As Darragh Did walk a big success
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Michelle Maher and Andrew McGinley on Saturday evening.Image 2 of 8
Yvonne Murtagh, Mary Dowling, Pauline Brady and Jennifer Rabe after the walk.Image 3 of 8
Dolores Barrett, Micheal Hynes and Jean Cooke from Mullingar.Image 4 of 8
Aidan Smylie, Daniel Eccles and Micheal McCallion from An Garda Síochána helped to organise the event.Image 5 of 8
Mairead Duke, Martine Sheehan and Catherine Gillespie after the walk.Image 6 of 8
Mary Cahill from the Annebrook House Hotel with Jeanette Walker at the BBQ.Image 7 of 8
Ray Fenton and Edel Laffoy from Mullingar.Image 8 of 8
Nojus Dirkstys from Mullingar with Marina Dillon and Orla Gil Dillon and from Kinnegad.Over 120 walkers took part in a 60km walk along the Royal Canal, from Mullingar to Maynooth, on the weekend of Saturday, April 20, in aid of As Darragh Did, a charity set up by Andrew McGinley after the tragic death of his three children in 2020.
The Civil Defence, gardaí and lots of supporters helped along the way and sunny skies made all the difference as the walkers made their way, led by the Garda marching band and mounted unit, to the finish line at Brady’s in Maynooth. Participants walked from Mullingar to Longwood on Saturday and from Longwood to Maynooth on Sunday.
As Darragh Did is a charity 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. Andrew explained that the family often visited Mullingar and, as Michelle is a keen amateur photographer, he has many happy pictures of their visits.
“We used to drive up to see granny and grandad in Donegal and we would always stop off to see Auntie Shelly, as the children called her, and we often attended the St Patrick’s Day parade in Mullingar,” Andrew recalled.
The Royal Canal also evokes happy memories as Andrew used to sing the Auld Triangle to the children, and he has video clips of them singing about the Royal Canal. Maynooth too is special as “it is the only university the children went to because they attended Michelle’s graduation there,” he said.
The gardaí were much involved over the weekend with the Garda Marching Band and Mounted Unit greeting the walkers in Maynooth, and members of the Force taking part in the walk. Andrew explained that he developed a huge connection with the gardaí when his family tragedy struck.
“You think there is loads of support out there, but it was the gardaí and the garda liaison officer that gave me the best support and guidance,” he said.
Andrew found walking and hiking helpful after his children died. He hopes to make this Mullingar to Maynooth walk an annual event, given the strong connections to Mullingar through his sister, and he is very grateful to the Annebrook House Hotel for their help.
As Darragh Did raises funds for community groups and to date, it has funded 140 clubs, groups and societies across Ireland. Among the beneficiaries are Mullingar Handball Club, Water Street Association in Castlepollard, Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club, 1428 Active Retirement Club in Mullingar, Mullingar Cricket Club, and the 9th Westmeath Scout Group in Milltownpass, as well as many in neighbouring counties.
This has been made possible by fundraising events, monthly donors and corporate sponsors. The walk from Mullingar to Maynooth will help to continue funding community groups across the country.
No monetary target was set for the walk, but as this is the charity’s major fundraiser for the year, participants were urged to raise as much as possible. For details of how to donate visit the website www.asdarraghdid.ie.