Mary’s Meals Longford hail pair following Croagh Patrick cycle

Jodie McGowan and Jay Manguilimotan, a Philippian friend of Jodie’s living in Ireland, set off on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 6am from St Paul’s, Mary’s Meals headquarters in Longford to cycle to Croagh Patrick at Murrish, Co Mayo.

Jodie & Jay cycled a distance of 141 kilometres. The time it took them to travel this distance was 8 hours, allowing an hour and a half break for stops in Tulsk and Castlebar. On arrival at Croagh Patrick at 2pm they were joined by their good friends John & Melissa, so leaving their bicycles at the base they commenced their climb together, ascending the 764 metres into the sky, including the 2500 steps.

They stayed on the top for about 1.5 hrs, taking in the scenery, the peace and they prayed in thanksgiving for the trip. Then it was time to descend which was faster but more nerve racking. Again it was 6pm by the time they arrived back at base and as Jodie confided his legs were trembling and he was exhausted. He was innocently asked if he had cycled back to Longford and stated that on this trip he didn’t but was open to doing it later, for Mary’s Meals, of course.

On behalf of the sixty children that will be fed for a full year, with the €1167.18 raised by Jodie & Jay, Mary’s Meals Longford want to say a very sincere thank you and acknowledge both of you for your efforts. Jodie & Jay spoke at the Mary’s Meals Longford Fun Day event and they will welcome them back to speak to again.

Longford Mary’s Meals have a shop at St Paul’s, inside the gatehouse at Connolly Barracks, and if you are in the area please call in and view.