Walking the Walk with As Darragh Did
A 60km walk along the Royal Canal, from Mullingar to Maynooth, this weekend is in aid of As Darragh Did, a charity devoted to raising funds for community clubs, groups, societies and projects, including several in Westmeath.
As Darragh Did was set up in memory of Darragh McGinley, who died tragically in January 2020, alongside his brother Conor and sister Carla. Their father Andrew founded three projects in their memory, As Darragh Did, Conor’s Clips YouTube channel and social media, and The Snowman, an annual colouring competition in memory of Carla.
Andrew’s sister Dr Michelle Maher lives in Lakepoint, Mullingar, and Andrew has many happy memories of the family visiting the town. He found walking and hiking a great help when tragedy struck his family and he hopes to make the walk an annual event.
To date, As Darragh Did have funded 140 clubs, group and societies across Ireland, including Mullingar Handball Club, Water Street Association in Castlepollard, Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club, the 1428 Active Retirement Club, Mullingar Cricket Club, and the 9th Westmeath Scout Group in Milltownpass.
The walk starts from the Annebrook House Hotel on Saturday, April 20, at 9.30am and finishes in Maynooth on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, participants will walk from Mullingar to Longwood and several breaks along the way are scheduled.
They will be transported back to the Annebrook that eventing where discounted overnight accommodation and a barbecue will be provided.
On day two, they will be transported back to Longwood and will continue their walk to Maynooth, where they will be met by the garda marching band and finish up with a celebration in Brady’s Clockhouse.
Register to take part at asdarraghdid.ie. Select whether you wish to do the two days or a portion of the route.
No monetary target has been set but, as this is the charity’s main fundraiser for the year, they ask that everyone raise as much as possible.
The safest and preferred way to transfer funds is via the iDonate fundraising platform.
Physical sponsorship cards are available by emailing hello@asdarraghdid.ie.
Participants with cash or cheque donations can lodge them in the As Darragh Did charity account and reference the lodgement ‘Walking the Walk’. Cheques should be made payable to ‘As Darragh Did’ and donors are asked to register any direct bank lodgements by email at hello@asdarraghdid.ie.