Link-up with 50 Miles Challenge in January a unique opportunity for Leitrim County Council

The 50 Miles in January Challenge may primarily be a fundraiser for Leitrim GAA & LGFA but for Leitrim County Council, the challenge is a unique opportunity to showcase the county on a business and tourism level but also to connect with Leitrim’s diaspora all over the world according to Chief Executive Officer Joseph Gilhooly.

Speaking at the event last Wednesday in the Carrick Business Campus, Joseph stressed the importance of the event on a much wider level than simply a fundraising vehicle: “We're delighted to be able to be part of the partnership but it's a great partnership from the Leitrim County Council perspective. Obviously the GAA have a wide diaspora and joining forces with the two organisations made a lot of sense to us in order to be able to reach that diaspora and help Leitrim connect stronger with the diaspora and look at it from an investment in the future.

"So we're delighted to be here this evening for another launch of the 50 mile challenge and to be involved again with the both boards.”

The long serving official calls the Council’s link-up with the Challenge a ‘no-brainer’ as he believes the 50 Miles in January Challenge extols what the county has to offer: “It certainly is a unique opportunity and it showcases a lot of what the county has to offer. Without us ever been involved in the first editions of the challenge, the 50 Miles in January Challenge showcased a lot of what the county had to offer so when we were in contact with the GAA on us collaborating on it  was really a no-brainer for us because it was doing all that showcasing the tourism, the countryside of Leitrim, the recreational opportunities.

“But it also showcases the level of interest of Leitrim people abroad and the interest that that generated for the Leitrim diaspora, the Leitrim connections across the world was fantastic and fantastic for us to be able to promote the county into those areas.”

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For Joseph, the Challenge is just one of a number of projects where the Council seeks to link-up with local communities throughout the county: “We're very fortunate to have such a strong community interest in the county but, at Leitrim County Council, I think we engage very well with communities.

“We appreciate the importance of working with communities and, by us working together, we can make such a difference for the county. If you only take the recent experience at the Tidy Towns National Award for Carrick-on-Shannon, seeing what the Tidy Towns volunteers have done, how the council can support that, how the council can reinvest in the public realm in the new areas such as down at the marina.

“When you bring all that together and harness all of the various resources to work towards a common vision and a common goal, it really is significant the outcomes that can be achieved for the county.”

The pride in the county and community spirit on display in the  Challenge is something Joseph is not surprised by: “It's the same community spirit you know we're well familiar with the community spirit here at Leitrim and the hard work community groups do, their dedication to the county. 

“You can just see the same spirit with people who are living abroad and with modern communications and social media, it makes everything so much smaller and to be able to get the message of Leitrim so strong in other locations and bringing on our ambassadors to tell the story of Leitrim and whatever their engagement with the county is living here, having a business here, has been hugely beneficial as well.”

And his message for Leitrim people all over the world? “Get your walking shoes on in January! Wait to have the dinner first on Christmas Day and get going then and see what you can make of it.”

The 50 Miles in January Challenge is helping tell the story of Leitrim said Leitrim County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Farrell at the launch last Wednesday: “The initiative has grown into a much-loved tradition that brings people together; a campaign that blends health, sport, community, and pride in county Leitrim.”

Highlighting the link between the Council and the sporting bodies, Cllr Farrell said “Leitrim County Council is proud to partner with Leitrim GAA and LGFA once again on the challenge to create something that goes far beyond fundraising. Together, we are building a platform that promotes Leitrim as a county of opportunity - a place to live, to work, to invest in, and of course, to visit and enjoy.”

He also stressed the importance of the event for Leitrim’s diaspora: “The 50 Miles Challenge is more than a local event. It is a global connection. From Cloone to Chicago, Leitrim people have walked and run their miles in London, New York, Sydney, and beyond. With the forthcoming Leitrim Diaspora Strategy 2026–2030 on the horizon, this challenge reflects the spirit of that vision. Our diaspora is not just part of our past - they are part of our future, and the 50 miles challenge is a way to keep those bonds strong.

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“Tourism remains a cornerstone of our vision. Our landscapes, Blueways, and Greenways are treasures that draw visitors from near and far. But tonight, we also celebrate Leitrim as a county that is open for business and innovation.”

Cllr Farrell encouraged everyone to rediscover the beauty and treasures the county has to offer: “For visitors, the challenge is an invitation to discover Leitrim. For locals, it is a chance to rediscover what is on our doorstep. And for our partners - the GAA and LGFA, and for each of the ambassadors involved - it is an opportunity to showcase Leitrim as vibrant, creative, and full of potential.

“This year’s theme - Run, Walk, Connect - says it all. We run and walk for our health, for our clubs, and for our county. And we connect - with each other, with our heritage, and with Leitrim people near and far.”

Concluding his remarks in the Carrick Business Campus, Cllr Farrell said “As Cathaoirleach, I want to commend the organisers, the ambassadors, and every participant who will take part; you are helping to tell the story of Leitrim - a story of partnership, progress, and pride.”