Age no barrier as Clarence (89) proves peak fitness

Trim man Clarence Corrigan has proven that age is no barrier if you have determination when he climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo at the age of 89. Mr Corrigan, from Newhaggard, will be 90 in December and undertook the challenge to climb the reek to raise money in support of Unit 1, St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, where his wife, Kathleen, is a resident patient. Mr Corrigan is believed to be the oldest person to climb the holy mountain and he received much support from fellow climbers as he made his way to the top on Sunday 2nd August. He completed the climb in 7.5 hours, starting at 10.30am in the morning. Supporting him in the climb were a team consisting of his two grandchildren, Katie and Jack O'Neill, Dublin, and his friends, Ann, Jenny, Emily and Padraic Gray. They were also accompanied by Ann's young son, Simon O'Keefe, aged five, who also made it to the top to complete his second successful climb. Mr Corrigan enjoyed the experience and remained positive and full of quick wit and fun throughout the climb to the top. He was overcome by the warm welcome and encouragement from all the people he met on the climb. Special thanks are due to everyone at the visitors centre at the bottom of the reek, where both Clarence and Simon (the oldest and the youngest climbers) were presented with certificates of completion. "Seeing as I am getting on a bit, it wasn't too bad. I wanted to raise money for Unit 1 at St Joseph's," he said. "Each unit has a fund for the comfort of the patients and I thought I would help out with the fund, while taking a stroll up the mountain," added Mr Corrigan. He added: "I got on great. It was great weather, bright, fresh and clear but, for the last hour, it started to spill rain and the knees weren't as good as I thought." Mr Corrigan said he had spoken to a local historian who said that, as far as he knew, nobody of his age had ever climbed the mountain. He said he thought of his wife all along the way and wanted to support the unit which, he said, is looked after by a terrific staff. His friend, Ann Gray, who accompanied Clarence on the climb, said: "Congratulations to Clarence on this historic event. He is an inspiration to all, proving that, no matter what your age, taking it step by step, no mountain is too big to conquer." Clarence himself thanked the Tavern Bar and Restaurant for their hospitality and also thanked John, Sadie and Noreen at the Boulevard B&B for their encouragement and hospitality.