Local family to climb Croagh Patrick in honour of late mother

A family from Creagh in South Roscommon is taking on the challenge of climbing Croagh Patrick in memory of their mother, the late Mary Sweeney, who passed away last year following a battle with cancer.

Mary's sons Shane, Alan and Tomas will all climb Croagh Patrick later this month to raise money for the Galway Hospice.

Shane said they wanted to do something in aid of Galway Hospice as Mary was there for five weeks and spent her final days there before her death. “Croagh Patrick came to mind... Mam was really sporty and into hurling.” Shane said that the the fundraiser has received great support from family and friends and that it will acknowledge the “good work the hospice do.”

“We've set a target of €3,000 and I think we'll exceed that.” Shane said they chose Croagh Patrick as their mother always liked a bit of a challenge. “It's a nice way to remember Mam. She'll be in the mind of everyone doing it.”

Shane believes that Mary would have a “good laugh” about their efforts to climb the mountain in her honour. “We'll have a good drink for her after. I think she'd be proud of us.”

Shane described his mother as “really outgoing, bubbly” and as someone who “loved the craic.”

Shane said that Mary originally was meant to go into Galway Hospice for two weeks but deteriorated quite quickly and remained there until her death. “She was always in good spirits and never complained.”

He said that the nurses had good craic with his mother as she would offer to help them given her background as a nurse.

Shane added that the nurses went “above and beyond” to do anything Mary wanted and had no issue with her grandchildren visiting. “Everyday was normal for her.”

He said that his Dad Tommy was also anxious to do something in aid of Galway Hospice. “The family have good respect for Mam and want to get involved.”

Mary passed away in November 2022 and had been fighting cancer for nine years. She was native of Ballinasloe and married Tommy Sweeney in 1979 before moving to Roscommon. Mary worked as a psychiatric nurse in St Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe and also ran the Birchgrove Pub in Ballinasloe with Tommy from 1994 to the early 2000s. Shane said that Mary “loved meeting people and loved the bar business.”

She was also a big GAA supporter, particularly of Killimordaly GAA Club in Athenry, Galway.

Shane's father Tommy and brother Alan are also well-known for being part of the Flooring Porter syndicate along with Ned Hogarty. They bought the horse in 2018 and it twice won the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Big Climb of Croagh Patrick in aid of Galway Hospice will take place on Saturday, October 21 with a bus leaving the club house at Padraig Pearses GAA Club in Ballinasloe at 7am. The climb will commence at 10.30am.

The fundraiser has raised €2,500 to date. Anyone who wishes to make a donation should do so via Revolut and send the donation to Tomas @thomasgwjt