South Eastern Mountain Rescue

28/08/2026

We’ve got a big September ahead!
To welcome the Ave Maria students to Mount Melleray, we will run a 12km woodland walk to introduce them to this beautiful place and we want you to come with us!
The Short Way Round will raise funds for South Eastern Mountain Rescue and the Newcastle First Responders and is a St. Declan's Way, Knockmealdown Active and Ave Maria University collaboration 🙌
Buy tickets online
https://buytickets.at/stdeclansway/2379668

📍Registration in Melleray Hall from 10am, departure 11am
📍Tickets can be bought in advance (€20 plus booking fee) or on the day with cash or card.

28/08/2026

Looking forward to this, it’s always a great day out

14/08/2026

Call received at 15:07 today from An Garda Síochána to assist a walker with a lower leg injury on the Boolas loop in the Comeraghs. Team members made their way to the RV and the first group were on the way to the walkers location by 16:28 carrying the stretcher and other essential equipment. The injured leg was splinted and the casualty placed onto the stretcher. The wheel was used on the stretcher on this occasion as the track is narrow and difficult to fit people either side of it. It is a very useful piece of kit when the terrain allows. The casualty was transferred over to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and stand down issued at 18:55, everyone safely off the hill.

14/08/2026

09/08/2026

Father and Daughter undertake One Million Steps challenges for Mountain Rescue Ireland

Father and daughter, Wojciech and Kaja Wisniewska (12) from Shannon, Co Clare, are taking on a One Million Step challenge in Main Beskid Trail, one of Poland’s longest mountain trails, to raise funds for Mountain Rescue Ireland.

Over 21 days, from 26 July to 15 August 2026, Wojciech and Kaja will cover 519 kilometres, carrying everything they need for the duration of the challenge. They have spent the past year preparing for this demanding journey. The inspiration to raise funds for Mountain Rescue Ireland came in June, after Kaja became the youngest person ever to attempt the Galtee Mountains Challenge and successfully completed the Short Galtee Mountains Challenge.

As active hikers, Wojciech and Kaja recognise the importance of mountain safety and the valuable service provided by Mountain Rescue Teams. It is for this reason that they have selected Mountain Rescue Ireland as their charity for their latest challenge.

Mountain Rescue Ireland is the representative body for 11 Mountain Rescue Teams across the island of Ireland. The Teams are 100% volunteer led and provide a search and rescue service 24/7, 365 days a year. They provide assistance to injured or lost walkers and climbers in mountainous and remote areas, often in difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain.

Speaking about the challenge and appreciation of being selected as the chosen charity, Derry Cullen, Chair of Mountain Rescue Ireland, said:

“We are delighted that Wojciech and Kaja have decided to raise funds for Mountain Rescue Ireland as they complete this exceptional challenge. Mountain Rescue Ireland is 100% volunteer led and we rely on kind donations from the public and fundraising efforts such as this to enable us to continue to provide this vital service throughout Ireland.

It is great that, thought the challenge, Wojciech and Kaja will also be helping to raise awareness of the service we provide and the importance of being prepared to ensure you can stay safe while outdoors exploring our beautiful countryside.

On behalf of everyone in Mountain Rescue Ireland, I would like to wish Wojciech and Kaja a successful and safe challenge.”

Ahead of the challenge, Wojciech and Kaja said:

Wojciech: “Hiking is a passion we share, and it’s something that strengthens the bond between us: father and daughter. Every time we head into the Irish mountains, we feel safe knowing that Mountain Rescue teams are there if things go wrong. We were reminded of that even more during our recent challenge in the Galtee Mountains, when the weather changed suddenly and dramatically. Knowing Mountain Rescue Ireland was ready to help if needed gave us real peace of mind. Ireland is our home, and we’re grateful for the chance to support an organisation as vital as MRI”.

