50 Miles Challenge in January

50 MILES JANUARY CHALLENGE 2024

The 50 Miles Challenge for January kicks on on home turf at Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada at 1pm on Monday, Jan 1st  with a super turnout promised  from all the clubs in the county.Every GAA club will be represented and we hope to see lots of colour with the new 2024 hats & club jerseys.Eleanor Shanley and her fellow Garadice band members, John McCartin, Padraig McGovern & Dave Sheridan will be there to kick off the first mile of the Challenge and also play a few tunes. We look forward to Eleanor singing Lovely Leitrim.Karina Crowe from St Mary’s who runs the Shop in Avant Money Páirc Seán will provide complimentary Tea and Coffee for everyone who attends.These funds raised are essential for the development of our men’s and ladies teams from underage development squads to our senior teams. It should be a great occasion, so come along and join the fun!Remember also to1 – Register & claim your FREE 2024 hat here:    https://www.leitrimgaa.ie/challenge/2 – Join the special 50 Miles Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/50mileschallenge2024

Official launch of the 50 Mile Challenge this evening in Carrick Campus

This evening at 6pm in the Carrick Campus the 50 Mile Challenge will be launched by Leitrim GAA & LGFA and the registration officially opened here on LeitrimGAA.ie.

All those who sign up as fundraisers will receive a lovely GOLD beanie hat in addition to a Leitrim GAA themed fundraising page.  As before Leitrim County Council are the major sponsors of the Challenge and are working closely with the organisers to highlight county Leitrim during the campaign as a great place to live in, work in, relocate to, invest in and of course to visit and enjoy.

Once again, we will be revealing a number of new exciting Ambassador videos. The 2023 collection of videos amassed almost 850,000 views across the globe. For the forthcoming challenge there are 6 Challenge Ambassadors who have recorded videos made by Brian Duignan of Carrick-on-Shannon and with the financial support of Leitrim County Council.

Many prominent Companies are getting behind the event again this year as they encourage health & wellbeing through corporate participation.  The participating companies come from all sectors and all corners of the county and surrounding areas. If you own or work for a company and would like to be involved please email 50miles@leitrimgaa.ie

Participation in the challenge is open to all community-based organisations, government departments and local groups who are more than welcome to harness the uplifting energy that this event offers and to encourage members to get out and about for the month. All participants are encouraged to share their activity on social media and in the very engaging Facebook group – regular exercise & social participation is vital for physical and mental health.

Globally the Leitrim diaspora will be out in force with us this January. Last year we had participation and donations from 72 countries and for January we welcome more groups and individual participants as the Leitrim brand spreads globally.

In addition to fundraising, this event aims to give our beautiful county a national & global focus for the month of January as a wonderful place to explore, experience and enjoy as you live in, work in or relocate to.  To all of our participants please help us promote the event far and wide and actively use the two hashtags #50MilesChallenge & #LiveWorkInvest to spread the word.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for more updates from this evenings formal launch.

Sign up for the hat is available here on LeitrimGAA.ie & the ever popular annual Facebook Group is available here.

#50MilesChallenge
#LiveWorkInvest

 

London Calling

As Leitrim play London this coming Sunday the 5th of February, there will be a large gathering of supporters from both home and away in Ruislip.   Over the last month over a thousand Leitrim people have been taking part in the  #50mileschallenge  to raise much needed funds for both Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA. There has been plenty of activity on social media with loads of shared stories and memories.   Everyone taking part is sporting a Leitrim beanie which are getting a great reaction.   We are asking fans in London who have been taking part or wish to be associated with the initiative to attend at the side of the McGovern stand on the club house side for a photo opportunity about 20 mins before the game.    Entry is free to the game & don’t forget your hat and there will be a number of beanie hats available for supporters.  If you wish to support the effort you can donate via the link below.
All support is greatly appreciated.

