From Fossa to the Roof of the World: Frank McCarthy’s Everest Triumph

There is an old saying that no matter where you travel in the world, you are bound to find an Irish man there before you. For Fossa native Frank McCarthy, that bit of folklore became a startling reality just a couple of hundred meters from the roof of the world.

While making his final push toward the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal on May 25, McCarthy encountered a climber on his way down.
It turned out to be a Galway native now living in Seattle. The pair, who were previously acquainted, paused amidst the unforgiving altitude to briefly exchange pleasantries, much like old friends crossing paths on New Street, sharing a quick word about the mammoth task at hand before one continued upward and the other focused on a safe descent.
It was just one of several Irish connections that illuminated a gruelling, high-altitude journey. A few days prior, while resting at Camp 3, McCarthy learned that Tyrone mountaineer Robert Kelso Smith, one of the most experienced Irish climbers to ever tackle Everest, was in the camp zone.

Sticking his head out of his tent, the Kerry man yelled into the thin, frozen air: “Up the Kingdom!” From across the quiet mountain edge, a booming reply echoed back: “For f**k sake, you can’t escape a Kerry man!”

The Simulated Mountain in Dubai

Now back in his Dubai apartment where he has lived for many years, normality is slowly returning for the Killarney native, though the scale of his historic achievement is still sinking in. Standing atop the 8,848-meter peak, McCarthy officially became the youngest-ever Kerry native to conquer Mount Everest.
The monumental expedition, however, came together almost by chance. Back in 2013, McCarthy scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, sparking a long-term fascination with the ‘Seven Summits” the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Earlier this year, he climbed Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania.
While on a leave of absence from work during that Oceania trip, his expedition leader was Garrett Madison, one of the world’s most accomplished Everest guides with over ten successful summits to his name.
Madison convinced McCarthy that he possessed the physical and mental resilience required for Everest. With a narrow two-month window to prepare for a rapid-ascent expedition, the Fossa man went into hyper-focus.
Part of that rigorous preparation included living out of a specialised hypoxic tent pitched directly inside his Dubai apartment bedroom for over a month. The tent gradually reduced oxygen levels over the weeks to simulate extreme altitude, forcing his body to acclimatise before he even set foot in Nepal.
“I had to ask myself each day: Have I eaten? How many calories did I take in?” McCarthy recalled, reflecting on his meticulous routine. “It required single-minded, almost selfish focus. But I knew that without that preparation work, I wouldn’t be ready.”

The Numbing Reality of the Summit

Passing the frozen bodies of failed attempts along the route served as a sobering reminder of the mountain’s stakes. Rather than deterring him, it forced a state of hyper-vigilance.
When he finally stepped onto the highest point on earth in the early hours of May 25, the moment brought more relief than celebration.
“The job is only half done, focus switches almost immediately to a safe descent he said. “It is worse on the way down, you can see the drops.”
The descent proved even more demanding, requiring a constant check of harnesses and belts every few paces while staring down steep precipices.
Yet, as the air grew thicker with every downward step, McCarthy felt his cognitive abilities and physical strength rapidly reinvigorate.
The Long Road to Normality
By the time he returned to Base Camp, the physical toll was stark. The gruelling 32-day rapid expedition had cost the former Fossa GAA senior player 13kg in body weight.
“It’s almost like an exaggerated feeling of jet lag , my sleep is still disrupted,” he said
Now, having traded minus-degree mountain gales for the 40-degree heat of Dubai, McCarthy is slowly readjusting to regular life, though he jokes that a few pints of Guinness will be required on his next trip back to Kerry to help restore the lost weight.
“Without looking at the footage and photos, I’d nearly struggle to believe it actually happened myself,” he laughed.

An air of profound sadness fell over Killarney over the weekend and early into the week as news emerged of the passing of Sarah “Susie” Egan, of Coolick, Kilcummin.

Sarah passed away peacefully on May 27, surrounded by her loving family in the care of the Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry.

Her passing leaves an immeasurable void across the entire community, where she spent her life nurturing, teaching, and bringing immense joy to generations of children.

She was laid to rest on Monday morning following a deeply moving Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, with the town and her many colleagues coming together to bid farewell to a uniquely beautiful soul.

A legacy of love at Holy Cross Mercy
Margaret Reen and the staff at Holy Cross Mercy Early Years and School Age Service, together with the wider school community, were plunged into sadness by the loss of their much-loved colleague and friend.

