We drew a line under the fundraising for 2017 and the total fund available was €4,896.

So, half of that is ring fenced for the 'Mend The Mountain Fund' and the balance is divided equally between - Ballyporeen Community Council Ltd., Good Morning South Tipperary and Grange Community Council Ltd.

We'll present them with those drafts for €816 each in the next week or so.

Well done hillwalkers, and everyone else associated with the event.

And, Thank You!!!
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You can still support/donate, as we'll run it again next year.

Cross the length of the Comeragh Mountains. Cross the length of the Galtee Mountains. Cross the length of the Knockmealdown Mountains . . . . .

Indeed, traverse the length of all three mountain ranges over three intense days. This is the ask, so as to complete the Triple Crossing that is the incredible Fei Sheehy Challenge. . . . With Hurricane Gert howling at the ankles -

Jim Holmes describes this year's Fei Sheehy Challenge!

Read on... 

I've opened up registration for 2017 as I know some of you like to commit early. The registration fees are the same (€50, €40 and €25). 3 days walking for €50, where else would you get it. No pseudo inflation here.

Some of you will probably want to gift a registration to a walking buddy as a stocking filler. Imagine their delight when they hear you've signed them up for (up to) three days challenge level hill walking next August.

If you're in a club you might want to 'adopt a walker' as your good deed for 2017. I know there are club members that want to take part but just need a bit of encouragement. Take them under your wing. You'll feel good. They'll feel good. Win. Win.

I haven't decided on a beneficiary(s) yet.

Dates are : 18th, 19th and 20th of August 2017

It's limited to 75 walkers.
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http://www.feisheehychallenge.net/registration.html

“Inaction weighs heavy on the shoulders of restless men and women.”

There’s an innate decency in every person that has supported the Fei Sheehy Challenge. The walkers, those that registered but couldn’t make it, the crew on the ground, the product/prize sponsors, those that donated and sponsored walkers, and everyone else who provided assistance in making the event happen. It’s a great testament to the Titans and Titanides of the hillwalking community.

At the end of the day, it’s a fundraiser and we’re doing it for someone else.

I could write paragraphs on the weather over the three days, but we defied it without incident and that’s what matters.

What I will say is that, the forecast was ‘Monsoonish’. Friday granted us an armada of cloud with the odd ‘cannon’ fire of rain but all agreed that it could have been worse. Saturday was a day that you’d find in an Antarctic explorers log book and it was ferociously difficult to plant the toes of the rear foot in front of the advanced heels on Galtybeg. Sunday was a ‘pleasant’ day, considering what went before.  

It really was a baptism of fire for those that were new to the event and the toughest year yet for the regulars. Everyone had the fitness levels and navigational ability to get the job done safely. The weather dictated that walking in a group was logical and who better to follow on the Comeragh’s than a man that’s on first name terms with all the peat hags.
   
The Club challenge trophy was retained by Peaks Mountaineering Club Clonmel but I’ve seen a FB post where a firm gauntlet has been thrown down by another club to stop the treble. Could the All-Ireland Hillwalking Club title be heading to Dublin? Could they both be ambushed by another club?

The energy and chat in Ballyporeen, after three tough days, was something to behold. You’d think that folk would be anxious to get away after getting drowned on the mountains, but no.

What better way to end the event than to have a feast of sandwiches, bracks, tarts, queen cakes, jam & cream sponge, coffee cake, bowls of chocolate ( all washed down with tea or coffee ) and a chat about this challenge and what one they’re doing next. There’s a common bond amongst all these people; it’s an absolute love of hillwalking.

Participant List

Pat Beardmore, Pavel Madar Bodi, David Browne, Patrick Dennis, Kevin Finn, Ian Fitzgerald, Steven Forde, Sean Freeman, Patrick Harraghy, Michael Kearney, Justin Kelleher, David Kiely, Noreen McCarthy, Gerry McVeigh, Michael Moroney, Josephine O’Brien, Mary O’Connell, Bridie O’Connor, Ronan O’Connor, Kevin O’Donnell, Pat O’Loan, Muiris O’Suilleabhain, Bart O’Sullivan, Ken Quinlivan, Michael Rea, Billy Sheehan, Gerard Sheehy and Mark Vesey.  

Sign-In/Sign-Out, Stand-By and Catering

Margo, Martha, Tom, Pat, Nuala, Eimear, Kate.

​Awards Ceremony Presenter

Lian Sheehy

Event Stats.

47 Registered
28 Participated
14 did 3 days
5 did 2 days
9 did 1 day.

10 Participants were new to the event

6 did 3 days
1 did 2 days
3 did 1 day.
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Peaks Mountaineering Club had 3 that did 3 days, 2 that did 2 days and 2 that did 1 day.

2 participants did the treble in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

​It's not too late to help with a donation. You can do so by clicking 'The Money Part' tab, above.

Less than a month to go before registration closes and the organisation is going well. I just said I'd bring you up to date with the following: 

• Registrations are slightly up on the same day last year so hopefully we'll have a bigger turnout
• The medals have been ordered (image below)
• The Certificates are ready (see sample below)
• We were awarded a grant of €500 from Clonmel Borough Council (Community Grant Scheme)
• I did an interview with a reporter fro the Irish Examiner which will hopefully translate into an article, before the event
• Insurance has been arranged  
• Itinerary will be emailed to participants when registration closes

Gerard.