Kaja: “My goal is to complete over one million steps in 21 days, and I’m driven by one big dream: to raise one Euro for every step in support of what I like to call the ‘Mountain Angels’ - the Mountain Rescue volunteers who are always there for me and for everyone who hikes in Ireland when help is needed.”

To follow Wojciech and Kaja’s journey or contact them directly, visit 2 Souls 1 Passion on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more on Mountain Rescue Ireland, visit www.mountainrescue.ie or follow us on Facebook. To donate visit https://gofund.me/52b0f9db8.

02/08/2026

Call received at 15:38 today from An Garda Síochána to assist a walker with a lower leg injury above Mahon Falls. Team members made their way to Mahon Falls car park and the first two on scene made their way directly to the walkers location. The injury was assessed and a vacuum splint placed on their leg. Rescue 117 was requested but they were diverted to another call. Team members began assembling the equipment to carry up to the walkers location when R117 made contact to say they were had completed their tasking and could respond to Mahon Falls. The casualty was winched into the heli and then the two SEMRA members and companion were taken on board. R117 very kindly dropped the SEMRA members back down to the car park, saving them a long walk back and we could all head for home earlier. Stand down issued at 18:37 everyone safely off the hill and the casualty on the way to Waterford.

28/07/2026

On Sunday evening just as everyone had returned home from the call out to Coumshingaun SEMRA received a call from An Garda Síochána shortly before 9pm. A walker who had headed for Galtee Mor earlier in the day hadn’t returned and couldn’t be contacted and their car was still at the trail head. Team members and Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland) responded to the Black Road car park and began the search. Tipperary Civil Defence also responded with a drone team. Unfortunately due to the low cloud and poor visibility the Coast Guard helicopter was unable to help. The guards drove over to Kings Yard and to Cush car park to check in case the walker had made their way down to either of those locations. Team members and 2 SARDA search dog teams searched various parts of the mountain, the most common places for lost walkers to end up. The drone team did a test flight at the cairn but the wind was too strong. Just after midnight, search dog Ziggy with handler Mick indicated on some steep ground and a hat and walking pole were found. The location of the items changed the focus of the search. Everyone returned to the Black Rd car park and relocated over to Cush car park. The focus of the search was now on Lough Diheen, in the dark and mist it was too dangerous to try and search down to the lake from the top, the ground was too steep. Team members began the walk into Lough Diheen at approx 3am and began searching the area. The Civil Defence drone team were able to fly the drone into the lake but due to the heavy mist and fog visibility was very poor. Shortly before 6am the walker was found, sadly deceased. Two team members remained with them while the rest returned to the car park to bring in the stretcher and heights gear needed. At 11am the stand down was issued. The deceased had been carried off the hill to waiting family and transferred to the care of the undertaker. Team members, SARDA and Civil Defence worked through the night to find the walker, but it was a sad outcome. Our thoughts are with the family at such a tragic time.

27/07/2026

Sunday was a busy day for SEMRA. 11 team members were in Mayo for Reek Sunday. Mountain Rescue teams from all over Ireland join Mayo Mountain Rescue to help out. As always, the Mayo team did an amazing job organising all the teams to make sure the Reek Sunday Pilgrims were watched over. Thank you to Mayo for your wonderful hospitality & congratulations on the big win.

Meanwhile back in the sunny South East, a call was received from An Garda Síochána at 16:39 to assist a fallen walker in Coumshingaun with a lower leg injury. Team members made their way to Kilclooney and began making their way up to the walkers’ location. We were sad to see smoke from wildfires pouring over the hill towards Coumshingaun. Rescue 117 was on a training flight in the area. Contact was made with the Coast Guard to request their assistance. Team members placed a vacuum splint on the injured walkers leg and R117 lowered a winchman to the site while R117 returned to base to refuel. The injured walker was winched into the helicopter and on the way to Waterford for onward transfer to hospital at 18:30. Stand down issued at 18:44, everyone safely off the hill and returning home