Offaly teen's memorable Kerry climb to honour his grandad

After Tullamore man John Carroll passed away last March, his son, Padraig, started noticing a robin showing up at his house every morning.

"No matter what time in the morning, when you pull the curtains at the back door, this robin lands in front of you and hangs around there all morning," he said.

Last week, Padraig's 14-year-old son Oisín completed a charity climb of Ireland's highest peak, Carrauntoohill, in memory of his beloved grandad.

Accompanied by his Dad and his Mum, Pamela, Oisín climbed the mountain in his grandad's hiking boots. And when he was putting the boots on that morning, a robin came down and landed at his feet.

Then, even more unusually, about 800 metres into the 1,038 metre climb, as they prepared for the difficult final ascent, a robin again landed alongside the group.

The local guide who was leading the climb recognised how unlikely this was. "The guide we had couldn't believe it," said Padraig.

"As he said, there was not a tree around, no bushes, no other birds, and this little robin appears at 800 metres.

"It was kind of comforting. We felt that (my dad) was there with us if the robin was there. It made the day."

Oisín, a student of Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore, had come up with the idea for the climb. He was very close to his grandad, who was 61 years of age when he died following a battle with a chronic lung disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

The challenge was designed to raise funds for the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA), and so far a hugely impressive €3,160 has been collected for the charity. Padraig said that when outstanding sponsorship cards are returned, the final total is likely to be close to €4,000.

Oisín, Padraig and Pamela wore ILFA t-shirts on the climb, and a photo of John was carried to the summit of Carrauntoohil.

The climb took place on Friday last, August 5, amid favourable conditions.

"While we were on the summit, the cloud cover came down on top of us for about half an hour. You couldn't see anything at the summit, but when you were at 900 metres you could see all around you. There were brilliant views. The weather held up great for us."

As they started the climb, Oisín, who is involved in soccer and other sport, was "raring to go" and he completed it without much difficulty. His parents found it a tougher task.

"Parts of it were very challenging," explained Padraig, who mentioned the section known as the 'Devil's Ladder' which is "fairly vertical" with loose rock and shingle.

"Then you had the 250 metre ascent to the summit which was fairly vertical too, and on loose stone as well. You really felt it on the last 200 metres to the summit.

"Coming down is easier, but not much easier. Your body's muscles are working one way for three and a half hours and then they have to change and work the other way. We came down a different route.

"It's an epic journey and challenge for anyone to do. I would recommend it, but you'd need to get training in beforehand. I do mountain walking, in the Slieve Blooms, and I reckon that benefited me greatly."

As they came down from the mountain, Oisín, Padraig and Pamela were met by a number of relatives including Oisín's sister, Saoirse; his grandmother, Maureen; his aunt, Sinead; and his grand-uncle, Thomas.

The day was one the family will never forget. "This was something we never thought we'd do," said Padraig.

On social media, the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) congratulated Oisín on competing the epic climb.

"We are in awe of Oisín's hard work and commitment to fundraise for ILFA. What an incredible challenge to take on to honour his much-loved grandad," said the charity.