'Mammoth task' - Irishman breaks world record for longest barefoot walk

“The logical thing after walking around the country is to walk across a continent.”

Those were the words of an Irishman endeavouring to complete a 5,500-kilometer barefoot journey across the length of Europe in aid of two charities.

When The Mayo News first interviewed the Claremorris man Eamonn Keaveney in the opening days of his journey in March of this year, he had covered a total of 16 kilometres.

Now, some six months on, he has made history. On Wednesday, Eamonn surpassed the world record for the longest distance covered barefoot.

The Mayo man covered some 3,410 kilometers, beating the previous record held by Polish man Pawel Durakiewicz, who covered 3,409.75 kilometers when he walked around the Iberian peninsula in January 2024.

So far, his Herculean journey has spanned Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, and soon Austria. Now, he can take a moment to reflect, with his name in the record books, having walked the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head, and back again three times, as well as the distance from Killala to Ballindine for good measure.

READ MORE: Mayo man talks barefoot walk from Istanbul to Claremorris

However, his task is far from done. Ahead of him lies another mind-boggling 2,000 kilometres of road, with Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, England, and the Emerald Isle still to traverse without even the comfort of a pair of shoes.

It's hard to know when Eamonn will see the spire of Saint Colman's Church once again. However, one thing is for certain: when he does walk down the main street and into Ward's, that pint of Guinness will be waiting for him.

Eamonn has so far raised over €40,000 for charities since the start of his challenges. Now, with the mammoth task of making it home to Claremorris from Turkey on foot, he will be asking people to donate to two worthy causes.

The first half of his donations will go to the mental health group Jigsaw. The other half will be donated to Friends of the Earth, an environmental organisation working to create a sustainable future.

“I’m conscious of the fact that people are being asked to donate to a lot of different fundraisers,” he said. “We’re in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, so I’m chuffed with the amount so far. It’s for two really good causes.”

So far, he has raised a huge €3,205 of his €10,000 target on iDonate, and is hoping to reach his target by the end of his Herculean endeavour.

Those wishing to donate to his efforts can do so via his iDonate page here..