Dillon Quirke Foundation to benefit from charity walk taking place in Tipperary

The launch of the Moonlight Walk took place at Aherlow House Hotel, on Wednesday August 6. Special guests for the launch were Tipperary hurlers, Jason Forde and Johnny Ryan. Representing the beneficiary, the Dillon Quirke Foundation, was Dan Quirke, father of the late Dillon Quirke.

Hillary Hardwell from the Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society, welcomed everyone to the Launch of Moonlight Walk 2025 in association with Aherlow House Hotel. Hillary spoke about the arrangements for the 2025 walk. "The walk will take place on Saturday August 30 at 8pm from Aherlow House Hotel. Registration will be from 7pm with some music and a very energetic zumba before the walk commences at 8pm.

"The walk consists of a trail around the hotel and afterwards there will be refreshments courtesy of Aherlow House Hotel, followed by music. The Moonlight Walk has been a very fond memory for people, so we are delighted to relaunch it again this year. Over the years the walk has raised over €150,000 for various charities and we are delighted that the charity to benefit this year is the Dillon Quirke Foundation. The mission statement of the charity is a heartfelt one to save the lives
of young people through their cardiac screening programme, so it is a very worthy charity" said Hillary.

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Dan Quirke from the Dillon Quirke Foundation was present and he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Tipperary players for their attendance. "I would like to thank Jason and Johnny for being here to assist with the launch. As a team and a panel they have been of great support to us and Dillon was with these guys a couple of years ago so it is great to have their support. It is magnificent for us to be the beneficiary of the Moonlight Walk. To date we have screened over 16,000 and many
lives have been saved as a result. Without the help of the Moonlight Walk and many other fundraisers around the country this would not be possible, so we are delighted to have the support of this event" said Dan.

Jason Forde spoke of their delight at winning the All Ireland. "The winning of the All Ireland was a very 'sweet one' and to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand from where we were last year took a massive effort from the whole group. We are delighted to get behind the Moonlight Walk and support the Dillon Quirke Foundation as the work they are doing is absolutely brilliant " said Jason.

Johnny Ryan whose family have a Minor All Ireland, two Under 20 All Ireland's and now a Senior All Ireland also spoke and added his support. "Winning these All Ireland's don't go unnoticed but there are no airs and graces, it's down to what we can do next with more training and more hard work to try and bring further success. It's always a team effort and I am surrounded by Jason and all the other boys that have done the business for this year and please God we can do it again next year " said Johnny.

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Sponsorship cards for the walk are now available from the Glen of Aherlow Tourist Office at 062-56331 and from Aherlow House Hotel at 062-56153. It is hoped that cards will also be available shortly in local outlets. A reminder that the walk takes place on Saturday August 30 at 8pm, with registration from 7pm.