The walk was launched by Ireland's famed mountaineer, Terence 'Banjo' Bannon; Sinn Féin MP and Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy; and Conor McGinn from the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain.
Banjo Bannon, who conquered Everest in 2003, said he was delighted to be associated with the event: "Christmas is a time for family, friends and togetherness and it's great that the community here is showing that they care for all those who are away from home this year. Having lived in the USA for a time myself, I know what it's like to miss home at Christmas. I'm delighted to be involved in an event which allows us, in our own way, to remember all of the Irish emigrants this Christmas, particularly those from our own area of Newry and South Armagh."
Sliabh gCuircin, known locally as Camlough Mountain, is 423 metres in height and provides breathtaking views over the local villages of Camlough and Bessbrok, as well as the city of Newry. The mountain was occupied by the British Army and used as a base for a military watchtower until 2007. Earlier this year, Camlough was at the centre of a World Record breaking achievement as the record for longest continuous relay for swimming in open water was set over 10 days in the nearby lake.
Conor Murphy MP, who lives in the village of Camlough, said "So many of the undocumented Irish in the USA have lived there for many years and, like generations of previous Irish emigrants, they work hard, raise families and make an important contribution to the economic and social life of their communities. Despite this, they live in the shadows of society with fear and uncertainty as their constant companions. Many suffer greatly from the pain of not being able to travel to and from Ireland because of the difficulties of re-entry. The plight of the thousands of Irish undocumented working and living in USA will be close to the hearts of people in Ireland this Christmas."
Conor McGinn, who works for the London-based Irish Chaplaincy in Britain (ICB) and is originally from Camlough, said "This is a great idea and a fantastic way of letting Irish people away from home this Christmas know that they are thought about and missed. Many of those the ICB support, particular older Irish people, find Christmas a very lonely and difficult times. It's nice that the work of organisations like the ICB is recognised at home and we are very grateful for all the support we receive. On a personal level it's both humbling and moving that people from my own village are thinking about those of us away from home this Christmas in such a sincere and caring way."
The climb will end with the planning of an ash tree at the top of the mountain so that all those who visit it during the year will be reminded of all the Irish emigrants throughout the world.
Picture: launching the Christmas morning walk in the shadow of Sliabh gCuircin is (l-r) Conor McGinn, Conor Murphy, Banjo Bannon and organisers Des Murphy, Declan Murphy and Cllr Pat McGinn.