Local family raises over €38k after climbing Croagh Patrick

A family from Creagh in South Roscommon has raised a whopping €38,325 after 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 all climbed Croagh Patrick on October 21 to raise money for the Galway Hospice. Shane said that he was “delighted” and “very surprised” by the figure raised. “People were so generous.”

He added that it was an “absolutely beautiful day” which he said probably helped to “bring the crowd out” on the day. “It was an emotional time.”

Shane also said that he found climbing the mountain “tough” and that they may have “underestimated it a bit.” The family is hoping to organise another fundraiser next year.

The cheque for the money raised was presented to Galway Hospice on Friday last in Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe.

Shane explained 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 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.”

Mary passed away in November 2022 and had been fighting cancer for nine years. She was a 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.