Eamonn Keaveney is just days away from successfully walking around the entire coast of Ireland in his bare feet.
Last month the 23-year-old, who is raising funds for suicide prevention group Pieta House, broke an existing world record for the longest barefoot walk when he passed the 900 mile mark of his total 1,250 mile journey.
Read more: Combating suicide in New York Irish community with Pieta House
The determined adventurer, who kicked off his epic challenge his hometown of Claremorris, Co. Mayo back on May 1 is set to receive a hero's welcome and a huge homecoming party when he returns home on Friday.
But Keaveney won't be putting his bruised feet up for long, as he is already contemplating a mammoth 3,000 mile trek across the U.S.
"My main focus at the moment is finishing off this challenge and arriving back in Claremorris on Friday. This challenge has been very difficult and there were times earlier on in the walk, particularly around Connemara during the second week, when I didn't think I was going to make it,” he said.
"I was walking through hard terrain and my feet were destroyed, but I got through the pain barrier and started to pace myself better.
"Luckily, I've remained injury free throughout and I've received tremendous support from people along the way. I've found out during this challenge that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it, and it's certainly made me think of what I might do next.
"The challenge I'm thinking of doing next is walking across the United States in my bare feet. It would be very difficult and on a completely different scale, but it's something I'm considering for some stage in the future."
Keaveney, who has kept GPS records and log books of his walk, said it could take up to six months before Guinness chiefs officially verify his world record.
But more immediately he has called on the Irish public to dig deep to help him raise €20,000 ($22,000) for charity, as he walks through his home county on the final leg of his challenge.
He added: "When I set out on this my initial target was to raise €5,000, but we're now at around the €17,000 mark. It would be great to reach €20,000."
To follow Keaveney on the final leg of his challenge, check out Baring My Soles for Pieta House on Facebook.
Here's a short interview with Eamonn following his Irish walk:
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