This September, Galway native John Crehan will take on the extraordinary challenge of walking almost 1,300km (807 miles) across all 32 counties of Ireland in approximately 40 days, to raise awareness and vital funds for prostate cancer awareness.

John, 63, who now lives in Rickmansworth, will be joined by friends, family and colleagues as he treks across Ireland and Northern Ireland in an attempt to raise awareness of prostate cancer. The challenge will begin in Kiltimagh, Mayo, on 12 September, in honour of the recent centurion, John Garvey – John’s father-in-law. The epic walk will conclude in his family’s hometown of Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Galway on 24 October, in Broderick’s Bar.

1,299km across the 32 counties

Starting in Kiltimagh, John will begin with a 40km walk northeast into Sligo, before heading east to Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim.

In the first week, he’ll pass through Longford and Cavan before crossing into Fermanagh via the Stairway to Heaven. From there, he’ll continue north into Enniskillen, walk around Lough Erne and head towards Pettigo, Donegal – covering 190km in just seven days.

Week two will see John walk almost 300km, heading northeast through Donegal and into Northern Ireland to complete Tyrone, Derry, Armagh, Down, and Antrim.

Turning south, he’ll pass through Louth, Monaghan, Meath and Westmeath, before continuing through Offaly, Laois and Kildare. From there, he’ll head east into Dublin, reaching the halfway mark at 633km.

John will then tackle the 120km Wicklow Way national trail over four days, passing through Wicklow, Carlow, and Wexford.

On day 24, he’ll enter Kilkenny and head west into Tipperary, following the River Suir to Clonmel before moving south into Waterford. He’ll join the East Munster Way, continuing west into Cork, then follow The Avondhu Way toward Brosna, a small village in Kerry.

The final stretch – a mere 185km – will take John through Kerry and Limerick, then north into Clare. After navigating Mount Moylussa and the Cappaghabaun Mountains, he’ll enter his home county of Galway. The final 50km through southeast Galway will bring him to the finish line in Timmy Broderick’s on 24 October.