Valentia RNLI welcomes Mary during her ‘lap of the map’ run endeavours

ON Wednesday, March 14, the Valentia RNLI fraternity were delighted to greet a woman named Mary Hickey as she visited the station on her run through Ireland for the RNLI. Mary, aged 65, started her journey on New Year’s Day 2018 from the Arklow Lifeboat Station. Her aim is to run ‘round the entire coast of the island of Ireland, quite literally a “lap of the map” in aid of the RNLI. To date Mary has completed all 38 Dublin City Marathons.

She arrived in Cahersiveen on Monday, 12 March, and stayed there for two nights, compliments of QC’s Townhouse Accommodation.

On Wednesday March 14 she made her way to the Valentia RNLI Lifeboat station.

Linda O’Mahony of Ardcost ran the whole way from Cahersiveen to Valentia with her and she was also joined at the start by Eilish Dennehy of Renard with the Valentia RNLI Cox Richard Quigley joining her at the Bridge. On passing through Chapeltown, the St Derarca School Principal John Daly had his pupils out to cheer her on.

She received a very warm welcome at the Lifeboat Station and lunch was provided to her.on the Wednesday night she stayed at the Royal Hotel, Knightstown and on Thursday, March 15, she made her way to Waterville from Valentia and she was joined by Eilis Dennehy, Irene McCarthy (Cahersiven) and Colette O’Sullivan ( Waterville).

She received a great welcome in Waterville village where Ger and Deirdre Curran from O’Dwyers. The Villa looked after her for the night. To top it off she got to meet the legendary former Kerry football trainer Mick O’Dwyer. On the following day Mary headed for Sneem. The Valentia RNLI personnel extend all good wishes to her in her endeavours and also extend thanks for her visit.