Donate via this link to the London based Supporters Club fundraiser page

 

 

Donate via this link to the London based Supporters Club fundraiser page

 

January 50 Mile Challenge – the third in the highly successful series

In a pioneering collaboration, the Leitrim Ladies Gaelic footballers have joined forces with Leitrim GAA in organising the next January 50 Mile Challenge, the third in the highly successful series.

The preparatory work has been underway for months, this time with the full involvement of the ladies organisation led by its Chairperson, Kathy Butler.   It is believed to be the first such collaboration between the two organisations in the country and the Leitrim ladies will share in the funds raised so as to enhance their teams’ activities.

The lime green beanie hat is illustrated by Kathy Butler with the Leitrim Tourism logo on one side and the Leitrim GAA crest on the other.  Last January the yellow beanie hat worn by participants was a familiar sight in the county enabling fellow participants to readily recognise each other.

All those who sign up as fundraisers will receive the new beanie hat in addition to a Leitrim GAA themed fundraising page.  As before Leitrim County Council are the major sponsors of the Challenge and are working closely with the organisers to highlight county Leitrim during the campaign as a great place to live in, work in, relocate to, invest in and of course to visit and enjoy.

Last January one of the most successful promotions of the 50 mile challenge was the short Ambassador videos by personalities including Charlie McGettigan and Carole Coleman set against the county’s beautiful outdoor scenes.  The 2022 collection of videos amassed almost 500,000 views.  For the forthcoming challenge there will be nine Challenge Ambassadors who have recorded videos made by Brian Duignan of Carrick-on-Shannon and with the financial support of Leitrim County Council.

An exciting new initiative this year is the inclusion of a large number of prominent Companies who are getting behind the event as they encourage health & wellbeing through corporate participation.  The participating companies come from all sectors and all corners of the county and surrounding areas.  If you own or work for a company and would like to be involved please email 50miles@leitrimgaa.ie

Leitrim County Council are running a Recruitment and Enterprise Expo in the Landmark Hotel on 27th January to align with the last week of the 50 Miles challenge.  A large number of high profile companies will be participating in this Expo.

Participation in the challenge is open to all community based organisations, government departments and local groups who are more than welcome to harness the uplifting energy that this event offers and to encourage members to get out and about for the month.  All participants are encouraged to share their activity on social media and in the very engaging Facebook group – regular exercise & social participation is vital for physical and mental health.

Globally the Leitrim diaspora will be out in force with us this January and we are delighted to announce a new group in London to compliment our existing group in New York.  The London group is headed up by ex Leitrim footballer David O’Connor who hails from Dromod.  Last year we had participation and donations from 65 countries and for January we welcome more groups and individual participants as the Leitrim brand spreads globally.

This event aims to give our beautiful county a national & global focus for the month of January as a wonderful place to explore, experience and enjoy as you live in, work in or relocate to.

The formal launch of the Leitrim January 50 Mile Challenge is set for the Lough Rynn Castle Hotel on the evening of Thursday, December 8.

Sign up for the hat will be available here on LeitrimGAA.ie from Thursday next & a new Facebook Group similar to last year will be announced.

 

   

 

Exactly 1 week to go, can’t wait !
#bignews #launch #january #walking
💚🚶‍♀️💛

#Leitrim #enjoyLeitrim #50miles #jobsfairy #jobsExpo

@LeitrimLGFA  @LadiesFootball  @officialgaa
@leitrimcoco  @leitrimdevco  @leitrimtourism

Leitrim GAA’s 50 miles in January 2022 gets off to a Flying start!

In January 2021, Leitrim GAA organized a 50mile challenge to encourage participants to shake off the restrictions of the Covid regime and discover the beautiful walks in the county and benefit from walking and exercising in the open air.

It was successful beyond expectation with many of the Leitrim diaspora across the world participating. The second annual 50 miles in January challenge commenced earlier this month and the challenge has been taken up with gusto by Leitrim People from all around the world as well as here in Ireland.

