Duo kick off epic run the length of Ireland in aid of Pieta House
Dubliner Bill Staunton and Donegal man Barry Lee yesterday kicked off their 10-day journey by beginning their run from Mizen Head to Malin Head.
'I've always had a strong sporting background and a passion for pushing myself both mentally and physically,' explains Bill, who hails from Balscadden in north Co Dublin and currently lives in Sydney.
'The Wild Irish Run is my first endurance challenge of this scale, and it's something I've felt deeply compelled to take on.'
Poster for the Wild Irish Run
Barry, who hails from Letterkenny, also lives in Sydney.
'He has a strong sporting background and, last year, he ran 126km in a single day around Centennial Park in Sydney, raising funds for the Irish Heart Foundation,' explains Bill.
The lads are geared up for their epic run.
'The run is a 10-day journey from Mizen Head in Co Cork to Malin Head in Co Donegal, covering approximately 550km,' notes Terenure College and UCD graduate Bill.
'It's in support of Pieta House, a charity that provides vital services for people affected by suicide and self-harm.
'Our tagline is 'Do it for those who can't', which reflects our motivation to honour those who are struggling or no longer with us.
'We're grateful to have the support of Donegal Motorhomes, who have kindly sponsored a camper van for the event.
'This will serve as our base each day throughout the run, and their support has been a huge help in making this journey possible.'
The duo hope to complete their run on June 7.
Bill Staunton and Barry Lee
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
'Our aim is not just to raise funds, but also to spark conversation, connection, and hope across the country,' he beams.
'This is a very personal mission for both of us, and it means a lot to have support from family and friends.
'We're also inviting anyone who feels inspired to join us for a few kilometres along the way, to help us spread the message that no one has to face mental health struggles alone. Whether people run, walk, or just show up for support, every bit of energy adds to the cause.'
The lads have so far raised over €8,000 of their €20,000 target for the charity.
* Donations can be made on GoFundMe here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brian O'Driscoll's verdict on Johnny Sexton missing the Women's Rugby World Cup
Brian O'Driscoll insists it was the right move for Johnny Sexton not to link up with Ireland for the Women's Rugby World Cup. In April, Sexton agreed to come on board with the IRFU in a full-time coaching capacity from August 1 in an expanded role that would involve working with the national men's and women's teams up to senior level. The Dubliner was part of Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions backroom team for the successful Australia tour and it has been questioned why the former Leinster and Ireland great won't be in England with Scott Bemand's staff to pass on his expertise at the finals. Ireland will get their bid underway in their first group stage game against Japan at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton on Sunday. "I think he's probably still finding his feet and trying to work out where he can add value," said Sexton's ex-colleague O'Driscoll. Brian O'Driscoll and Lynne Cantwell have teamed up to celebrate Defender as Principal Partner for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 "And the thing about him is his relationship with the coaching staff that we've seen. And so that is a huge component of his integration. "Listen, if he doesn't have a relationship with Scott, you can't force that. You need that trust level. You do, and you can't have that thrust upon them. That dynamic is all important." Bemand has said that ex-Ulster and Exeter No.10 Gareth Steenson will continue to take on the kicking coach duties for the finals, as Ireland chase a semi-final berth for the first time since 2013. O'Driscoll added: "Johnny knows he's got a lot to learn from a coaching point of view, but I'm sure he's taken a huge amount on board from his experience over the last couple of months with the Lions and that he'll be better for it. "And also he's finding out what type of coach he is going to be. I think he's probably got an idea, but it's about relationships, about connection, and that doesn't happen just overnight. "I think it's probably easier with players that he knows rather than coming into the unknown." Brian O'Driscoll and Lynne Cantwell have teamed up to celebrate Defender as Principal Partner for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
President Michael D Higgins makes touching gesture to mark the retirement of Irish football legend
John Giles made astute points about football right up to and including his final media appearance PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has marked John Giles' retirement from punditry by heartily congratulating him in a lengthy statement. The former RTE soccer analyst opted to finish up with Off the Ball last month - thereby bringing the curtain down on a media career that had spanned five decades. 