A Galway woman undertook eight months of intensive training before tackling one of the world’s toughest endurance events – a 250km race across the Sahara Desert – in memory of her mother and to raise funds in her memory.

Áine Kenny from Cloonlyon, Ballygar, completed the Marathon des Sables ultra-marathon in the Sahara Desert, last month, raising almost €7,400 for Galway Hospice in the process.

“I’ve been fundraising for the Galway Hospice in memory of my mother, Rosaleen. She was very well cared for during her very short time there in August 2023 before sadly passing away on September 1 that year,” she said.

The Marathon des Sables is a six-stage ultra marathon with a total distance of 250km and is widely regarded as being one of the toughest footraces in the world. Each stage varies in distance with the longest day being approx. 83km.

But what really gives this race its legendary status is that participants are required to be self-sufficient for the week.

That meant that, for the race, Áine was required to carry all of her food supplies for seven days as well as her sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove and fuel – and a list of mandatory equipment required by the event organisers.

The only thing provided to the participants was water at checkpoints located every seven-to-twelve-kilometres along the course and a shelter, which Áine described as basically some open-sided tents held up by a few sticks.

Participants also received five litres of water each evening that had to supply them until the first check point on the following day. Áine had about 11kgs in her rucksack starting off on day one plus 1.5 litres of water.

“One of the biggest challenges posed by the race are the high temperatures,” she said.

“Temperatures can reach well in excess of 40 degrees Celsius and have exceeded 50 degrees Celsius in previous editions of the race.

“We were quite fortunate this year in that we were not subjected to such extreme temperatures. We had a real mix of weather between heat – high 30s/low 40s in the late morning/afternoon – thunder and lightning storms, sandstorms and even rain; yes, it rains in the Sahara!

“Such weather is becoming more common in the Sahara due to the impacts of climate change. We even had a few collapsed tent episodes during the nights due to the force of the sandstorms!” she added,

Despite the crazy weather and lack of sleep, Áine completed the race on Saturday, April 12, along with 14 other colleagues coached by Galway’s extreme adventurer, transatlantic rower and former Connacht Rugby star Damian Browne.

“We were well prepared for the race following an intense training program led by Damian for the eight months prior to the race. It was an incredible, yet challenging, experience,” said Áine.

There were 52 nationalities represented in the race, including over 30 Irish. Over 900 participated in the race with about 850 completing it successfully.

“The atmosphere at the campsites each evening was amazing. It was such a wonderful and well organised event,” said Áine.

Stage four of the race is known as the ‘long day’ – and certainly the toughest day, particularly the last 25k or so.

“I’d never run/walked that distance in one go before, so it was a shock to the system. The mental strength had to kick in at that stage to get me to the end of it!” said Áine.

“There were still two stages to complete after that – a 42km stage and 21km to finish. But once the long day was done, I felt that I’d broken the back of it, and nothing was going to stop me from completing it.”

Not that her fundraising efforts ended there because she has since hosted a Coffee Morning in Ballygar Courthouse on Easter Sunday after she returned home from Morocco.

And that helped her raise almost €7,400 – well in excess of her €5,000 target – which she presented to Galway Hospice last week.

“I’d like to thank everyone that donated very generously to this very worthy cause, to all those that helped with hosting the coffee morning and to Ballygar Tidy Towns for the use of the courthouse for the event.

“Overall, I was very happy with how it went. It was incredibly tough but very rewarding and worth all the time and effort I put in preparing for it.”

Pictured: Áine Kenny at full pelt coming down the sand dunes during the Marathon des Sables.

Galway based Alison, the world’s largest free online learning platform for workplace skills, has proudly announced a major milestone: the graduation of its one millionth learner in the United States of America.

The announcement marks a significant moment in Alison’s mission to provide accessible, CPD accredited, skills-based learning for all, and highlights its expanding footprint across the U.S.A.

Founded in 2007 by Mike Feerick, Alison has grown into a global education pioneer, offering over 5,500 free online courses across a range of industries – from IT and business to healthcare, education, and more.

With over 45 million registered learners worldwide, the U.S. represents one of its largest and fastest-growing learner bases.

“Reaching one million graduates in the United States is not just a numerical milestone, it’s a powerful validation of our mission,” said Ciaran Cannon, VP of Global Affairs with Alison.

“Millions of Americans are seeking affordable, flexible, and practical education options. At Alison, we’re meeting that need at minimal cost, without barriers, and with a deep commitment to lifelong learning.

“Last week alone, we had over 7,000 graduates across the US, people who availed of a powerful opportunity to gain a lifechanging skill. We’re with them every step of the way to a rewarding career,” he added.

Alison is a leading global empowerment platform offering free online learning, psychometric assessments, career guidance, a powerful Learning Management System, and recruitment services.

With a mission to make education and opportunity universally accessible, Alison empowers millions worldwide to upskill, grow, and thrive –  comletely free.

Alison’s free learning platform also enables training providers, policymakers, and employers to maximise limited budgets while equipping job seekers with essential skills.

Its globally recognised certifications help learners stand out in competitive job markets without incurring tuition fees. In 2024 alone, Alison delivered 4.1 million hours of free learning in the U.S., valued at $422m.

“As economic landscapes shift, and technology transforms work, the demand for continuous upskilling is exploding”, said Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison.

“Alison is not just part of that conversation, we’re leading it, making high-quality education free and accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

“When people register with Alison for the first time, they do so in the knowledge that we have the tools and learning pathways to take them wherever they need to go.

