Laois GAA player to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of charity

A Laois student is set to take on one of the most challenging climbs in the world for charity this August.

Tadhg Culliton, a University of Limerick student from Mountmellick, will battle Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

At just 21 years of age, Mr Culliton has made Laois proud in his participation in this daunting challenge.

The Mountmellick man will join 15 of his fellow University of Limerick students in climbing the tallest freestanding mountain in the world this August.

Pictured: Tadhg Culliton having climbed the Devil's ladder, Kerry

"We are climbing for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) and our goal is to raise awareness and funding to help those battling meningitis globally," said Mr Culliton.

"The aim is to defeat meningitis and septicaemia by 2030, and 100% of the donations go towards Choose a Challenge, an organisation working with the MRF," he explained.

Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, East Africa, is the highest mountain in Africa with an elevation of 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). It is the largest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the seven summits.

The peak of Kilimanjaro has the same height as Mount Everest's base camp, which is the equivalent of 5km in height.

Mr Culliton has always had an affinity for the outdoors, between his involvement in the local GAA and his childhood spent camping with his family.

"Growing up, Mam was a scout so I was a scouter for around seven years," Mr Culliton explained.

"Dad was always big on the outdoors too, so I always have had that background. I always wanted to climb as well as hike, and you're very limited on what you can do in Ireland. A few weeks before I attended a meeting held by Choose a Challenge in UL, I had already started the 26 peak challenge," he said.

Pictured: Carauntoohil summit, Co. Kerry 

The climber is currently attempting to climb the highest peaks in each county in Ireland, and at the time of this interview, was travelling to climb his 15th peak. 

"I'm in between Westmeath and Longford, I camped on top of the highest peak in Meath last night. I had researched this and read that the best way to acclimatise to alpinism is to winter camp," he said. 

Mr Culliton was inspired to make this climb following a talk from Choose a Challenge at his university, and advertisements he saw online.

"I was in the hospital last September, and I was spending an awful lot of time on my phone. I saw this ad for climbing Kilimanjaro, and all I wanted to do was get out of the hospital and climb mountains," he said.

The fundraising for this venture first began with the support of Paul Bowe, Mr Culliton's employer at Bowe's Tyres and Auto Centre.

"Paul generously offered to run a charity wash. The charity wash raised over €1,200, which was phenomenal. That was due to the extreme generosity of people," he said.

Pictured: Mr Culliton was camping on Slieve na Caillagh, Co. Meath at the time of this interview

"Luckily no one close to me has been affected by meningitis, but I have lost family members to heart disease and cancer, and I wanted to help raise money for a charity that can help other families," he said.

Mr Culliton has a fundraising target of €5,800 to meet, with over €1,000 towards the climbing gear and registration that he will pay himself.

"We are holding a table quiz on Friday to raise more funds. Everyone locally have all been very supportive so far, and I will be doing more fundraisers in t he meantime," Mr Culliton explained.

The fundraiser will take place in the Hollow Bar at 9pm, with Mick Lenihan as the MC.

"Mick Lenihan typically hosts the table quizzes, and he has kindly offered to take this one, we're delighted," he said.

Mr Culliton will spend nine days in total on this expedition, with five days of climbing dedicated to climbing to the mountain's peak.

"It takes five days of climbing to get to the top due to altitudes, and it takes two days to get back to the bottom," he explained.

Pictured: Mr Culliton hiking in Glendalough

The fantastic support the student has received has given him a boost, particularly the support of his parents.

"People coming up to me and asking me about it has been a great boost, to know that it's getting out there," he said.

"It was massively overwhelming when I first registered and saw the target, but I set up a donation page.

"Dad has been extremely logical and has really helped me with planning this out, and my Mam has been there for me whenever I need a helping hand, she always swoops in," Mr Culliton praised.

The recently turned 21 year old is studying to be a woodwork teacher, and will soon begin his placement. 

"I loved woodwork and tech graph in school, so be able to teach it along with having the summers off to climb mountains abroad is ideal," he said.

"As anyone in college knows, its hard when you're working part time. but I've gone interrailing around Europe a year and a half ago, and I travelled to 11 countries then," Mr Culliton said.

"We grew up travelling across Europe in a 1970's Volkswagen campervan, so we lived out of that for two months when we were young. 

Pictured: Tadhg and his father camping in Gaasperplas, Amsterdam

"I've tried to get my Dad to climb more mountains with me abroad, we climbed Mount Snowden over the summer, the tallest mountain in Wales. I'm trying to get him to climb Scotland next," he said.

"I have a habit of picking up new hobbies, my friends will tell you this, he laughed.

"This time last year I got big into surfing, being from Mountmellick you wouldn't think it, "There wouldn't be too many waves coming in,"" he said.

"I decided that while I'm in college and working part time, I might be able to climb the tallest mountains around the country, working around the GAA of course," he said.

"i've been camping and climbing over the winter break."

Mr Culliton plays both hurling and Gaelic football, with the members of both panels supporting him at his table quiz fundraiser. 

Pictured: Tadhg Culliton climbing Slieve Donard, Co Down

"It influenced my decision to register, fearing I'd miss the tail end of the Championships if I was off in Africa climbing a mountain," he laughed.

"Coming off the back of winning the intermediate championships last year, I thought they might be in good spirits and let me off to do this!" Mr Culliton joked.

For those who wish to support Tadhg Culliton's fundraiser, they can do so here.

All are welcome to take part in Mr Culliton's table quiz fundraiser on Friday January 31 in The Hollow Bar at 9pm.