3 He'd been a weekly contributor since Newstalk's inception in 2003 3 Higgins will be bidding his own farewell when his second term as President ends in November Credit: Getty Advertisement 3 Higgins, 84, published an open letter hailing Giles' legacy in Irish football Credit: @PresidentIRL The Newstalk programme held a night in the Leeds United hero's honour at Dublin's Sugar Club on Thursday where they reunited him with several of his teammates from his time at Elland Road. In a further tribute to the great man, Higgins has issued an open letter in which he lavishes praise on the Dubliner for his esteemed playing career and his equally laudable second half as a pundit. He hailed: "It is with great warmth and addition that I offer my sincerest best wishes to John Giles. Advertisement "This is a moment to reflect on John's extraordinary contribution to the world of football, a contribution that spans more than six decades. Johnny Giles occupies a singluar space in the annals of Irish sport. "A player of extraordinary vision, composure and skill, he distinguished himself not only as one of Ireland's greatest ever footballers, but also as a statesman of the game, a man whose commitment to excellence, and to the spirit of the sport, has inspired generations. "From his early days at Manchester United to his iconic role in Don Revie's legendary Leeds United side, Johnny has represented the very best of the game, in its roots, in its performance. "Earning admiration for his footballing artistry and for the dignity with which he carried himself, John was a conductor in midfield; calm, visionary, and precise, a player who exemplified what football could be when played with thought and with elegance. Advertisement "He brought with him a rare intelligence and grace to the pitch, a level of technical mastery and footballing insight that set new standards for Irish footballers. "Off the field, John's impact has been no less profound. "Through his work as a broadcaster and pundit, his voice, always thoughtful, incisive and ever passionate, has been one of clarity, wisdom and fairness. Tragedy as former international striker Tendai Ndoro found dead at home as tributes pour in "He brought depth and dignity to the football conversation, speaking always with conviction. "For many of us, John was a trusted and treasured companion on countless evenings spent watching the beautiful game." Advertisement When explaining why he felt 2025 was the right time to hang up his microphone for good, the 84-year-old made a point with which football fans of all ages could relate. SATURATION POINT He reflected: "I always enjoyed doing it. But what I've found lately is that there's so many matches in all different competitions that I had to look at. "And really to do this job well you have to really watch all of the matches, you can't make it up as you go long. "So I think I was getting to the stage where it was getting a bit stale trying to watch as many matches as I could. "It became hard work and like, football has never been hard work to me. I've always loved it but there's so many matches - even in the summer now with this Club World Cup over in America. Advertisement "But I've had a good run of it. I'm nearly 85, I loved playing football, fell into working on the television then which I had no intentions of doing. So no complaints whatsoever from me." CLUB SANDWICHED IN This summer's Club World Cup was the most glaring example of a money-grab tournament being added to the calendar at a time when players are supposed to be recuperating during their off-seasons. But even the Premier League's expansion into having fixtures on Friday evenings and more mid-week slots means there's fewer and fewer days off for players and supporters alike. Throw in giants like Man United now going on "post-season tours" rather than pre-season ones and it's hard not to sympathise with elite players regardless of how well-paid they are. Thursday evenings will certainly be worse off without Giles' voice beaming out across the radio airwaves.
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
From player to coach – Dundalk FC welcomes back Dane Massey
The now 37-year-old was introduced to the squad on Friday by manager Ciarán Kilduff, although he will have been familiar to many having played alongside the likes of Daryl Horgan and Peter Cherrie during his trophy-laden eight seasons at Oriel Park from 2013 to 2020. The Dubliner made 291 appearances, scoring 24 goals for the club, during his playing days with Dundalk FC – winning 15 honours including five league titles, three FAI Cups and three League Cups. Named on the PFAI's Team of the Year a decade ago, Massey will be hoping his experience will help Dundalk get over the line in the First Division title race in the remaining nine games of the season, starting with the trip to face Treaty Utd in the Markets Field this Friday. The former left back has experience of the First Division from two spells at Bray Wanderers, with the Templeogue man finishing up his career at the Carlisle Grounds in 2023 where current Lilywhite Harry Groome was amongst his team-mates. A firm fan favourite even after his departure from Oriel Park, Massey will be welcomed back with open arms by the club's supporters. The Argus understands that the arrangement which has seen him return to Dundalk FC to work under his former team-mate Kilduff is initially until the end of the current season when it will be reviewed. Massey's arrival follows the departure of Liam Burns from the club after over 15 years of service at Oriel Park. Having won a First Division title with Sligo Rovers in 2005 and a double with Bohemians three years later, the 46-year-old Belfast native went on to have two stints at Dundalk as a player. He first arrived at Oriel Park as a player under Sean Connor in 2009 and later went on to captain the side under Ian Foster in 2010. While he returned to Bohs for one season in 2011, Burns was back at Oriel Park in 2012 where he helped the club survive a relegation play-off against Waterford in his final act before retiring. Having made 90 appearances for the club as a player, scoring three times, Burns would go on to hold a number of roles behind the scenes at Oriel Park in the years since including working as the club's community officer for many years before transitioning back into a coaching role. He was Vinny Perth's assistant at the end of 2021 before working as part of the backroom team under Stephen O'Donnell, Noel King, Jon Daly and, most recently, Kilduff. A hugely respected figure at Oriel, Burns also twice stepped into the main managerial job last season, firstly for three matches alongside then Head of Football Operations Brian Gartland and for one game on his own – a memorable 1-0 victory at home to Shamrock Rovers on May 17 2024.
