You may have heard some talk of a ‘hard border’ over the past few months. If you haven’t, go back to sleep in your hermit’s hut on Mars, writes Stuart Gilhooly.

I thought I’d heard more than enough of it, but then Brian McMullin phoned me with the germ of an idea to pit solicitors from both sides of the border against each other, in an Ironman triathlon.

After giving my tentative support, I thought I’d never hear of it again. But, no – Brian is a determined man who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

And so, it has come to fruition. Thanks to sponsorship from Thread Legal by Expd8, O’Leary Insurances, and Willis Towers Watson, this show is about to hit the road. And the sea.

Early start

Taking place on 17 May, with an early start, it will commence in Lough Melvin, Co Leitrim, and finish at Blackhall Place, Dublin. Ivan Feran from the South, and the North’s Peter Jack will swim 3.86km, before handing the baton to me and Darren Toombs of the North for a 180km cycle (after which the ‘Toombstone’ is likely to be mine!).

The race will finish with a marathon from Maynooth to Blackhall Place, where Brian McMullin, up against the North’s Adam Wood, will attempt to make up my deficit.

Three provinces

The triathlon will encompass three provinces, six counties, and at least six border crossings, so hopefully Brexit can be delayed a little longer!

We are raising money for this event, and all proceeds will go the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association. There, but for the grace of God, go us all. Please give generously if you can.

Donations may be made by contacting Stuart at stuart.gilhooly@hjward.ie, Brian at bmcmullin@brianjmcmullin.com, or Ivan at ivanferan@feran.ie.