Sun sets on Hill of Tara's Dawn Run

After 10 years, the sun has set on the Hill of Tara Dawn Run. Established by local men Shay Sheridan and James Gibbons as a fundraiser for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, it raise €103,070. However, it became a victim of its own success, drawing thousands to the National Monument to run 4km at 4am on a June morning every year, around the summer solstice.
Now, in a posting on Facebook, the organisers say: 'Due to health and safety concerns of the custodians of the Hill of Tara, we can no longer run the event. And so we say goodbye.'
They add: 'The Tara Dawn Run was always more than a fun run; more than a sausage sambo; more than waking up in the middle of the night; more than hoping for a beautiful sunrise.
It made the ancient Hill live again. It was friendship. It was community. It was giving. It was caring. It was sharing a moment.
To all the Dawn Runners, next time you are on the hill, close your eyes and remember the warmth of the people, the music, the laughter and smile knowing you can say 'I was there'.