A GROUP of walkers and runners will set out from the gates of Dublin Castle this Friday to retrace the route taken by Art and Henry O’Neill and Red Hugh O’Donnell in their escape from the castle in 1592. They will be trying to raise funds for a young Cork man who has been left paralysed following a rugby accident.
Stuart Mangan (24), Fermoy, Co Cork, is paralysed from the neck down following a freak accident during a club rugby match in London on last April 5th.
The C1 complete spinal injury – one of the worst sports injuries – has also left him unable to breathe without the aid of a ventilator. Medical experts in Britain say it could cost Mr Mangan’s family up to €7 million to provide for his long- term care. Fundraising efforts have been under way in recent months with members of the public being asked to contribute this Friday to walkers/runners who are participating in the Art O’Neill event on behalf of the Mangan appeal.
The hike will begin at the midnight, the time of the dramatic escape of Art, Henry and Hugh from Dublin Castle. Following the escape route, the hike will continue south over the Dublin and Wicklow mountains under a full moon.
The Art O’Neill running race will begin two hours after the start of the challenge hike along the same route. A group of experienced distance runners will take part in the 52 km event.
This ultra running event will be a race of tactics. The field will leave the start at Dublin Castle and follow the fast, flat paths out of Dublin city, south towards the Wicklow mountains. Athletes will begin to catch the hike group and hopefully get encouragement as they speed past. Up to 300 people are expected to take part in both events.
Meanwhile, a small army of Wren Boys took to the road on St Stephen’s Day to raise funds for Mr Mangan. Fermoy trio Daniel Ryan, Eamon McGur and Neilus de Roiste decided to use the ancient Christmas tradition of the Wren Boys to raise funds for the Stuart Mangan Trust. More than 30 teams of Wren boys and girls provided traditional musical, dancing and entertainment in return for a donation to the Stuart Mangan Trust.
Donations can be made to the Stuart Mangan Trust at AIB, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co Cork, account number 17 56 91 01, sort code 93-60-81, or at www.art oneillchallenge.com