This St. Patrick's weekend, we'll be climbing Croagh Patrick in aid of Pádraig Schaler, our good friend who suffered an acquired brain injury in 2013. On Saturday, March 14, over 40 of Pádraig's friends will begin the ascent of the Reek - with the hope that the same number make it back down again! Níl bealach níos fearr le Féile Naomh Phádraig a cheiliúradh ná taobh Chruach Phádraig lenár Pádraig fhéin.

 

All funds raised will go to support Caring for Pádraig. Pádraig's continued care and therapy comes at a financial cost, and Caring for Pádraig was set up after his accident as a way for his friends and family to help out in that regard. Nearly seven years on from being knocked off his bicycle in Cape Cod and suffering a serious brain injury, Pádraig continues to take big and small steps on the road of rehabilitation. Though advanced movement and speech is currently beyond him, Pádraig hears and understands everything, and is able to communicate with those around him via actions or gestures, communication aids, or often through his own ingenuity.

 

Pádraig, as his friends can well attest to, obviously loves the craic and has expressed his excitement to be joining the climbers for a music session at Campbell's Pub at the foot of Croagh Patrick following their descent of the Reek. The thought of that hooley, with Pádraig right in the middle of it, is something that will hopefully keep climbers in good spirits when the going gets tough, which is certainly will atop the Reek.

 

It's a perfect Pádraig storm - Lá Fhéile Phádraig, Cruach Phádraig, agus Pádraig é fhéin - what more could you want!

 

Go n-éirí an sliabh leis na dreapadóirí!