Up For A Moonlight Challenge?

By the light of the orangey moon…

atest press release from Glen Of Imaal Mountain Rescue, issued on Thursday, Sept 11th 2025…

Happening on Saturday, November 8th this year, the Moonlight Challenge is the main fundraiser for the Glen Of Imaal Mountain Rescue team.

Running since 2010, the challenge has become a favourite with many groups nationwide. The route varies but generally covers 25km to 29km up and over the Wicklow Mountains, and all by the light of the moon. Certainly not for the faint-hearted!

Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue are a team of volunteers who provide a professional search and rescue service, free of charge, 365 days of the year. Their rescue base, vehicles, equipment and training are all funded through a combination of grant aid, donations and fundraising events. They rely very heavily on the generosity of donors to maintain the service.

The Moonlight Challenge is fully supported by the members and friends of the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team. The route, albeit challenging in distance, is well within the reach of any person of reasonable fitness. A registration fee of €25 per person is required; this will cover our costs for event insurance etc. After that the minimum fundraising target is €75 per person.

Angela Sweeney was one of the founding members of FOG (Friends Of the Glen). She sadly passed away in 2011. To this day we still run the Moonlight Challenge in line with her vision of a fun and enjoyable event, rather than a race. Every year we present the team we feel best demonstrates this vision with the Angela Sweeney Award. All you have to remember is – have fun, enjoy the night and laugh through whatever the mountains and the weather throw’s at you.

The Moonlight Challenge is 100% run by volunteers. Which means that every Euro raised by you goes directly to the Team to help them provide this vital service in the hills.

The hike through the Wicklow Mountains begins at 3pm on Saturday, November 2025, and you can find out more – and register – here. More on Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue here.

Cover pic: Andrew Nolan