With 1,700 hats already distributed there are Leitrim people walking in the 50 miles challenge in nine different countries, including, Australia, Austria, Canada, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark and Spain.   There are 212 people already taking part in the United States, and 36 in the United Kingdom, in addition people are walking in 27 out of the 32 counties across Ireland with 1,191 registered for the challenge in Leitrim there are 75 registered in Dublin and 27 registered in Roscommon. Already in the second week of January almost €65,000 has been raised to fund the preparation of County Teams by those taking part.

Leitrim County Council is delighted to partner with the GAA on this initiative.  The potential reach to the Leitrim Diaspora at home and abroad and the opportunity to promote the County as a destination for visiting, relocating to or starting a business in gives the Council a readymade opportunity to assist in having the awareness of the county raised across the world. Leitrim County Council has identified several key synergies between this initiative and its  potential in assisting the Council in achieving objectives in relation to diaspora engagement, tourism promotion, outdoor recreation in the county, and to support other sectoral initiatives.

County Leitrim has a significant offering in terms of quality of life for those living here or indeed those members of the diaspora who may want to consider a future return home. Quality employment is available in many sectors including Hospitality, Services, Retail, Public Service and technology focused businesses  with Vistamed for example recently announcing the recruitment of 100 members of staff at their Carrick on Shannon site. In addition the County offers quality childcare and education facilities, sporting and leisure facilities are all of an excellent standard.

Leitrim County Council and the Local Enterprise Office are hosting a virtual jobs fairs on February 23rd 2022. Keep in touch with updates on this event through the local enterprise office www.localenterprise.ie/leitrim

We invite those taking part in this year’s 50 miles in January challenge to take a look at recently launched guide to walks around the County of Leitrim which can be found on the Leitrim Tourism Website www.enjoyleitrim.com/walks. While all of those participating are walking in their local areas, you may be interested to see the range and quality of walks in the County, from walks in Towns and Village, to Forest Walks, Canal and Lakeside Walks, looped and long Distance walks for all abilities, and if you don’t get to try them during January you may get a chance to explore on your next visit home.

50 Miles in January Prize Draw- Results

The prize draws, associated with the Leitrim GAA 50 Miles in January Challenge, for the fundraisers and donors took place earlier this evening and were beamed out on Facebook live. The following were the lucky winners:

Fundraisers Draw

1st Prize Signed Leitrim Jersey

Ann Whitney, Keshcarrigan.

2nd Prize Leitrim GAA Jacket

Paula Mollahan, Leitrim Village.

3rd Prize Leitrim GAA Wind Cheater

Aoife Dorr, Longford.

 

Donors Draw

1st Prize Coaching Session for a nominated team at Leitrim COE with Terry Hyland’s Management Team

Mandy Gilmartin

2nd Prize €1,000 Brick in Wall at Leitrim GAA McGovern Aughavas COE

Marie McWeeney

3rd Prize 1 Year Subscription to Leitrim GAA TV

Patrick O Meara

While we have the contact details of the winners in the Fundraisers Draw, we do not have access to the contact details of the winners in the Donors Draw. In order to claim your prize, you need to contact secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie with factual verification of your donation receipt and we will contact you back to confirm details.

Leitrim GAA is hugely appreciative of the efforts made by almost 2,000 people across the globe towards this extraordinary success which has been contributed to and shared equally by all donors, participants and organisers.

Míle Buíochas daoibh go léir.

 

New York Walkers for Leitrim out in force for 50 Mile Challenge Finale

Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce that the Leitrim supporters in New York are organizing a socially distanced Grand Finale walk next Sunday in conjunction with the ending of our month long 50 Mile Challenge.

Our challenge has grabbed the imagination of many with over 1,200 participating from all over the world including many well known faces Stateside.  Over the weeks, like our supporters across the globe, the green and gold army in New York having been regularly posting updates of their participation and to mark the end of the challenge they are gathering together on Sunday for a special Leitrim Day.

