Hundreds climb Croagh Patrick in honour of Aughamore’s James McNeive

When James McNeive passed away suddenly in a road accident at the age of 28, the shockwaves rippled far beyond his hometown of Aughamore. His loss was deeply personal for his brother, Matthew McNeive, but also profoundly communal — evidenced by the 6,000 people who attended his wake.

James was more than a brother. He was a best friend, a pillar of his community, and to hear Matthew describe him, the heart of every family gathering. “He was the most loyal person you’d meet in your life,” Matthew says. “He was selfless. He’d do anything for anyone.”

READ MORE: 5 Peak Challenge honours Mayo’s James McNeive and raises over €100k for charity

That selflessness was never more apparent than in James’s willingness to donate a kidney. “Before James’ passing, he was in the midst of getting prepared to either give a kidney to me or on behalf of me as part of a kidney sharing scheme in Belfast,” Matthew explains. “He’d have done anything for me. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of his passing, that wasn’t an option at the time.”

But the spirit James embodied in life - his energy, loyalty, and boundless generosity - now forms the cornerstone of the James McNeive Foundation, launched by his brothers and cousins. “The foundation was kind of set up in a way to try and convey it to people who didn't know him,” Matthew says. “I think we’ll never truly capture his energy and his presence and his spirit, but we're gonna give it a go.”

Tribute

They've more than given it a go. Last Saturday, a thousand people gathered at the base of Croagh Patrick, and 800 made it to the peak in a moving tribute to James as part of a five-peak challenge. “Everyone in Knock was there. Everyone in Aghamore was there,” Matthew recalls. “There were people coming from all over, even those who had been living in Australia who flew back just for the event because of how much James meant.

The result? An astonishing €135,890 has been raised so far from more than 1,300 donors. These funds will be distributed to selected charities after James’s one-year anniversary on August 4. “We’ll close it off in August around the time of the anniversary and then will distribute the funds raised,” says Matthew.

READ MORE: Family and friends of late Aghamore footballer James McNeive to climb five mountains for charity

For those who knew him, James was a magnetic presence - especially around children. “He was definitely the fun uncle to my nieces and nephew,” Matthew laughs.

Whether it was organising sports days, sparking laughter, or bringing people together, James made sure joy followed wherever he went. “He was a beacon of light,” Matthew says.

The five-peak challenge was just the beginning. “This isn’t a one-off event,” Matthew insists. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing. Won’t be five peaks every year - I’ll tell you that for nothing - but it’s definitely going to be the start of something.”

A gig is planned for the August Bank Holiday and the foundation will keep the “iDonate” page open until just after James’s anniversary. Then, the next chapter in his legacy will begin.

Though James is gone, his impact - much like the light he brought into every room - continues to shine. “The foundation is to keep his name and legacy alive,” Matthew says. “It'll always be alive for us.”

In truth, it’s now alive for many more. All proceeds raised as part of Five Peaks Challenge will be donated to the following charities/good causes: Make-A-Wish Ireland - Children's Charity, Daisy Lodge, Irish Kidney Association, Mayo MindSpace, Irish Heart Foundation, Bekan National School, Aghamore National School, Glasnevin National School, Gortskehy National School, Knock National School, Tooreen National School, Barnacarroll National School, Ballyhaunis National School, St. Louis Community School, Aghamore GAA Club and Eastern Gaels GAA Club.

If you would like to donate to the James McNeive Foundation, please click here.