The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Banter and craic ring out from top of the Reeks as Castleisland climbers hit summit
BREDA McGaley was part of the recent Carrauntoohil Cimb on Saturday August 5 as part of a fundraiser for the Ray of Sunshine Foundation.
Hannah Curtin, Charlie Farrelly, Martina O’Mahony and Willie Reidy are travelling to Kenya early next spring.
Breda is a keen photographer and a founder member of the Castleisland Camera Club – which was formed earlier this year.
As photographers do, Breda took her camera on Saturday’s climb with her – and she made great use of it.
If she appears in one or two of the photographs it was when guides or fellow climbers took the camera from her and obliged by clicking a frame or two.
“There was a huge turnout on the day and I think around 66 people did the climb. Although there was heavy rain as we set off on the climb, it cleared up soon after and a great day was had by all,” said Breda.
Regarding the climb and his reaction to its success, Charlie Farrelly emphasised the importance of the five guides who got the climbers up and down safely.
“I can’t stress enough their importance to the success of the day – they worked really hard and it was an unbelievable success. It took off really well for an idea that came about from a chat over a couple of pints with Willie Reidy and myself,” said Charlie.
“There was great banter and camaraderie on the climb and one of the lovely things about it was that 28 people actually fulfilled personal dreams of climbing Ireland’s highest mountain for the first time.
The Paudie Fitzmaurice Memorial Tractor Run on Sunday, September 10th is the next fundraising outing for the intrepid quadruplet and their mission of mercy to Kenya on February 2018.
Invitations are going out already for anything with wheels and an appearance of legality and road-worthiness about it. And there will be much more about it as the time nears.