Leitrim GAA and our supporters in New York have a long association.  Our main sponsor JP Clarke’s owned by well known Leitrim people Seamus & Caitriona Clarke are worthy recipients of the Leitrim Guardian People of the Year 2021.

Below is a message from the New York Supporting Leitrim committee with details of the day.  Leitrim GAA is very appreciative of the efforts of the organizing committee and participants.

_____________________________________

 

Message from New York Supporting Leitrim committee

As a show of support to all Leitrim people around the world who have taken part in the 50-Mile Challenge, we are asking Leitrim lovers to join us for a grand finale walk on Sunday January 31 in Tibbetts Park, Yonkers.

Anyone who has not had the opportunity to sponsor someone can still do so online, or in person next Sunday.

We will meet up at 9.45am in front of the main building.

We will have some socially-distant warm up exercises, take some photographs and then disperse for our walk around the lake, which is approximately two miles.

We look forward to meeting you and hope you enjoy your walk for Leitrim!

New York donations can be made to the GoFundMe using this special link:

leitrimgaa.ie/newyork50

 

 

 

 

Announcement – 3 Great prizes for donor’s to 50 Mile Challenge

1st Prize –  WIN a coaching session from the Leitrim Senior Team Manager Terry Hyland at the Centre Of Excellence for a juvenile team of your choice.

To be entered in the draw, make a donation to the Leitrim Supporters who are braving the rain and frost to do the 50 Miles in January challenge.

You can donate here -> gofund.me/97078341
You could also win:
2nd Prize – Your family name and message on a €1,000 brick in the Leitrim Wall
3rd Prize – One year’s subscription to Leitrim GAA TV

*Terms & Conditions apply

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Multiple donations allowed
Prizes will only be given to named donors. Anonymous donors will not be eligible for a prize.
The prizes are as stated and no cash alternative will be available
The decision of Leitrim Co Board and the organisers of this challenge is final in relation to any disputes

50 Miles in January Challenge for Leitrim GAA

Leitrim GAA is organising a unique and exciting  fitness challenge in January to raise funds for all Leitrim inter – county  teams. Supporters are asked to  sign up to walk , run, or for the very ambitious solo 50 miles during the month.  There has been an excellent response to the Challenge so far with over 500 supporters joining up from all over Leitrim and beyond including Melbourne, Chicago and Dubai.

The lead on the project is former Leitrim footballer Adrian O Flynn from Manorhamilton who is experienced in organising  very successful similar type fundraisers for a number  of charities in Ireland and the UK.
This initiative comes at a critical time for Leitrim GAA finances due to the fallout from Covid.  The target is to raise €50,000  and this will ensure the preparation of  all Leitrim teams from academy to senior.
Enda Stenson Chairperson Leitrim GAA said. “This is a wonderful initiative  and I thank  Adrian O’Flynn for bringing it and his vast expertise to  Leitrim  GAA“.   He said he is delighted to see so many people signing up for the Challenge and Leitrim is on track to have the fittest supporters  in Ireland by the end of January.
Also welcoming the 50 Mile challenge is Leitrim Senior Manager Terry Hyland who said Leitrim team management and the Leitrim panel are fully backing the initiative  and members of the team will be participating themselves.   He  is encouraging as many supporters as possible to get involved and join the wider Leitrim  fitness programme.
Joining the campaign is very easy according to Adrian O Flynn,  simply go on to the Leitrim GAA website and  you will be directed to  join the 50 Mile team. You will the be given simple instructions on how the campaign and Go Funding works. The team is growing by the hour and there is an opportunity to link up with fellow participants across the world and have a bit of fun.

To become a fundraising team member:

Step 1 – click here to become a Team Member on GoFundMe (you need to click the activation link at the top & then sign-up)

Step 2 – click here to join the rest of the gang in the Facebook group