Annual Mayo fundraising walk to take place next month

The Tochar Phadraig fundraising walk will return this year, taking place on May 4.

The Tochar Phadraig is a walkway that leads from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick. The old pilgrim road stretches 22 miles across mid-Mayo on a route that is both cross-country and on quiet rural roads.

Westport native Robbie McCarthy set up the Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Walk 16 years ago. Having passed the route many times, he always wanted to try it out, but never felt he had the time nor fitness levels to attempt it.

One day in 2008 he called his two brothers-in-law, John Haran and John Richard, and his good friend John Mulkeen and explained his brainwave to take on this 22 mile challenge whilst raising money for charity. 

None of them had ever attempted such a trek, but they were delighted to get on board. 

The first year of the walk had 14 participants and raised €18,000 for the Share a Dream Foundation.

Each year the event grew bigger and better, but unfortunately, due to Covid-19 the fundraiser had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021. 

Mr McCarthy was thrilled for the walk to return in 2022, and for the last two years there have been over 50 walkers, some as young as 10 years old.

He said: “On May 4 I am asking people to join me as we undertake the 14th Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Walk. This year we will be raising money for Mayo Roscommon Hospice and GOAL. We have chosen a local and international charity.”

Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said they are ‘so grateful’ to be chosen as one of the charities for this year's walk. 

“We are dependent on community fundraisers to fund, support and develop this vital service that looks after over 1000 patients annually in the community and in our hospices in Mayo and Roscommon. Thanks so much to everyone involved in this event,” she added.

_{The poster for the Tochar Phadraig fundraiser walk}

Salina, Senior Fundraising Manager for GOAL, said: “For over 40 years, GOAL's humanitarian work has been empowered by the generosity of our community fundraisers. We're so honoured and grateful to be one of the charities selected by the Tochar Phadraig Walk this year. As humanitarian crises around the world continue to increase in both number and intensity, this support is more important than ever.

Last year, GOAL reached over 10 million people across 14 countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Ukraine with humanitarian aid and development programmes. GOAL has also partnered with a Palestinian NGO, Taawon, to deliver life-saving aid to families in Gaza, including food and water,” she continued.

The fundraising walk, proudly supported by Ballintubber Abbey, will start at 06.15am from Ballintubber Abbey, with a free bus providing transport from Westport town to the starting line.

There will be food and toilet stops on route, as well as support vehicles. 

“22 miles can be daunting for some people, but the best thing about this walk is you can do as little or as much as you want. The first 10 miles will be via field and this will bring us out to Aughagower. People can decide to join here and continue the next 12 miles via road,” concuded Mrt McCarthy.

For more information, to register or donate, see Tochar Phadraig’s iDonate page, or contact Robbie McCarthy on 0868233330.