Irish rugby legend Rory Best is calling on Ireland’s agri-business leaders to join him for his third Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge in aid of Cancer Fund for Children.
Cancer Fund for Children is an all-island charity that provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children, young people and families impacted by cancer.
From September 12-20, Best will captain a team of business leaders to walk nine marathons in nine days, covering 235 miles throughout Ireland.
Each participant will walk around 50,000 steps daily across Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick, and Galway before finishing Cong, Co. Mayo.
This is the third chapter in a trilogy of fundraising walks created by the former Ireland and Ulster rugby captain for Cancer Fund for Children.
Speaking at the launch in Dublin today (Thursday, March 5), Best said: “Every Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge has been incredibly special and humbling, inspired by Cancer Fund for Children’s ambition to build a second therapeutic short break centre called Daisy Lodge on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, Co. Mayo.
“Across the last five years, I have seen this vision come to life, and this year’s challenge carries even more weight as Daisy Lodge is currently being built and is set to open in spring 2027.”
Best described how it has been a “privilege” for him to turn the sod on the Daisy Lodge site and to “see it go from an empty space full of potential to a working construction site, and finally to a safe space for families”.
“I can’t wait to finish my walk there once again, this time with a team of inspirational business leaders by my side,” Best said.
Arachas Corporate Brokers and Kingsbridge Healthcare Group have jumped onboard as sponsors for Rory’s inspirational charity walk.
Miles to Mayo
In 2021, Rory completed his first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, walking 180 miles from Cancer Fund for Children’s first Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down to the site of their second centre in Cong, Co. Mayo, raising over €1 million.
The second Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge in 2023 saw Best walking 220 miles from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Cong, raising €1.5 million, breaking ground on the new Daisy Lodge on arrival.
In 2025, Best’s mantle was taken on by a team of business leaders who took on the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge, climbing the highest peak in every county across the island of Ireland and raising over €1.8 million.
Founder of Keogh’s Farm Tom Keogh, an agri-business leader who has already signed up for September’s Rory’s Miles to Mayo walk, said: “I took part in the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge last year and was completely blown away by the experience.
“It was incredible to come together with other business leaders, to put our physical and mental endurance to the test and to raise vital funds for families across the island of Ireland who are navigating the unimaginable hardship of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
“I’m proud and excited to be stepping away from the farm once again this year, this time with Rory Best on his Miles to Mayo – The Trilogy challenge.”
This year, both campaigns will come together for ‘Rory’s Miles to Mayo – The Trilogy’.
