Cork-born Lelia Doolan, 91, to walk from Shannon to Dublin in protest over US military use of airport
Lelia Doolan will cover 15km a day as part of the journey, which she estimates will take 16 days to complete. Picture Chani Anderson
Almost two years after jumping out of an aeroplane to mark her 90th birthday, Cork-born Lelia Doolan is showing that conscientious protest is not just the preserve of the young.
The near 92-year-old film producer will begin walking from Shannon Airport to Leinster House on March 31 in protest at the use of Shannon Airport as a transit point for the US military.
Read More
Lelia, who lives in Galway, is covering 15km a day as part of the journey, which she estimates will take 16 days to complete.
The first female artistic director of the Abbey Theatre has received several accommodation offers from people lending their support.
“The only alternative was climbing over the fence at Shannon Airport,” she told the .
“I felt I was too old for that, but I knew there had to be another way of raising awareness.”
The founder of the Galway Film Fleadh says she is determined to succeed.
“I’m getting in between 6km and 10km a day, so I’m relatively limber. It doesn’t matter if I have to be carried a bit of the way, I’ll still reach Dáil Éireann regardless.
"I can’t say how fit I am yet, but we’ll soon find out. Needless to say, I’ll be welcoming everyone along the way.”
Lelia was keen to do something to make a difference before she turns 92 on May 7.
For decades, Shannon Airport has hosted US military planes, sparking protests, legal battles, and questions about Ireland’s neutrality.
“This is something I feel very strongly about. I want to show what a dangerous place Shannon Airport is in terms of our neutrality. Because our government refuse to search the planes, we have no idea what cargo they are carrying.
"For the last while, there have been planes refuelling in Shannon before flying on to destinations, some of which are in Europe, but many that are in the Middle East.
"I’m afraid that what is happening is making us dangerously complicit in the deaths of women and children. We are seeing upheaval everywhere from Gaza, Ukraine, the West Bank, and Sudan.”
Earlier this month, the Government was called urged to ban the US military from using Shannon Airport as a stopover point en route to the Middle East.
Senator Patricia Stephenson, the Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokeswoman, called on the Government to give a “categoric commitment” on the issue, citing Spain’s decision to ban US military operations in Spanish territory, with the country’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez saying the war is unjustified.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said it is “clear” Ireland should follow the lead of Spain and ban the US from using Irish airports.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said all foreign military and state aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in the State, require diplomatic clearance.
“Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
“This policy is well known and fully understood by the US and other international partners," it said.
However, Lelia said she has seen too much devastation caused by wars, apartheid and genocide in her lifetime to sit back and do nothing.
“What’s wrong with men that they are continuing with this madness, and what’s wrong with our government, whom we as Irish people employ?
"It’s all about drawing attention. All over Ireland, there are anti-genocide groups. We just hope that they can join us along the way. “
Lelia has been bowled over by the response to her campaign.
“I’ve discovered just how much kindness there is out there. So many people have offered beds. Even though the weather is getting a bit better now, I’m not crazy about camping, so if people offer beds, that is always welcome. Luckily, I have a team who are looking after all that.”
She expressed her hopes for the journey, saying she wants to "persuade the government that the time has come to stop a civilian airport being used as a stopping off point for US military aircraft".
Lelia raised €9,015 for Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, through a skydive in Offaly back in 2024.
However, she said that this event, known as Walk for Peace, is purely for awareness.
“There is a fresh batch of young people who want to draw attention to the potential breaches in our neutrality and feel threatened by the government’s actions. I’m encouraging them all to join me on this walk."
Anyone who would like to join Lelia or offer support can email walkwithlelia@proton.me. Readers can also follow Lelia’s progress on Instagram: @walkwithlelia
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
