Cork family pay tribute to their late father with Strickeen mountain climb

A SILVERSPRINGS family has paid tribute to their late father by climbing Strickeen Mountain in his name while raising funds for the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF).

Michael Coffey, who was well-known in the area and had spent many years working in the financial sector, passed away suddenly last year at the age of 58.

Michael was originally from Killarney and, over the years, had maintained his ties with Kerry and had many friends from the area.

Given his Kerry connections, his family felt it would be fitting to climb Strickeen Mountain near the Gap of Dunloe in his memory.

The climb was organised by Michael’s son Jordan, who climbed the mountain alongside his partner Laura, his mother Marian, his sisters Emma and Michelle, and their partners Scott and Keith.

Michael’s grandson, Tyler, aged 11, also completed the climb on the day, making him one of the youngest people to reach the summit.

Thanks to all of the kind donations, the family raised more than €3,000 through the climb for the Irish Heart Foundation.

At a special presentation last week, they handed the fundraising cheque to Paddy O’Brien, ambassador for the foundation.

In accepting the cheque on behalf of the IHF, Mr O’Brien praised the Coffey family for their endeavours and thanked them for their generous donation to the IHF in their father’s memory.