Mayo Man's Barefoot Journey Across Europe Champions Social Causes
Mayo's Eamonn Keaveney breaks world record walking barefoot from Istanbul to Vienna, championing mental health and environmental causes on his 5,500km journey home to Ireland.
Eamonn Keaveney during his record-breaking barefoot walk across Europe, championing mental health and environmental causes
Record-Breaking Barefoot Trek from Istanbul to Ireland
Mayo native Eamonn Keaveney (33) has surpassed the existing Guinness World Record for barefoot walking, covering more than 3,409.75km on his remarkable journey from Istanbul to Vienna. The Mayo civil servant aims to complete a total distance of 5,500km before returning home to Claremorris.
Social and Environmental Mission
Keaveney's epic journey aligns with Ireland's progressive vision, raising funds for youth mental health charity Jigsaw and Friends of the Environment Ireland. His initiative highlights the growing intersection between mental health advocacy and environmental consciousness in modern Irish society.
Previous Achievements and Current Challenges
The intrepid walker is no stranger to extraordinary feats. In 2016, he set a world record by walking 2,021km barefoot around Ireland for Pieta House. His commitment to Irish social causes continued in 2023 when he achieved the fastest Mizen Head to Malin Head journey by unicycle.
"There's nothing in Ireland that can really kill you," Keaveney quipped, reflecting on his encounters with heat exhaustion, language barriers, and even a rabies shot following a dog incident during his current European trek.
Environmental and Mental Health Advocacy
The journey symbolizes the interconnection between environmental sustainability and youth mental health, addressing the anxiety many young people feel about climate change. Keaveney's choice of charities reflects a growing awareness of these dual challenges facing modern Ireland.
Van Morrison
Irish journalist exploring the intersections of politics, culture, and identity across Ireland and the wider Celtic world.