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Tag Archives: John Burke

Everest hero is Clare person of the year

THE Clare Association in Dublin has selected 38-year-old Spanish Point hotelier John Burke as their Clare Person of the Year for 2018. He was named at a meeting of the association on Tuesday night. Last May, John made history, when he became the first Clare man to successfully climb Mount Everest. The mountaineer, who runs The Armada Hotel, made the climb to fulfil a personal dream and also to raise awareness and funds for the charity, Elevate, which he and his wife, Aoibhín Garrihy, established to promote well-being among young people. Aoibhín accompanied her husband to Nepal, where he climbed Mount Everest and, on reaching the summit, he remembered his Clare roots by planting the saffron and blue flag. Afterwards, he described the final night of the climb as hell on earth. He witnessed casualties of the mountain first-hand and could see the fear of death in the faces of other people who were making the climb with him. On his …

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GAA star to elevate youth wellness issue

ELEVATE has announced that Podge Collins will be its first ambassador to champion youth wellness in Clare. The Elevate Foundation was established by Clare’s first Mount Everest summiteer John Burke and his wife Aoibhín Garrihy. A not-for-profit organisation, it aims to fund the roll-out of a multifaceted wellness programme to young people, utilising independent organisations and professionals, who specialise in youth wellness and mental health. Podge said it is something he would have liked to have seen in place when he was a teenager. “The projects that Elevate hope to roll out across secondary schools in Clare, they weren’t around when I was in school. A lot of people my age would have benefited from them.” Elevate are offering five mindfulness sessions for every second-level student in Clare and he said teachers he has spoken to are very positive about it. “It’s great for them to get a bit of support from an organisation like Elevate that is willing to …

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Council honours Everest climber John Burke

HOME some weeks and after having conquered Everest, John Burke has been honoured by Clare County Council, as the local authority awarded him a civic reception on Monday. He was accompanied by his wife, Aoibhín, friends and family members, as a presentation was made to the West Clare hotelier and county council members paid tribute to his achievement. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Bill Chambers said, “I know John is a keen outdoor enthusiast and mountaineer so there was always an air of inevitability about him one day attempting to climb Mount Everest. The slopes of Mount Callan or the dunes at Spanish Point were never going to be enough to satisfy his thirst for adventure. “By becoming the first Clare person to stand on top of the world, John not only achieved something that very few have achieved but he also demonstrated a steely demonstration that will no doubt inspire others.” The cathaoirleach also lauded the foundation of Elevate, …

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“There’s no place like home” Everest hero Burke returns

A NEW Clare hero arrived home this afternoon, as John Burke touched down at Shannon Airport, having scaled Mount Everest. As he emerged from the aircraft the 38-year-old hotelier was visibly thrilled to be home, and he was embraced by family on the tarmac. Later when he emerged from the arrivals area he was welcomed by a large crowd, eager to recognise the Miltown man’s achievement. Speaking to the press John said he was delighted to be back in Clare. “It’s amazing, I’ve been thinking about it since I left. There’s no place like home, I’m delighted to be back.” Reaching the earth’s summit was an unforgettable moment. “I got to stand on top of the world on May 16 at 9.45am. It was a dream of ten years for me and I was so emotional when I got to the top, I’m still emotional that I got to the top. I suppose when you chase a dream and you …

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Clare man conquers Everest

JOHN Burke is the first Clare man ever to conquer Everest. The Spanish Point hotelier reached the roof of the world this morning. In a facebook post his wife Aoibhín Garrihy wrote, “At 9:45am local time John Burke became the first Clare man to successfully summit Mt Everest. Now hoping for a safe descent ” This afternoon she added, “John has arrived safely back at Camp 4, exhausted but sounding great from the sat phone! More wonderful news in…fellow Irish climber and friend of John, Cian O’Brolchain, also summited Mt Lhotse (8516m) this morning. It’s a great day for Irish climbing” A prayer service for John and his fellow climbers was held in the Armada hotel last night and on the hotel’s facebook page today it posted, “Our MD John Burke has just made it to the top of the world and is the 1st Clareman ever to summit Mount Everest this morning! We are so proud of his achievement …

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