Story
In July 2019, on my 39th birthday we lost one of our closest friends; John Blaney to a tragic accident. (John is far left in our team photo.)
It is in memory of John and the incredibly positive impact he had on so many lives, we have decided to take on this challenge.
The challenge is the UK and Ireland 5 peaks. That is to climb the highest peaks in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland, North and South. We will climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Slieve Donard and Carrauntoohil in that order hopefully all within 48 hours.
The story started back in 2013 when a few of us had discussed taking on the UK and Ireland 5 peaks challenge. At that time we ended up not taking on that challenge but instead John Blaney and I completed the UK 3 peaks 24 hours challenge (highest peaks in Scotland, England & Wales). In July 2022 my brother Seamus and I will go back and finish the job.
My brother’s wife Gobnait and her brother Paddy will be our support crew and drivers. For this we are extremely grateful as the amount of driving involved is a huge challenge in itself!
The challenge was originally planned for July 2020 but unfortunately we were forced to postpone twice due to travel restrictions and later, quarantine rules relating to the pandemic.
In the interim last year, in July 2021 we completed the Irish 4 Peaks challenge as there was no quarantine rules when travelling just within this Island.
The Irish 4 Peaks was to climb the highest peak in each of the 4 provinces of Ireland. Carrauntoohil in Munster, Mweelrea in Connacht, Lugnaquilla in Leinster and Slieve Donard in Ulster.
We set out from near Fermoy, County Cork on July 17th and finished in Downpatrick, Co Down on July 19th.
Follow our progress on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/branagh5peaks2022
All expenses for both challenges have been paid for by ourselves. Sponsorship goes directly to Air Ambulance NI.