| Winter Walking in the Wicklow Hills The epic Art O’Neill Challenge took place again recently (January 13th– 14th). The 55 km-route commenced in Dublin and ended in Glenmalure, passing through the nearby Wicklow Mountains National Park. Approximately 450 brave walkers and hikers wearing winter hats, waterproof pants and head torches, armed with emergency kits and GPS devices participated in this ultimate trek, retracing the steps of Hugh Roe O’Donnell and Art O’Neill from over 400 years ago. Participants had the choice of walking or running the roadway and cross-country terrain. Walkers commenced one minute before midnight, a feat that typically takes between 12 and 16 hours. Runners began two hours later; this year Eoin Keith finished in 5 hours and 26 minutes. Challengers could either complete the trek as part of a professionally guided group or go at it alone, perhaps as a definitive soul-searching experience. The man for whom the annual challenge is named died due to cold weather exposure in the Wicklow Mountains while trekking with O’Donnell in 1592. O’Donnell subsequently lost each of his big toes due to frostbite. On January 6th, 1592, O’Donnell (also known as “Red Hugh”), O’Neill and his brother Henry escaped from Dublin Castle. They are the only three prisoners in history to have successfully done so. Part of their escape route actually passed through what is now Kippure Estate’s 240 acre property. O’Donnell had been imprisoned when he was 15 when he was arrested by the English Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir John Perrott. O’Donnell had already made a name for himself, and the English worried that once he was of age, he would unite with the Earl of Tyrone and triumph over the entire island. Art O’Neill had been imprisoned due to his bandit lifestyle. Red Hugh had tried to escape the confines of the castle prison the year before but was caught a few days later. This time, with the O’Neill brothers, he would not be apprehended. The three propelled themselves down from the privy house into the castle moat using a lengthy piece of rope and swam across. A loyal young friend led them through Dublin’s streets, without them being noticed, until they reached the mountains. During the chaotic escape, Henry had become separated from the rest of the group. Since Art was older than Red Hugh, and had been in prison longer, the journey was much harder for him. They stopped to rest and the young servant went to Glenmalure to get some help. Art and Red Hugh were found covered with snow which led to the O’Neill’s death. O’Donnell went on to be one of Ireland’s major leaders in the Nine Years’ War. This year, those who successfully crossed the Barravore finish line were perhaps escaping from something too. Perhaps they were breaking away from former thoughts of, “There’s no way I can face the elements for an entire 55 km trek!” They have now proven themselves wrong. |
