Four year old Oakley Leacy may be the youngest person ever to climb Carrauntoohill

 On Sunday the 13th of July, Oakley, his brother Lochlan, parents Myles and Kimberly and their extended family climbed Ireland’s highest peak. 

Oakley and Lochan were born in Auckland, New Zealand. Their parents met in Carrigaline as childhood friends and found themselves living on the other side of the world where the boys were born. 

In New Zealand, they would often spend time hiking and seeking adventures. Before returning to Ireland to live earlier this year, they completed a four day track on one of the “great walks” in New Zealand. 

Lochlan and Oakley enjoying a well-earned break on one of their hikes.

“With that background I was comfortable with bringing the boys up to the summit, I knew Lochlan, the eldest, would be able for it where as I had assumed that at some point I would need to help Oakley, the youngest, with his climb to the summit however to my surprise, he submitted it himself! To say that I was impressed and proud doesn't come close to covering it.” dad Myles told The Carrigdhoun. 

They took the devils ladder route up, and the zig zags down covering a total of 15km over a 6 hour round trip. 

Both Oakley and Lochlan  completed the challenging ascent entirely on their own two feet. Without being carried or physically assisted by adults, they tackled the climb with nothing but their own energy, plenty of snacks, engaging conversations, and the encouragement of family members and supportive fellow hikers.

It is now believed Oakley is the youngest person to have ever climbed to the summit, beating the record set by a 6 year old in 2018. 

Oakley and Lochlan pictured at the summit of Carrauntoohil with members of their family