'Tommy would've been proud' - Friends and family climb Carrauntoohil in honour of late Offaly teacher

Family, friends and colleagues of the late Tommy Godley scaled Ireland's highest mountain on Saturday to raise funds following the teacher's passing in March.

Tommy Godley sadly passed away in late march earlier this year, and is remembered by his loving wife Siobhán and his children Jack, Ellen and Ger. The Kerry man was hailed an a "great coach" for the Tullamore Harriers, and an exceptional teacher at Killina Presentation Secondary School.

The group, which included nearly forty people, summitted Carrauntoohil at 10am yesterday as part of 'Carrauntoohil for Tommy', raising funds for Offaly Hospice.

The group was led up the mountain by former world mountain running champion and a "great friend" of Tommy Godley, John Lenihan.

Tommy's daughter Ellen Congratulated the group that joined her for the difficult climb over the weekend, saying in a post on Facebook: "Well done to everyone who climbed Carrauntoohil in memory of Dad yesterday.

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"Thank you to everyone who donated to Offaly Hospice. We are overwhelmed with the support."

Tommy's former colleagues from Killina Presentation Secondary School, where Tommy had worked as a teacher, described the climb as "tough enough going at times", but added there was plenty of "craic and fun".

"As the group was gathering around the Cross, you will have a job convincing me that the sun breaking through and opening spectacular views wasn't due to a smiling Tommy's intercession!" a former coworker of Tommy said. 

"Tommy would have been very proud of the organisation and efficiency, but most of all with the craic and fun along the way, and the sense of achievement afterwards for all, especially the many for whom it was their first time on top of the Irish bit of the world."

The group has raised over 7,700 so far, and will donate the money to Offaly Hospice, "which provides invaluable services which Dad availed of throughout his illness".