27 April 2017

The 6th annual charity ‘Climb to Remember’ to the summit of Carrauntoohil takes place on Sunday, May 14th and will see people from all over Munster rise to the challenge of climbing Ireland’s highest peak in memory of a loved one, with funds raised going towards The Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Proceeds raised at this year’s ‘Climb to Remember’ will benefit the various appeals being run by the Mercy Hospital Foundation – the Mercy Heart + Stroke Appeal, the Mercy Cancer Appeal, the Mercy ICU Appeal, and the Mercy Kids + Teens Appeal, enhancing services in each of these areas at The Mercy University Hospital, which serves patients from all over Munster.

Pre-event registration is essential, and participants can sign up at www.mercyfundraising.ie. The registration fee for the Carrauntoohil climb on May 14th is €25. A second ‘Climb to Remember’ takes place the following month on Sunday, June 11th up the Galtees, and for anyone interested in doing both, the fee is €45.

Sign in will take place at Cronin’s Yard from 9am till 9:45am. At 10am participants will begin their climb from Cronin’s Yard to the summit of Carrauntoohil. The climb will take around 5 ½ - 6 hours including a break.

Hikers will walk from Cronin’s Yard to base of Carrauntohill. Travelling up Brother O Shea’s Gully and past the Beenkeeragh Ridge they will reach the top of Brother O Shea’s and will be greeted with a spectacular view down into Coomloughra with Dingle Bay and the Brandon group to the northwest. Passing the top of the Central and Curved Gullies climbers will emerge onto the summit. After reaching the summit and following a break for photographs and food, it will be time to make the descent back to Cronin’s Yard down the Devils Ladder. Routes are subject to change depending on the weather on the day.

‘Climb to Remember’ founder, Betty O’Sullivan Halpin, from Listowel, who lost her mother Bernie to cancer in 2010, said “The care given to my mother before her passing at the Mercy was tremendous, and Climb to Remember is just a little way to say “thank you” to the wonderful team in the Hospital. When you lose a loved one, you feel as though life will never again be the same. The Climb to Remember is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and remember someone who’s passed on. I find doing the climbs really therapeutic, and even though they can be tough in parts, I love the fact that I’m doing it in memory of that special person.”

Deirdre Finn, Community & Events Fundraiser at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors like those who step up to the mark, and ‘Climb to Remember’ year after year.”

‘Climb to Remember’ is open to anyone over 16 years of age and those interested must register by logging onto www.mercyfundraising.ie or calling (021) 4274076. Please note that registration will NOT be available on the morning of the event.