The generosity of strangers, a few nights sleeping under the stars, and the calmness of the forgotten main road to Galway were just some of the memories of a few days in Westmeath for Dublin man Eugene O’Leary who passed through the county on a coast-to-coast charity walk last week.
The 72 year old cycling and trekking fundraiser, who has become known as the “pedalling pensioner” on account of his many long distance cycles, parked the bike and instead decided to walk from Slyne Head in Galway to Howth Head in Dublin to raise money for the Chernobyl Children’s Trust. With a modified children’s buggy to carry his belongings, Eugene walked the 200 miles in 9 days.
Topic caught up with him between Kinnegad and Enfield on Friday morning last, April 10. He had just spent “a most enjoyable, quiet night” under the stars in Kinnegad, setting up his tent in a garden behind a derelict house on the outskirts of the town. “I quite like camping, and have been camping a lot since I set out on Good Friday.
Staying in hotels or B&B’s would mean less money for charity, so why not sleep under the stars?” he told us as traffic whizzed by on the busy old N4.
One thing that surprised him was how busy this ‘old’ road was compared to the ‘old’ N6 from Kinnegad to Athlone.
Walking that old road, through the villages of Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge, Tyrrellspass and Horseleap, and the towns of Kilbeggan and Moate was one of the highlights of Eugene’s long walk. On his own, the silence spoke louder than words and little acts of kindness stood out.
In Rochfortbridge, a man saw that Eugene was thirsty on a scorching hot day and went into the Centra to buy him bottles of water. When the manager of the store heard who the bottles were for and he then came outside with dinner for Eugene.
Further on down the road as he was close to Milltownpass, a woman and her child driving along stopped for a chat. They drove off and a few minutes later returned.
“The woman told me she was a single mother and had no money, but she came back armed with fruit, biscuits and buns,” Eugene explained. “I want to thank her very much, as I do the people in Rochfortbridge.”
Eugene also camped in Moate, and was made feel very welcome there too. Many hundreds of motorists and passers-by in Westmeath donated money to him and he was very thankful for same.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The rambling man took up trekking and cycling in 2004, following the death of his beloved 19 year-old daughter Helen. He has raised thousands for Our Lady’s Childrens Hospital in Crumlin which she attended.
They had a mutual interest in the children of Chernobyl and Eugene visited Belarus where he saw first hand how hard it was for children in the Chervyen orphanage, which had been extensively damaged in a fire.
Inspired, he raised €4,900 to pay for a new roof, and a plaque on site dedicates this to his late daughter. However, the orphanage building needs new showers and other equipment so Eugene decided a brisk walk was in order, so on Good Friday he commenced his fundraising buggy push.
He arrived in Howth to a heroes welcome on Sunday, April 12 with ‘Ireland AM’ and TV3 personality Mark Cooney there to welcome him home. He raised almost €3,000 on the walk, but donations are still welcome online at his charity page (see below).
Having braved all that April has to offer on Ireland’s roads, Eugene will also do an international buggy push around a full circuit (120 miles) of the island of Sao Miguel in Portugal in August.
Weblinks: www.mycharity.ie/event/eugene_olearys_buggy_push/
