Huge charity walk to Knock comes through Offaly this weekend for a worthy cause

One of Ireland's biggest charity walks is set to pass through Offaly this weekend. The annual walk created by Mary's Meals embarks on a journey to the Marian Shrine in the village of Knock in Mayo every August to fundraise to feed hungry children in some of the world's poorest communities. 

Traditionally those participating will travel over 200km from seven different starting points over a nine day period from the 7th - 15th of August. The starting locations include Donegal, Dublin, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Limerick with each route finishing together in Knock on the final day.  

The walk reaches Offaly on Saturday evening where walkers will travel from Roscrea to Birr as part of the Thurles to Knock route. The route will continue from Birr to Ferbane on Sunday starting at 9am and expected to reach their destination after the 22km trek around 4pm. The Thurles to Knock route will then depart Offaly on Monday as participants leave Ferbane for Athlone. 

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The Kilkenny to Knock route also ventures through Offaly on Sunday starting in Killeigh village at 8:30am before travelling to Clara in a 20km passage expecting to finish around 15:30 which will see the Faithful county play its part in helping to fundraise for the worthy cause. Full information on routes, start times and locations can all be found on the Mary's Meals website as they look to break down more barriers in doing their part in contributing to third world aid. 

Mary's Meals executive Director Patricia Friel was complimentary of the county's role in the walk saying "Offaly always provides such a warm welcome for our walkers, they are always so helpful in their support whether its food or accommodation, the Mary's Meals Offaly volunteers will be out with their buckets helping to collect donations over the weekend".

Patricia also spoke on the goals for this years walk commenting "we want to make sure everyone arrives to the end of the walk safely, our main target is to try and raise as much awareness for the Mary's Meals charity over the duration of the walk". 

The walk was a huge success in 2024 with Mary's Meals blue t-shirts spotted around the nation as they managed to raise €250,000 which gave school meals to over 11,000 children in their place of education for an entire year. 

Everyone is welcome to take part in the walk, those who aren't able to commit to such a long walk can support the cause in different ways such as offering accommodation and food to walkers along the route. 

People can also get involved by walking around their local communities to spread awareness of Mary's Meals, others can collect donations or act as support drivers to the walkers along the route. 

Mary's Meals are now serving over 2.6 million children every school day as part of their charity work. The walk has been renowned for creating acts of kindness and bringing communities together over the previous years as it looks to continue to carry out their vital mission in helping to feed children from some of the poorest regions of the world. Raising just €22 can feed a child in their place of education for a whole school year.