Consultant conquers 32 county peaks in a week
In an inspiring display of determination, Richard Horgan, a hospital consultant, accomplished the extraordinary feat of scaling the highest mountain in every county in just one week. The challenge served as a poignant tribute to his late sister-in-law, Orla Gosnell, who tragically passed away at age of 38, five years ago.
As he descended the final peak, the 918 metre Galtymore on the Limerick/Tipperary border, the Cork-based obstetrician and gynaecologist said: “What a fantastic week it has been. I think if Orla could see us now, she’d be crying happy tears.”
The Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) medic, aged in his 40s, was joined by Orla’s husband Robert, her mum Myriam and dad Kees on his final descent. Richard was working at Dublin’s Rotunda when the social care worker tragically died just five months after delivering her fifth child at the Cork hospital in 2018.He undertook the climb in her memory – but also to raise funds to construct relaxing spaces in CUMH’s corridors for patients, their partners and staff.
He has almost tripled the initial target of €10,000 - with €28,000 so far rolling into CUH Charity from supporters at home and overseas. During the seven day trek with colleague and friend, Professor Richard Greene, the pair camped overnight at the base of their next peak, climbing a combined altitude of 16,000m, almost twice that of Mount Everest.
They slept for little more than four hours each night, beginning the mammoth 32 County Peaks in 1 Week challenge in Cork last Sunday 16 July, and traversing 2,100km of countryside by jeep to the highest point in each county. The all-island itinerary, hammered out weeks in advance, went without a hitch – not even the weather derailed them.
“I am overwhelmed by the love and respect for Orla, the support for Richard Greene and I, for CUMH, and I am humbled by the generosity and support of so many,” Richard said. Claire Concannon of CUH Charity described the Cork city-based father-of-three as a “fantastic representative” of so many donors who choose to fundraise in memory of a loved one.
“Part of Orla's legacy will be the creation of more comfortable spaces for anyone who may need it during their time in CUMH, where they can step away from the clinical spaces and just breathe. We are absolutely blown away by Richard’s energy and enthusiasm throughout the week and hugely appreciate his effort. Big thanks also to Prof Greene for such incredible support,” she said.
Richard explained that Orla always enjoyed a brilliant relationship with children. “She was so dynamic, it was always about the solution rather than the problem with her. This lives on in her five fabulous kids,” he said.
His fundraiser for CUH Charity remains open until 6 August at: www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/DrRichardHorgan32CountyPeaks.