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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Pictured above are the large group of hikers assembling at Kinnitty Castle to begin the outing led by Roscrea Ramblers walking club into the Slieve Bloom mountains . Photo: D. Keegan
An idea posted online for a sober themed hike into the mountains by the founder of the Roscrea Narcotics Anonymous group gained huge support last week and saw almost 200 people gather in Kinnitty this morning for a trek into the Slieve Bloom mountains.
Blessed with glorious weather, spirits were high at Kinnitty Castle this morning when the large crowd came out to support the first Social Sober Hike organised by James Gleeson, who founded Roscrea's new Narcotics Anonymous group last year with close friend Richard Loughnane.
Speaking to the Tribune before setting off into the mountains this morning for the 10km trek led by the Roscrea Ramblers walking club, James Gleeson said he was bowled over by the huge response and large turn out.
The story of the Social Sober Hike even gained national attention last week, when RTÉ travelled to Roscrea to interview James and Richard about the idea and the success of the Roscrea narcotics addiction support group.
Pictured above is James Gleeson, organiser of the Sober Hike and founder of Roscrea's Narcotics Anonymous group, speaking to the large group outside Kinnitty Castle this morning. Photo: D. Keegan
It is the first of many public events planned by two lifelong friends from Roscrea who set up a local branch of Narcotics Anonymous last May and also plan to bring inspirational speakers to Roscrea with stories about overcoming addiction.
42-year-old James Gleeson is a married father-of-five from Roscrea and works as a commercial sales representative and is now 27 months in recovery and his best friend, 49-year-old building contractor Richard Loughnane, thanks James for being the inspiration he sought help for his own drug and alcohol addictions.
Roscrea's Narcotics Anonymous group meet at the Legion Hall in the grounds of St. Cronan's Church (beside the Franciscan Friary) every Friday and anyone interested in more information about the group can contact Richard on (089) 4621777 or James on (085) 2180041.
The large crowd of hikers assemble outside Kinnitty Castle before heading into the Slieve Bloom mountains for a 10km 'Social Sober Hike' led by the Roscrea Ramblers. Photo: D. Keegan
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