday’s event in An Chúirt Hotel, Gaoth Dobhair

The MC said he’d often spoken at similar events in the past, due to his work with Raidió Na Gaeltachta.
“Unfortunately, tonight is very different for me and us as a family. Our own Dad, Stephen, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease as we approached the summer season last year.
“To be very honest, it was a massive blow. I think when we left Beaumont Hospital that day after Dad’s consultation with Professor Orla Hardiman, we probably knew our lives had changed forever.”
He continued: “At the time, a very good family friend of ours, Vincent O’Donnell, was living and fighting this awful disease. Sadly, Vincent passed away on June 20, 2021, with Motor Neurone Disease.
“A lot of us in the room know who Vincent is and I’m glad that Vincent’s son, Rory, is here tonight.
“Rory had been on this journey and he knows better than all of us what it is like. Before his father’s diagnosis, we knew very little about Motor Neurone Disease. Since last May when we attended Beaumont Hospital, we have heard so many stories from everywhere.

John O'Donnell and Eugene McGettigan at Tuesday’s launch

“Sean Diver, a former colleague from RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta, is travelling tonight from Beaumont Hospital back to Gaoth Dobhair with his wife, Sarah, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease four months before our Dad.
“I met Sean for a coffee on Friday and he wanted to send his best wishes for tonight. Himself, Sarah, and their family are delighted that such an event is happening, and he said that Sarah had promised she would be at the foot of the mountain on April 2.”

THANKS
Event organiser, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, extended his thanks to all who had helped to date with the event.
“I knew the logistics of this were going to be huge and I want to thank Eamonn McGee for taking on the role as lead coordinator.
“He’s very experienced running rallies all over the country. He has put in a huge amount of work and it’s about everyone coming together and playing their part.”
Cllr Brogan also thanked the gardaí, the Civil Defence, Donegal Sports Partnership, local sports clubs and bus companies for their support.
“I think the Donegal togetherness will be very strong on the day and it will be a great community event,” he said.
“We’re all here as part of a team and hopefully, we can gather more people to be part of that team and get as many people involved as possible.
“Hopefully, on the evening of April 2, a lot of money will have been raised for the charities and there will be a real feel-good factor about after staging a very successful event,” he added.

Maria and Emmet Rushe

Event co-ordinator, Eamonn McGee, told the launch that everything on the day will be organised from the Dunlewey Centre. No parking will be permitted along the road for one kilometre on either side of the Errigal carpark, and those taking part in the climb will be bussed to and from the base of the mountain.
Teams of marshals will also be located along the climb.

“It’s going to take a big effort and if we can get a couple of bodies from each club it will make it easier to manage,” he added.
Edel Flynn from the Civil Defence said that one of its volunteers in the fire service, John Cunningham, had developed Motor Neurone Disease a number of years ago.
“For John, he thought it was the end. It certainly changed his life. It changed his family’s life and it changed his community around him.
“We were part of that community. We felt John still had something to give and he continues to give to Civil Defence and to the community of Donegal, because when we’re out on an operation, John is able to do our radios.
“We’re hoping on the day he will be able to do that for us.”

Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Stephen Ó Dónaill and Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher

Emmet Rushe, owner of Rushe Fitness in Letterkenny, spoke about the importance of preparing properly for the challenge of climbing Errigal.
“By the time you are up and back down Errigal, it’s about 4k and takes an average of about two hours to do that climb,” he said.
“So, what people need to do now is get out and get walking. Start off with a few small walks during the week and then use Saturday and Sunday to get up to that distance of 4 to 5k.”
For those planning to bring a rucksack with them on the day of the climb, Emmet advised that they should do the same on their longer training walks. He also stressed the importance of wearing the proper footwear and the proper attire.
Danny Devlin and Margaret Whyte spoke on behalf of Pieta North West, while regional nurse, Eithne Cawley, talked about the ongoing work of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Neil Murray from The Leader, who built the climberrigaltogether.com website, explained how people can register for the climb and donate to the cause.
“The site is now live and I would encourage everybody to share the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - the more we get it out there, the better,” he said.
“The social media handles are the same as the website address.”
To register to take part in ‘Climb Errigal Together’, follow the link
climberrigaltogether.com