Cashel Lions Club members rise to the challenge to support a good cause

The Cashel Lions Club Galtee Mountains End to End Challenge ended on a quiet country lane close to the village of Anglesborough in county Limerick just after five o’clock on Saturday September 23.

For once, Willie Fahey, DJ Horan and Eddie Morrissey were relieved and indeed delighted to see the Limerick flags flying high in the breeze as they emerged from the low cloud and fog on the western foothills of the Galtee Mountains as this meant that a most challenging day was coming to a close.
Due to the poor weather forecast which included strengthening south-easterly winds the group made the strategic and wise decision to start the challenge just off the Mountain Road in Cahir and head into the west just before eight o’clock on Saturday morning.

The challenge started in bright and calm conditions but this was the proverbial calm before the storm. As the group reached Farbreaga, which is just over ten kilometres into the thirty one kilometre trek, it was necessary to resort to putting on all available rain gear.

For the remainder of the day, the group had to deal with the remnants of Hurricane Nigel which increased the level of the challenge with a mixture of gusting wind, low clouds, and heavy rainfall that tested the navigation skills and the resilience of the three Lions. Galtee Mór and the high peaks in the western Galtees were effectively deserted as the group strategically trekked westward in the gathering gloom before the long descent into the bright and green Limerick countryside.
The arrival of transport home, provided by Cashel Lions Club member Pat Maher, to a wet and windy gateway at the foot of the western Galtees, was greeted with cheers and smiles before a speedy change into dry clothing for the journey back to Cashel.

CHALLENGE
The three members of Cashel Lions Club were accompanied throughout the challenge by Margaret Hayes who is a member of Mid Tipp Hillwalking Club. The group was also joined on part of the journey by Kate Fahey, who had driven the group to the start of the trek at the eastern end of the Galtees just outside Cahir. Kate is also a member of Mid Tipp Hillwalkers and a loyal supporter of Cashel Lions Club.

While the day was challenging, the group were driven along, not just by the wind, but also by the tremendous response that Cashel Lions Club received in recent weeks to their appeal for donations and sponsorship for the Galtee Mountains End to End Challenge.

All funds raised will be used to fund a new minibus with wheelchair access for the Cashel Day Care Centre. This much needed investment will greatly enhance the ability of the Cashel Day Care Centre to meet the growing need for its services and activities. The response from local people and local businesses has been exceptional as was the generosity of the public during the street collection on Friday, September 22.
The Galtee End to End Challenge may have ended but local people and businesses still have an opportunity to support the challenge and help purchase the minibus by giving a donation or sponsorship to any member of Cashel Lions Club or into the fundraising barrel in Affinity Credit Union, Cashel.
Similarly, the online fundraising page will remain active until October 31st. The online fundraising page can be accessed on, www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/
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Cashel Lions Club would like to thank each and every person who so generously supported the challenge and who has made it possible for Cashel Lions Club and their friends in the Cashel Day Care Centre to look forward to seeing the new minibus on the road early in 2024. Further details on the challenge, including a link to the fundraising page and some photographs from a challenging day on the Galtees are available on the Cashel Lions Club Facebook page.