Five peaks, five days, one unforgettable friend

By Caoimhín Rowland

A collection of friends and family will don their best hiking boots and runners as they challenge to take on a daunting mission over five days many would leave as a single item in a bucket list, all in memory of one extraordinary man whose life was cut tragically short last August.

James McNeive had a way of bringing people together.

Whether it was coaxing a school class outdoors at the first crack of sunshine or lighting up the smiles of his Aghamore GAA teammates on the pitch with his infectious energy, James was a born motivator.

Now, almost a year after his tragic passing, his friends, family and teammates are preparing to honour that spirit in a way as mighty as the man himself.

Later this June, a close-knit crew, including James' twin brothers, friends from Aghamore GAA and a growing band of supporters, will take on a mammoth challenge, climbing the five highest peaks across Ireland and the UK in just five days.

“We had to pick something enormous, something fitting for the scale of the man,” says Enda Sweeney, one of James’ closest friends and a driving force behind the event. “He’s probably up there now, laughing at all the mistakes we’re making along the way. He’d be a better organiser than any of us.”

The James McNeive 5 Peaks Challenge is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to others during his short life.

It starts on June 24, the date of James' birthday.

The funds raised will ripple outwards, supporting a mix of causes close to James' life, the Irish Kidney Association (in honour of James’ brother, who is awaiting a transplant), the Irish Heart Foundation, Daisy Lodge in Cong, Make-A-Wish, and Mindspace Mayo.

It doesn’t stop there.

Some of the proceeds will also go back to the very schools where James taught including Glasnevin NS in Dublin, where James was a permanent teacher, as well as his former primary school in Bekan and the schools where James was a substitute teacher, in Gortskehy NS, the last school James taught in, as well as Knock NS, Tooreen NS, Aghamore NS and Ballyhaunis NS.

His former secondary school, St. Louis in Kiltimagh, will also be receiving supports from the James McNeive Foundation.

“James was all about getting his students outdoors,” Enda says.

“It was said in the condolences from his former colleagues and parents of the children he taught that if there was even a glimmer of blue sky, he'd have his students out.”

James’ memory still looms large at Aghamore GAA, where a team spearheaded by Brendan Harrison has rallied behind the challenge.

“He was the life and soul of the panel. It’s not at all an overstatement saying that. He was so important to all of us.”

Enda Sweeney, a fellow former team mate, said: “James gave so much in his 28 years. He was such a great friend, always checking in on people. He was my groomsman. This feels like the least we can do.”

The final climb, Croagh Patrick, will be a homecoming of sorts, a chance for the wider community to join the ascent, followed by a celebration back in Aghamore with local musicians, a monster auction, and a fitting time to commemorate the extraordinary life of James McNeive where the organisers will announce the final sum raised.

Corporate sponsors are already clambering to support, with gold, silver and bronze tiers available to those keen to see their logos tied to something that matters.

“We encourage any business to help us out in honouring James. With the gold tier we’ll have your brand front and centre at all stages of the climb. We’re open to talking to any organisation that wants to help us with our goal.

“We have Dermot Bannon supporting us. James taught his son in Dublin and we’re awaiting to announce a few more names but Dermot has been brilliant with all of his support, we can’t thank him enough,” said Enda.

Above all, Enda says, it's about remembering James as he was, not defined by the tragedy of his passing.

“It was such an awful last memory of James that we all have, that week waiting for his body to come home ahead of the funeral. It wouldn’t sit right that it would be the final image people would have of him, he was so much more than that.

“This is about giving back just a fraction of the energy he poured into the world,” Enda says.

“And if he’s looking down on us, I know he’ll be proud and probably laughing at us too.”

* An idonate page (James McNeive Foundation - 5 Peak Challenge 2025) has been set up with a target to raise €50,000.