Mayo native braves rain and wind for epic walk

A Mayo man marked his 60th birthday with an epic charity fundraiser.

Crossmolina native Peter Corcoran completed a 65km Ultra Walk in challenging weather conditions in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Peter marched from his mother’s birthplace of Carrowteigue to his father’s hometown of Crossmolina on Friday, September 12. He lost both his parents to heart disease and wanted to honour their memory as well as raise much-needed charity funds.

Peter’s late parents Alex and Breege Corcoran will be familiar names to many. They raised nine children in Crossmolina where they ran a drapery shop. The family also had a shop in Bangor and operated a travelling shop in North Mayo.

Peter left Mayo for London where he has worked at Cricklewood bus garage.

“I have been wheeling my fellow Irish people around for the last 35 years, driving several routes through Cricklewood and Kilburn,” he explained.

Peter ran his first marathon at just 17 and has competed in a number of Ironman Triathlons. His ‘Happy Hearts Tour’ started at midnight at Connolly's Lounge, Stonefield, Carrowteige and followed an extended route to Crossmolina via Glenamoy, Bangor, and Ballacorick. He has thanked everyone who donated to the fundaiser and supported him along the journey.

“It was super. It went better than I ever could have hoped,” he told the Western People.

Peter said the support he received along the trek helped him to battle through torrential rain and strong winds which battered him during the endeavour. He was joined on a number of legs on the journey by supporters and well-wishers.

“We chatted and spoke to loads of people. So many people remembered my father and my mother which was really lovely,” said Peter.

“There were people stopping their cars, making donations. It was great,” he added.

Anyone who still wishes to donate to the fundraiser can contact Peter at pcorcoran747@gmail.com.