Leixlip Town Council has paid tribute to the fund-raising work of local man Ian Taylor who, in May, became one of the youngest Irish people to reach the top of Mount Everest.
The 29 year attended last week’s meeting of Leixlip Town Council with hi
s parents, Hubert and Heather, to enable the Council to mark his achievement with the presentation of the town crest by new Town Council chairperson, Colm Purcell.
Cllr. Purcell said that less than twenty Irish people and under 2,000 overall have reached the peak of Everest.
“Amazing feat,” said Cllr. Bernard Caldwell. “Mind boggling,” said Cllr. Kevin O’Connor. “A staggering achievement and we want to convey our sense of pride,” said Cllr. Paul Kelly. “I am delighted. The highest I’ve gone is up the Captain’s Hill and Silleachain Lane,” said Cllr. Sean Purcell. “Croagh Patrick was my peak,” added Mayo man, Cllr. Shane Fitzgerald.
Ian described the difficulties he encountered on Everest, which included having to pass dead bodies and help another climber avoid death. “You’re not prepared to see bodies,” he said.
The young Leixlip man remained on the top of Everest for 37 minutes before starting the difficult climb down to base camp.
He still wonders is he should have done it at all with all its dangers. “Two people went up the same day as I did and did not come back,” said Ian, who had to pay a $10,000 licence fee to the Nepal government before starting the climb.
Town Manager, Peter Minnock, recalled that everyone had their own Everests to climb in their private and public lives. “Your success was one in which everyone wanted to share.”
Ian Taylor did not just set out to climb Everest. Along with a friend, Graham Kinch, who did not make it to the top, he set out to raise funds for a school in Uganda. That project needs n80,500 and so far, with the help of his family, the pair have collected over n44,000.
The good news is that part of that school building project will begin this month and the aim is to have an eight room school.
Speaking to Town Councillors, Ian paid tribute to the work of his parents in the project, and outlined the fundraising activities still planned.
Among these are a talk and slide show on 24 July in 53 Degrees North premise in Carrickmines and a sky dive in August via the Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. They also hope to raise n15,000 from a gig in Clontarf.
