Local charities to benefit from three-peak challenge

A UNIQUE three-peak charity challenge will take place in the twin communities of Killaloe and Ballina on October 13 and 14.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Alan Kelly recently launched the Boru3Peaks annual charity event, which will feature two day-time and one night-time hill walking and hill running events in the surrounding peaks of Tountinna, Moylussa and Keeper Hill.

All the funds raised will go to The Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services and the Clarisford Sports Ground Project, which will cater for hundreds of children and adults across the Shannonside towns. The event is organised by the Boru Tri Club.

Minister Kelly said the Boru3Peaks will enable participants to experience the stunning views of Killaloe, Ballina and Lough Derg from a new perspective, while at the same time raising funds for two important projects.

“This charity initiative is important for a number of different reasons. It promotes healthy activity among members of the local community, creates awareness of the awe-inspiring views and wonderful local amenities in the Killaloe/Ballina area and raises much-needed funds for local charities. I am especially delighted to learn from the event organisers that the Boru3Peaks will be marketed as a Gathering event in 2013,” Minister Kelly added.

According to former Ireland and Munster rugby star and Killaloe man, Anthony Foley, “I am delighted to lend my support to this event, which is the least I can do in light of the wonderful work being carried out by those involved with the Daughters of Charity and the Clarisford Sports Ground Project. The proposed recreational and sports facilities will, once completed, deliver significant benefits for the community for many years to come.”

Clarisford Sports Ground Project is the brainchild of former Irish and Munster rugby legend Keith Wood and will include two full-sized playing pitches, one all-weather floodlit pitch, floodlit training areas, 800m of walking/cycling trails, changing facilities, car parking and ancillary services.

The Daughters of Charity service provides support to both children and adults with moderate, severe or profound intellectual disabilities and includes day, residential and respite services.

Announcing details, Orla Foley of Boru3Pekas stated, “Boru3Peaks features individual or team events. You can enter one, two or all three events. Boru3Peaks is open to everyone from the speediest hill runner to the casual walker and everyone in between. We look forward to welcoming participants of all ages during what will be a fun and memorable weekend for all.”

Starting at 10am on Saturday, October 13 in Two Mile Gate car park, located 2km from Killaloe on the main Scariff Road, participants start by walking up Ballycuggaran forest and then rise above the tree line with panoramic views of Lough Derg, Killaloe, Ballina and the surrounding hills and countryside.

Up to this point, all walking is on well-surfaced tracks. Walkers then will climb up onto a bog road up to the highest point in Clare. The bog track will be the biggest challenge of this leg of the Boru3Peaks event.

The Tountinna event, which starts at 7pm the same day, offer views of the Lough Derg Valley at night. The path is mostly paved (rough in some parts) with some trail paths in between. There will be plenty of marshals located on the route to ensure people are on the correct path and safe at all times. The views from the top extend from Galway to Kerry and all the villages in between, as scatterings of light from local villages nestle on the banks of Lough Derg.

Starting at 11am in Doonagh car park, Keeper Hill on Sunday, October 14, the event features the highest of the three peaks and will reward participants with glorious views of the surrounding valleys. A trail takes participants up through thick forest before clearing to reveal stunning landscapes at each point of the compass.

For further information or to register for a Boru3Peaks event, visit www.boru3peaks.com or the Boru Tri Club Facebook page on www.facebook.com/borutriclub.