Cork city firefighters Caomh McAuley and Niall Ó Crualaoichare asking the public to join them in a unique event – a race to the top of Cork County Hall on August 30, to raise funds for Cork University Hospital. Picture: Brian Lougheed.

Could you run up County Hall?

Steven Fox

Published: Wed 12 Aug 2026, 12:51 PM

Last updated: Wed 12 Aug 2026, 1:42 PM

A Cork firefighter who once held the Guinness World Record for running a marathon in full firefighting gear, is calling on the people of Cork to join him for Ireland’s first tower run up Cork County Hall.

Sub-officer Niall Ó Crualaoich, 51, is organising the event on 30 August in aid of Cork University Hospital.

Participants will be able to walk or run up the famous 67 metre structure, which comes in at 17 storeys, a total of 334 steps. All funds raised will go directly to CUH Charity and fund the vital work taking place within the hospital.

Ó Crualaoich said: “As far as we know, this is the first fundraiser of its kind in Ireland, north or south. We don’t have huge buildings in this country, and we are a couple of years behind England and Europe when it comes to obstacle course races.

“The plan is to get 100 people signed up. Any more than that and we lose the personal nature of it, too few and you don’t have the atmosphere. It’s going to tax people, especially if you want to run it, but it’s still achievable for everyone.

“Most people will be running in glad rags, I do expect one or two in fancy dress, and I already have two people threatening to run it in full fire kit,” he said.

A number of other firefighters are also involved, and Ó Crualaoich said that the run is typical of training they already do.

Ó Crualaoich, a father of three from Blackpool, said that he organised the event because of the central role that CUH has in Cork.

“Everyone has had some interaction with CUH, there’s so much centred there. This is part of a multi-year plan, it will go on. There is so much to do for CUH Charity and this is hopefully going to do a lot of good over the next few years.

“Every little bit helps. Hopefully, it makes life a little easier for people who need it at CUH.”

Ó Crualaoich will be the last to take on the steps, dressed, as he was in his successful World Record bid in 2010, in full firefighting gear. He has received help from fellow fireman Caomh McAuley, and their other colleagues.

Registration costs €25 and participants are invited to raise funds for CUH Charity themselves as part of the event.