Sarah joined the service in 2021 and quickly became a valued and cherished member of the close-knit team.

From the outset, her dedication, creativity, and natural ability shone through in everything she did.

She brought imagination, enthusiasm, and an exceptional eye for detail to her work, enriching the experiences of the children in her care.

Through her artistic flair, countless children created personalised artwork and crafts that remain treasured keepsakes for families to this day.

Sarah took great pride in helping children express themselves creatively and in making every activity meaningful and memorable.

She also had a remarkable ability to connect with children of all ages, whether in Preschool, Afterschool, or Homework Club.

Deeply committed to helping every child reach their full potential, Sarah had a gift for making each child feel valued, supported, and understood.

Her patience, kindness, and encouragement left a lasting impression on the many young lives she touched.

While Sarah was gentle and quiet by nature, those who knew her best also appreciated her roguish and sometimes mischievous sense of humour.

She loved sharing laughter and light-hearted banter with colleagues, parents, and children alike, bringing warmth and joy to everyday moments.

Remembered by the school community

For her colleagues, Sarah was far more than a co-worker; she was a trusted friend, a valued teammate, and an integral part of their work family.

Her loss is deeply felt, but she is remembered with immense affection, gratitude, and admiration.

The staff remain thankful for the time they shared with her and for the lasting impression she leaves within both the Early Years Service and the wider school community.

On behalf of the broader school community, Alice Davern, Principal of Holy Cross Mercy School, shared a poignant tribute:
“It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Sarah Egan, a valued and much-loved member of the Holy Cross Mercy Pre-School and After-School Service team. Sarah worked closely with many of our pupils through the preschool and Afterschool services, becoming a familiar and much-loved presence in the lives of so many children and families within our school community. She brought kindness, warmth and compassion to her work each day and had a natural gift for connecting with children. Sarah was gentle, thoughtful and creative, and her quiet generosity touched the lives of all who knew her. Sarah was deeply respected and greatly appreciated by all in the Holy Cross Mercy School community and her positive influence will be remembered with great fondness by all.”

As a mark of respect, staff and management of the Early Years and School Age Service, joined by numerous colleagues from the main school, parents, and children, formed a Guard of Honour through the Cathedral grounds and the town as Sarah made her final journey.

Sixteen years of smiles at the Aquila

Before and alongside her time at the Mercy, Sarah was a cornerstone of the team at the Aquila Club. Eoin Horgan, Gleneagle Leisure Manager, shared a heartfelt tribute to the lasting impact she made as a swimming instructor:
“Our Sarah was the most beautiful soul we ever had the privilege to know—beautiful not only in appearance, but in the kindness, warmth and love she gave so freely to everyone around her. She devoted 16 years of her life in the Aquila to the children of Killarney and the wider county, teaching generations not only how to swim, but how to believe in themselves and dream big. The care, patience and encouragement she showed to every child she taught and looked after will never be forgotten. She left her mark on so many young lives, and every one of those children was better for having known her. Sarah was adored by all of us here and by all of our customers. Her smile, her presence and the way she made everyone feel special brought joy wherever she went. She was truly one of a kind, and the loss we all feel is immeasurable. While our hearts are broken, we can take solace in knowing that what we have lost heaven has gained… a truly beautiful person, inside and out. Goodbye Susie.”

A devoted daughter and sister

Sarah’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her photograph now hangs proudly in the preschool corridor, serving as a lasting reminder of her invaluable contribution and the difference she made to the children, families, and colleagues whose lives she touched.

In the weeks ahead, Sarah’s absence will be felt profoundly, particularly as Preschool Graduation approaches. Graduation Day was always one of the highlights of the preschool year for Sarah.

She devoted countless hours of thought, planning, creativity, and energy to making the occasion a special and memorable celebration for every child and family.

This year, as the children mark that important milestone, Sarah will be greatly missed, yet her influence and the love she invested in each child’s journey will remain very much a part of the day.

Sarah is deeply loved and sadly missed by her heartbroken parents, John and Bridget; her loving sister, Stephanie; and her brothers, Chris, Mark, and Darragh. She is also mourned by her sister-in-law, Sarah; brother-in-law, Daithí; her aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, friends, and her loyal companion, Teddy.

Sarah spoke often and lovingly about her family, and her face would light up whenever she talked about her adored nieces and nephews: Jack, Oisín, Isabelle, A.J., Daisy, and baby Fionn.