“We’re currently translating all of our 5,500 courses into Spanish, a move that will allow us to support the 40 million Americans who speak that language on a daily basis,” he added.

With growing partnerships across states and sectors, Alison is poised to further its impact in the U.S., supporting individuals, employers, educators and communities with low-cost solutions for professional growth and lifelong learning.

Pictured: Celebrating one million Alison graduates in the USA…Olivia Cosgrove, Alison Head of Government Partnerships, Alannah Timmins, Alison Education Lead, and Ciaran Cannon, Alison VP of Global Affairs.

Twenty-one men from Marconi Men’s Shed, Clifden are reaping the rewards of better health and well-bring after they recently completed an eight-week ‘Tai Chi and Mindfulness’ Course.

The course was organised by the Carers Department, HSE West and North West, with funding from Galway County Council’s ‘Healthy Galway Fund’.  Participants were presented with certificates last month at a special ceremony held in Clifden District Hospital.

Tom McWilliam from Ballyconneely, Chairperson of the Marconi Men’s Shed, shared his thoughts on the course.

“Tai Chi and Mindfulness have taught us to focus on our breathing and truly live in the present moment, which really helps to quiet the mind from everyday stresses,” he said.

“The course also brought us closer together, creating a strong sense of connection within the group. We shared a lot of laughter and supported one another throughout—it really reflects the spirit of the Men’s Shed.”

Peter Jeffries from Clifden also completed the course – at the age of 81.

“This was my second time doing the course, and I didn’t miss a single class either time—every week was fantastic,” he said.

“Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels—I’m living proof at 81 years old and the oldest participant in the group. It’s a low-impact exercise with slow, gentle movements combined with mindful breathing.

“The course also gave me and my fellow shedders a great social outlet and the chance to meet new people and make lasting friendships,” he added.

“All participants reported improvements in their overall health and well-being after completing the eight-week course,” said Michelle Harrison, Manager of the Carers Department, HSE West and North West.

“They highlighted a wide range of benefits, including better sleep, improved coordination and flexibility, a greater sense of calm and relaxation, enhanced mood, increased shoulder mobility, reduced joint stiffness and pain, improved fitness, better stress management, more energy, and overall improvements in both physical and mental well-being.”

Regular Tai Chi and Mindfulness practice has been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved balance and flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety, lowered blood pressure, improved immune function, relief of chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and improved cognitive function.

If you’re interested in joining the Marconi Men’s Shed in Clifden, contact Geraldine Kelly on 095 37125.

Pictured: Attending the ‘Tai Chi and Mindfulness Course’ Presentation of Certificates Ceremony in Clifden were (front – from left) John O’Malley; Tim Hickey; Jimmy O’Toole; Peter Jeffries; Michelle Harrison, Manager, Carers Department, HSE West and North West; Joseph Coyne; Percy Hyland, with (back) Padraig Duane; Donal Thorp; Terence McWilliam; Stephen Gibbons; Gerry Coyne; Tom McWilliam; Stewart Clark; Peter Carey; Tom King; Natalia Krause, Tai Chi and Mindfulness Instructor and Tim Gough.

A large-scale residential development has been approved for Athenry with permission granted for the construction of 133 badly needed dwellings in the town.

Already it is understood that the developers, Athenry Ventures Limited, have already received a number of inquiries from potential purchasers who are finding it extremely difficult to access properties in the city.

The proposed development at the site of Culliarbaun House, which was built around 1920, has been granted permission subject to 35 planning conditions being complied with.

The development, on a ten-acre site, includes the provision of twelve one-bed units, ten two-bed units, 109 three-bed units and two four-bed dwellings.

It also provides for a pre-school creche, the provision of 185 car parking spaces, 274 long-term bicycle parking spaces and 100 short-term bicycle parking spaces along with the provision of extensive, communal, open space.

During the planning process, concern was expressed locally that as Culliarbaun House is registered as a National Build Heritage Structure the extensive development may have potential implications for the continued preservation and heritage value of this property.

It was stated in a submission to the planning authority that the proposed development appeared to involve works near or adjacent to the house.

“Any intervention in close proximity should be carried out with due care and sensitivity to ensure the integrity, setting and historic character of the structure are fully respected and preserved,” it said.

“Any new development should be designed to compliment and not detract from the historic and architectural context of the protected structure,” it further stated in the submission.

The site itself is located around 900 yards from the town centre and agents on behalf of the applicants say that it will be situated in close proximity to well-established and successful residential developments, making it a favourable location to develop additional housing.

“The development fabric will therefore remain consistent and will help facilitate community growth,” it was stated by the agents.

They went on to say that it is proposed the existing building on site will be retained and refurbished to serve as a crèche facility.

There are also a number of existing sheds on site, adjacent to the old house. It is proposed that these sheds are demolished and a new building provided to also serve as part of the crèche.

The remainder of the site is greenfield land, with few constraints. It is predominantly flat, with some steeper topography due to an identified esker on site, as identified in the Athenry Local Area Plan.

However, a thorough desk study research assignment prepared by Robert Meehan into eskers and their spatial complexity across Ireland was included as part of this planning application, to determine the importance of the esker noted on the site.

The results of the desk study, visual assessment and esker research were collated to assess whether or not the site could be developed as a housing development without placing the geological character of the site at risk.

Pictured: Culliarbaun House, Athenry.