Ballina native Hugh walks his way to a third successive Wicklow title
The Dé Luain Walkers Perpetual Trophy is presented to Hugh O'Brien (right) by Gerry Higgins, the group’s Walk Convenor last week in The Wicklow Heather Restaurant, Laragh, Co Wicklow.
An ardent reader of the every week in Wicklow is Hugh O’Brien who grew up in Corcoran Terrace, Ballina. He will get a pleasant surprise when he opens this issue for his friends haven’t told him they sent on news of his latest achievement.
Hugh is a member of the Dé Luain Walking Group which was set up in 2017 and comprises several walkers around the Wicklow Town area.
The group walks each Monday morning and the topics of conversation are wide and varied, including full analysis of any match in which Mayo was involved the previous weekend. Each year a Walker of the Year is announced at the group’s annual lunch, and in 2023, Hugh was the proud recipient of the Cup for an unprecedented third year in a row.
Hugh went to St Muredach’s College and played for Mayo in the Minor All-Ireland of 1961. His father, also Hugh O’Brien, was a big name in the Ballina Stephenites and won a Junior All-Ireland with Mayo in 1933.
Hugh moved to Dublin in 1964 and to Wicklow in 1977. He taught for many years and was CEO of Wicklow VEC from 1995 up to his retirement in 2005. Forever active, his current pastimes include golfing and walking.
He gets the delivered to Wicklow Town weekly: his week would not be the same without it, say his friends.
