Shannon Airport waves mountain climber off on trip of a lifetime

A QUEST to climb seven of the highest summits in the world is what one man is doing in aid of charity.

To get him there, Shannon Airport supported the mountain climbing enthusiast to raise funds for the Laura Lynn Hospice, a charity which provides palliative care for children. 

Andy Nolan is originally from Charleville, Co Cork, but has lived in Tipperary for many years. He is now taking on his fifth of seven highest mountains in the world in Australia, which he flew to from Shannon Airport. 

“It always puts a smile on my face if I can start any of these trips from Shannon Airport – hassle free, quick and friendly every time!,” he said. 

“Within every challenge lies the opportunity to try and improve your own physical and mental resilience and it is also very important to me that I can give back to my community, raising vital funds for charity during these expeditions.”

Shannon Airport recently welcomed Andy as he embarked on a trip of a lifetime to climb Mount Kosciuszko, mainland Australia’s tallest mountain. 

Mount Kosciuszko will be Andy’s fifth of the seven peaks, having already successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus on the Europe and Russian border, Mount Aconcagua in South America and Mount Denali, Alaska. 

Although Kosciusko is considered the easiest of the seven summits, his Australian feat will present challenges for Andy, who broke both his right ankle and leg last June.

After Mount Kosciuszko, Andy will set his sights on completing the final two summits, Mount Vinson in Antarctica and Mount Everest in Nepal. 

Niall Kearns, airport director, said: “We were delighted to welcome Andy to Shannon Airport. 

“The airport has long been a gateway to adventure, and it was an honour to send Andy off on what is yet another trip of a lifetime for him and indeed, a most worthwhile charitable cause.”