Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition success

Wednesday May 3rd 2023

Setting out on day two of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition are, from left: Anna-Grace Donnelly, Leah Service, and from Craigs Parish Church, Abigail Halligan and Joel Roxborough.

Two young people from Craigs Parish Church were among a group of four from Cullybackey who recently completed their Qualifying Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition, hiking from Binevenagh to Dunservick Castle.

The North Coast weather proved a mixed bag for Craigs parishioners Joel Roxborough and Abigail Halligan, along with fellow expeditioners Anna-Grace Donnelly and Leah Service.

Their four-day expedition took them through the beautiful but somewhat mucky Binevenagh which overlooks Magilligan, then covered more of the Keenaght Hills along the edge of the Antrim Plateau taking in many coastal spots along the picturesque North Coast, such as Castlerock, Portstewart and Ballintoy, finishing at ancient royal site of the Dal Riada Gaelic Kingdom, Dunservick Castle, Co Antrim.

The sun did make a few guest appearances, but the rain and wind were never too far away.

These four young people have had made lifelong friendships and all would like to travel together to Buckingham Palace to receive their well-earned awards in this Coronation Year!

After giving a presentation on their four-day North Coast expedition at Cullybackey College are: Back row, Joel Roxborough (from Craigs Parish Church) Anna-Grace Donnelly, front row Abigail Halligan (Craigs Parish Church, left) and Leah Service.