Art O’Neill Pursuit & Challenge 2024 (12th Jan)

The Art O’Neill Pursuit & Challenge is a unique event in the Irish outdoor running scene, organised by and solely for the benefit of the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. It retraces a historic escape from Dublin Castle that happened on 6th January 1592. That night, Art O’Neill, his brother Henry, and Red Hugh O’Donnell broke out of the Castle and made for Glenmalure 60k away in the Wicklow Mountains. On a freezing night the three made their way on foot and without the benefit of winter coats, having had to leave them in their cells. Henry and Hugh both made it to safety but sadly Art, for whom the Challenge is named, succumbed to hypothermia along the way.

The Art O’Neill Pursuit runs alongside the Challenge to the point at Kippure Estate in Co. Wicklow where the Castle wardens gave up pursuit of the escapees after 25k due to poor weather. The 2024 nighttime race started at 10pm at Dublin Castle on Friday night 12th January and 7 Mullingar Harriers braved the elements to complete the 25k event.

Patricia Broderick, Caroline Mullen, Terri Greene, Nuala Moran, Pauline Troy, Olivia Cronin and Martin Mullen headed off with 200 others from Dublin Castle, passing through Harolds Cross, Templeogue and Firhouse, before heading into freezing fog as the route took them up narrow country roads into Wicklow. The running was tough and demanding as they headed up into the mountains, stopping at the famine cross for a water stop. Onward to Kippure Estate where all the runners were welcomed by a large contingent of volunteers. Refreshments were available at the finish with a band providing music to raise the spirits of our tired but very satisfied heroes.