Donation figures from the latest GOAL Mile in Castleisland have produced a figure of €3,778.28.
Blessed with the fine weather on Christmas morning, it brought droves of walkers in couples, small and large groups and family units pouring onto the tartan track of the club for the annual event on this special morning.
Indoors, Pats Broderick and founder and organiser, Denis Brosnan were busily preparing the hot port which has become so much part of the tradition as much as the walk itself.
A Record Breaker
There were early indicators too that this Christmas morning’s turnout would be a record breaker for the local organisation – judging by the footfall alone and backed up by the extra bit of pressure on the constantly steaming hot port house – but the boys were coping.
“If there wasn’t a need to hold this event on Christmas mornings now we’d have to anyway as it has become so much part of the tradition of the area. People love coming down here for the walk to meet people home for Christmas and their children who are being introduced to the tradition.” said Denis.
A Greater Need Than Ever
“However, unfortunately there is a greater need than ever for us to be here and the GOAL Mile to be held with all the suffering in the world through wars and conflict of one kind or another.
“We raised €2,743.20 from last year’s event and that was up from the €2,000 we took in the year before that and this year looks like being the best yet,” said Denis before the morning’s figures began to emerge.
Strife Torn Areas
“While the social side of the annual Christmas morning GOAL Mile is greatly appreciated by communities up and down the country – like that in Castleisland – it’s the strife torn areas of the world and the much less fortunate people caught up in wars and starvation that the real differences and the most profound effects of these special mornings are felt, ” said Denis.
30 Year History in Castleisland
The GOAL Mile has a 30 year history in Castleisland as it had been held over the Powell’s Road circuit around Castleisland for several years prior to its adoption at An Ríocht Athletic Club at its new premises at The Crageens in 1999.
On its first outing at An Ríocht it raised £1,000 in old money – £700 on the Christmas morning itself and this worked its way up to the eventual and rounded up £1,000 and it has been gaining in popularity ever since – and long may it continue.
The organisers, Denis, Pats and Ailis wish to send all their friends and supporters a big thank you and best wishes for 2025.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.comQueries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
