'I was so proud to play with Leitrim' - Amble star gears up for 50 Mile Challenge

One of Leitrim's greatest exports is coming home and is all set to take part in one of the biggest events of the year! Robbie Cunningham of Irish folk band Amble is thrilled to be coming home to do the 50 Miles Challenge and in a video posted to Leitrim's GAA Facebook page, he talks excitedly about returning to Leitrim. 

Robbie and the band have supported Hozier in America and next year, will support Dermot Kennedy and Ed Sheeran. 

He said that taking part in challenge is an experience close to his heart. "I can't wait to get out with my friends and family; get up and get walking and talking to the people that I've missed the most and start off the new year right. Join us this January; you can run, you can walk, you can connect with Leitrim. Sign up now and get your hat and we'll make 2026 the best year yet."

Amble is an Irish folk band who formed in 2022 and the band's members are Robbie Cunningham, Oisín McCaffrey, and Ross McNerney.

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The band was originally formed by Robbie and Oisín as a duo in 2022 with their main aim to play cover versions in the pubs in order to obtain free pints. Ross was added to the band due to his skills playing the mandolin and banjo.  

After playing a concert in Leitrim, Ross suggested that the band become a serious endeavour. At the time, Oisín was working as a data scientist and programmer at Pfizer, Robbie was a primary school teacher in Terenure and Ross was a secondary school teacher in Longford.

By 2024, all three members had quit their jobs after signing a recording contract with Warner Records. When Robbie told his father that he would quit his job, his father responded with the phrase, "throw the trout out to catch the salmon" and the phrase, which the band has described as "resonating", has appeared on official merchandise. 

In 2025, Amble joined Hozier's Unreal Unearth Tour, appearing as an opening act in Boston, Casper and Toronto. 

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In the video posted by Leitrim GAA, Robbie is standing on the edge of Lough Gill, just outside his hometown of Dromahair.

He said: "In 2022, I met a Longford and a Sligo man and we started our band Amble. Since then, I've been lucky enough to travel the world and play music and pursue this passion. It's been an absolute dream come true but the more time I spend away from home, I just miss it so much. I love getting back to Dromahair, the people, the place, the scenery is just absolutely beautiful; my family, it's the happiest place in the world."

Amble formed in the Glen Centre in Manorhamilton in October 2022. "It was the first time myself and Oisín met Ross; that night at the gig. We played the gig and the next day, Ross text us and said, 'Boys, I think we should make a band' and so we did."

He said that Leitrim is a "very special place; especially my hometown of Dromahair. It's somewhere I always look forward to getting home to; the walks, the hikes, the trails. It's such a beautiful place to be inspired by and it's where my family and friends are."

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He said that supporting Hozier was a dream come true at stadiums such as Fenway Park and the Rodger's Stadium. Next year, the boys will be going on tour with industry legends, Dermott Kennedy and Ed Sheeran. "We also got to do a couple of our own headline shows in the 3Arena in Dublin this December so that was a real moment for us."

Robbie spoke of how he grew up playing football with Dromahair from ten years of age. "I was lucky enough at 14, to get picked to play with Leitrim. It was a wonderful thing at the time and I was so proud to play with Leitrim the whole way up until senior. Some of the fondest memories I have are playing football with Dromahair and Leitrim and the friendships that I made along the way. A lot of those people I still bump into around the world when playing music; lads that I grew up playing football with."

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He added: "I'm very proud to support Leitrim and wherever I am in the world, I'll always be supporting Leitrim."

This year’s campaign introduces the slogan Run, Walk and Connect, reflecting the expanded invitation to runners alongside walkers and encouraging participants to engage with Leitrim supporters both at home and abroad.

The 50 Miles Challenge continues to be a joint initiative between Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA, with all proceeds shared equally. Funds raised are vital to supporting inter-county player panels and their aspirations for success in the 2026 season.

Participants will be invited to join the official Facebook Group and Strava Club, fostering a vibrant online community of Leitrim enthusiasts. A new initiative will spotlight the county’s scenic and historic treasures: walkers and runners are encouraged to share photos of hidden gems they encounter during the challenge. Each week in January, a dedicated panel will select the most captivating submissions, awarding prizes to celebrate the beauty and heritage of Leitrim.

The iconic Leitrim 50 Miles Challenge beanie hat returns, featuring both the Leitrim GAA crest and the Leitrim Tourism logo.

You can sign up for the event here.