"It was hell" - Mayo man completes challenge of running for 24-hours around Achill

For Mayo man, Toirlach Dever running for 24 hours around his home parish of Achill was always going to be a once in a lifetime moment and after staggering across the finish line he insisted he won't be doing it again.

“My advice to anyone is don't ever do that,” he said minutes after completing the mammoth task on Saturday afternoon.

The Achill GAA footballer set himself the challenge of running for 24 hour hours around Achill in order to raise money for Grow, a mental health charity. He started the run from Glór na dTonn community centre in Currane on Friday afternoon and over the next 24 hours he pushed his body to the limit and ran around the entire Achill parish before finishing at Coláiste Acla in Dooega where a large crowd welcomed him home.

Over the 24 hour period he ran the equivalent of three marathons and while the weather stayed dry and calm, he had to brave freezing overnight temperatures.

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The 27-year-old from Saula on Achill Island admitted after finishing that it was the toughest thing he has ever put himself through but at the same time he enjoyed every minute of the journey.

“That was hell...I really challenged myself there. I am going to look back at this in years to come and think this was unbelievable. I enjoyed every minute of it but by God it was painful,” he told The Mayo News.

Toirlach ran continuously for the majority of the 24 hours stopping only on two occasions for short food breaks and to refresh his legs before continuing on the journey. As well as the sleep deprivation, overnight the temperatures fell to minus two degrees Celsius on the island and Toirlach admitted that this was a challenging section mentally as much as physically.

“Down in Dugort and Slievemore and around Dooagh, I didn't feel I would be able to do it. It was tough going through the night. I had to dig really deep but we got there and got through it...step by step and village by village we got there,” he said.

Throughout the run, Toirlach was accompanied by friends and other runners to keep him going and a number of his Achill GAA team-mates joined him on the final few kilometres to the finish. He said the support he received from them and the Achill community who came out to greet him on his journey really spurred him on.

“Only for the ones who were with me I am not sure if it would have been done. The Achill community is unbelievable. There are no words to describe how the entire community wrapped themselves around me this weekend. It was absolutely class. Everyone who put out flags, who came out running with me and cheered me on to keep me going, it was unbelievable. I have to say a big thanks to everyone.”

Apart from the personal challenge in running for 24 hours, Toirlach used the run to raise funds for Grow a mental health charity and raise awareness of mental health. A target of €5,000 was set but by the time Toirlach completed the challenge over €16,000 was raised and he hopes it will help someone overcome their own challenges.

“The support for the charity is unbelievable. We have raised nearly three times what the original goal was and I hope it goes to good use and helps someone now or down the line. I really hope it makes a difference and highlights that even down here in the very west of the country that we feel that impact too,” he said before adding that he was looking forward to some sleep to catch up on.

To support Toirlach on his 24-hour run challenge, please visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/24ACLA.