On 26th September 2025, one of our Associate Directors Jimmy O’Neill took part in the Art O’Neill Challenge for the second time. That’s 60 kilometres of road, trail and mountain, starting at Dublin Castle and finishing in Glenmalure. Most people would consider doing it a once in a lifetime achievement. Jimmy seems to be turning this trek into a habit.
Jimmy (L) & Keith (R). Still fresh-faced. Still optimistic. Still 60km to go.
The event, usually held in the dead of winter, was postponed this year - which meant slightly less frostbite and a few less layers, but no less effort. The route retraces the escape of Art O’Neill, his brother Henry, and Red Hugh O’Donnell in 1592, when they broke out of Dublin Castle and made a break for the Wicklow hills. The eponymous Art didn’t survive the journey, unfortunately. Jimmy did (...twice).
Not that he can take all the credit. The event is brilliantly organised by the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, who not only run a tight ship but also use the challenge to raise vital funds for their work.
A picture tells 1,000 words
As you can probably tell by the photos in this article, Jimmy and his expedition partner Keith seemed to cover the full emotional range: from optimism to “hanger”, with a few existential questions in between. It’s one of the toughest outdoor events in Ireland, and while Jimmy won’t be the one to say it, we will: it’s a serious achievement.
Well done Jimmy... and thanks for making the rest of us feel (comparatively) lazy!
If you'd like to support the work of the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and help keep future Jimmy O’Neills on the right path, you can donate https://www.dwmrt.ie/donate .
Finished. Upright. Possibly hallucinating.
Well done Jimmy!