Charity Photography | Croke Park Abseil for Plan International Ireland

Lensmen were recently photographing at the Abseil in Croke Park, which was run by the Charity Plan International Ireland, when a family of five arrived from Collins Building & Steeplejacks, a company in Co. Clare. Only the three daughters had booked for the event. However, on seeing them harnessed with the 85 other participants, the mother, Dr Angela Collins O’Mahony, Ireland’s first female steeplejack, aged 75 and retired, and who had not climbed for almost thirty years but experiencing the great welcome and buzz of excitement was sorry she had come in a dress. Seeing her predicament, our own Susan Kennedy offered Angela her jackets, and she changed and expressed sheer delight in joining her daughters, Hilda, a classical violinist; Martina, a solicitor and Susan, who runs the family business with her brother John. Angela’s husband, John, just watched from the sideline as it was for girls only.

Angela’s comments about the day were that it had changed her life. She told us she was a retired grandmother and was resigned to being old and tired. Still, seeing the enthusiasm and the friendliness courtesy of all in Plan International Ireland, she decided after completing the Abseil that she would do more of it and organise some down in Limerick and Clare for the Charity as funds are badly needed.

Angela worked as a steeplejack since she was 17 years old and had her own Collins Steeplejacks business, where she climbed most chimneys and churches in Ireland, including the ESB station in Ringsend and has been awarded many notable awards. She found the event at Croke Park exhilarating and fun, and took her out of retirement.