A daring adventurer is ready to embark on a “mammoth” challenge by cycling all the way to Mount Everest to raise funds for the children’s wards of Cork University Hospital (CUH).
Daragh Cronin, aged 23, previously cycled the length of Africa, having never been a bike enthusiast previously. He will now bike from the Rebel County to Mount Everest base camp.
Originally from Blackrock, Mr Cronin is thought to be the youngest and fastest Irish person to navigate the entire length of Africa by bike.
During the seven-month 12,500km expedition to Nepal, he is hoping to raise €30,000 to raise “crucial funds” for the children’s wards via CUH Charity.
“Everyone said the Africa trip last year was impossible for someone with zero prior cycling experience. Even I thought it was, but I said I’d give it a try,” said Mr Cronin.
“This time I want to do it for a cause. I had crazy support when I went to Africa; half of Cork had my back, so I want to do something to give back this time.”
On February 14, he will set off from his beloved Blackrock hurling club for a ferry from Rosslare to France, before setting off across Europe.
On a refurbished touring bike from The Bike Shed in Cork, he will make his way across the Middle East, Iraq, crossing the tip of Oman, from there to Pakistan and India, Nepal, and on to Everest base camp.
But Mr Cronin has not chosen the “easy way”.
“The record I’m trying to set is to hike the bike from a place called Lukla in the Koshi Province to Everest base camp, and no Irish person has done that.
“I will cycle as far as I can through Nepal, on to Lukla, and then put the bike over my neck and get to base camp,” he said.
To remind him of home, he is packing two hurleys, stopping along the journey for a puck around with people he meets along the way.
The new challenge was largely inspired by his Africa cycle, an experience he says changed his life profoundly.
He even has a permanent reminder of the 204-day trek — maps of Ireland and Africa tattooed on his arm.
“I had guns pointed in my face. But 99% of the time, there was genuine hospitality and huge amounts of kindness.
“I know these things are coming my way again, but I trust my instinct, I was able to talk my way out of some hairy situations in Africa.”
Mr Cronin said he could not take on the trip without the support of his employers, Irish Pioneer Works steel fabricators and galvanisers, along with pals Jack O’Rahilly, Rory Coughlan, and Jack Healy.
He has also been backed and inspired by his mum Sharon, who once drove him on a training mission to Malin Head before he cycled all the way back home to Cork, and he also thanks Smiley Dogg Tattoo and Brian Healy at Douglas Motors for their support.
Daragh hopes the people of Cork and further afield can support the trek for CUH Charity at: idonate.ie/roaminwithcronin.