A retired couple from Ardara who were angered and frustrated by the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Palestine have reached Dáil Eireann after completing a 255km walk from their home. Click on the arrows to see photos by Eamonn Coyle who met them in Dublin Former local GP, Dr Mireille Sweeney and her husband John set out on Friday, July 25 and completed their walk  which they named To The Capital For The People of Palestine on Saturday, August 2.  They were joined by a number of people and groups - including Healthcare Workers For Palestine - along the route, and particularly on the final stretch into Dublin. On arrival in the capital, the determined couple brought their message to a number of key locations including Dáil Eireann.  John and Mireille would like to thank all the people who supported them, walked with them and sent lovely messages during their unique journey. “It is not the action of one or two individuals that may make a difference for the people of Palestine but the sustained and constant pressure applied by the many,” they say.  READ NEXT: Lion’s Mane jellyfish warning issued - here’s everything you need to know if stung John explains to Donegal Live why it is a Walk to the Capital rather than to Dublin. “It can work in any country,” he says. “Other people can do the same thing in their own countries. We have seen this throughout history, in France, in England. Walking to the Capital is a very strong message.” Their walk has already captured the imagination of people in Mireille’s native France, where interest has been expressed in doing a similar walk.  John and Mireille’s route brought them from their home in Ardara, and on to Pettigo and Enniskillen while many fellow Donegal people were making the same journey to Dublin for the All Ireland final.  They continued via Belturbet, Cavan, Virginia and Kells, completing the final stage on Saturday, August 2 to arrive in Dublin for approximately 1pm.  Having been following news reports of the humanitarian crisis inplaceholder image
A retired couple from Ardara who were angered and frustrated by the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Palestine have reached Dáil Eireann after completing a 255km walk from their home. Click on the arrows to see photos by Eamonn Coyle who met them in Dublin Former local GP, Dr Mireille Sweeney and her husband John set out on Friday, July 25 and completed their walk  which they named To The Capital For The People of Palestine on Saturday, August 2.  They were joined by a number of people and groups - including Healthcare Workers For Palestine - along the route, and particularly on the final stretch into Dublin. On arrival in the capital, the determined couple brought their message to a number of key locations including Dáil Eireann.  John and Mireille would like to thank all the people who supported them, walked with them and sent lovely messages during their unique journey. “It is not the action of one or two individuals that may make a difference for the people of Palestine but the sustained and constant pressure applied by the many,” they say.  READ NEXT: Lion’s Mane jellyfish warning issued - here’s everything you need to know if stung John explains to Donegal Live why it is a Walk to the Capital rather than to Dublin. “It can work in any country,” he says. “Other people can do the same thing in their own countries. We have seen this throughout history, in France, in England. Walking to the Capital is a very strong message.” Their walk has already captured the imagination of people in Mireille’s native France, where interest has been expressed in doing a similar walk.  John and Mireille’s route brought them from their home in Ardara, and on to Pettigo and Enniskillen while many fellow Donegal people were making the same journey to Dublin for the All Ireland final.  They continued via Belturbet, Cavan, Virginia and Kells, completing the final stage on Saturday, August 2 to arrive in Dublin for approximately 1pm.  Having been following news reports of the humanitarian crisis in

Determined Donegal couple complete 255km walk to Dáil urging action on Palestine

Siobhán McNamara
By Siobhán McNamara

DonegalLive multimedia journalist

Published 3rd Aug 2025, 12:33 GMT

Retired Ardara GP Dr Mireille Sweeney and her husband John were joined by a number of people along the route and on the final stretch into Dublin

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

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Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

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Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

3.

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

4.

Donegal Camera Club We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.  Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.  TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

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