Brian Mc and Kevin O'R fundraising for Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team in Art O’Neill Challenge 2025

The Art O'Neill Pursuit is a 60km+ run/hike into the Dublin Mountains, at night, in January. It's a fundraiser for the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) who are the volunteer rescue service who come to the assistance of lost hikers and injured walkers and those eejits who drive their 4x4s up to the Sallygap when it's impassable. Together we'll recreate Art O'Neill's 1592 escape from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure. Art's escape companion Red Hugh O’Donnell lost two toes to frostbite - and indeed Art died - so it's no small challenge. We won't have to climb down the privy, but it will still be a tough night - especially if we're unlucky with the weather. It's not looking warm this week! All we're asking from you is a small donation to DWMRT to help support the amazing and selfless work they do in all conditions, all year round. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

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Full report with photos at https://ramblingsofanirishman.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-art-oneill-challenge-2025.html

published by Brian Mc and Kevin O'R on 02/10/2025 07:35

Live tracking is now available at https://live.primaltracking.com/aon2025/

published by Brian Mc and Kevin O'R on 25/09/2025 16:16

Anyway, for the entertainment of us putting ourselves through this stupidity, anything you can spare for DWMRT would be much appreciated!

published by Brian Mc and Kevin O'R on 15/09/2025 17:51

Anyway, that meant all our lack of training went out the window. The strength and conditioning we hadn't built up atrophied, and we had to start over. But we had months of notice to prepare and get in shape. Since then we've been on one (1) recce and three (3) runs together, for a grand total of 30km. That's half the length of the actual event. So hopefully our plan to stubbornly keep going until our bodies fall apart will see us through.

published by Brian Mc and Kevin O'R on 15/09/2025 17:51

So apparently next week, we're finally doing our overnight 60km run/walk/hike/crawl. You may remember it was supposed to happen a lifetime ago in January, but it was postponed due to heavy snowfall. The good folks at Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team thought it wouldn't be a great look if they had to rescue their own fundraisers I guess.

published by Brian Mc and Kevin O'R on 15/09/2025 17:50

About Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team

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Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) is a volunteer rescue service, available 24 hours per day, every day, to respond to emergencies in upland areas of Dublin, Wicklow, and Louth. DWMRT's mission is to provide a professional-standard, voluntary emergency rescue service. The team comprises 60 highly-trained, motivated, volunteer mountain rescuers, coming from all walks of life, and united by a common love of the outdoors. DWMRT works to provide an emergency search and rescue response in upland and remote parts of our operational area. DWMRT is part-funded by the Irish government, but the team's operational costs far exceed the government funding we receive. The rest of our operational costs are met by donations, grants, and fundraising events. The team is always grateful for any financial support we receive, without that support we couldn't do what we do.

About Art O’Neill Challenge 2025 Fundraising Campaign

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The AON Challenge commemorates the 1592 escape from Dublin Castle by Art O'Neill, his brother Henry, and Red Hugh O'Donnell. The Challenge is a 60km race on road and open mountain starting in Dublin Castle and finishing at Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow. This event is organised by, and solely for the benefit of Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Find out more at https://artoneill.ie/
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