Martin plans 400km walk to celebrate his 70th birthday
A WEXFORD man is about to embark on a 400km walking hike along the south east and southern coasts of Ireland to give something back to a country that he feels contributed enormously to his life.
Martin Ryan, who is originally from Enniscorthy but now lives at Creagh Hill, outside Gorey, is also undertaking the walk to mark his 70th birthday.
Instead of reaching for his slippers and embracing his recent retirement the active grandfather has opted instead for his hiking boots and a map.
Mr Ryan retired to his native county following a successful business career which took him all over the African continent. Speaking about the reason why he has decided to embark on his arduous trek he said it’s to give something back to a continent that was so good to him and his family.
The money he raises from his walk will support the work of Irish charity Self Help Africa which works with small farmers in sub-Saharan areas of the continent.
‘I lived and worked in Africa for more than 35 years and some of my children were born and brought up there,’ said Mr Ryan, when speaking about the walk to this newspaper.
Having left Enniscorthy in the early 1970s Mr Ryan worked at different times in rural development, agri-business and mining before setting up ATS (All Terrain Services) which was a successful full-service company providing catering and facilities management at mining sites across the continent.
A man of many talents his career took numerous twists and turns and he created his own little bit of history when he established one of Africa’s first authentic Irish bars in the form of Ryan’s Irish Pub in Accra, the capital of Ghana. It was also one of the few places on the continent that sold Guinness stout straight from the company’s brewery in St. James’ Gate, Dublin.
Recalling his time in the trade he said lots of pubs were selling Africa-made Guinness but few offered the genuine article.
‘It isn’t the same as Irish stout so we imported our own and sold it in the bar alongside popular brands like Tullamore Dew and Power’s Whiskey,’ he said. ‘It was a very popular spot.’
Mr Ryan, and his business partners, recently sold ATS to the Tsebo Group and the business now operates in over 20 African countries. Alongside its core activities the company implemented a wide range of rural and agricultural development work initiatives designed to support communities in areas where it has done business.
With regard to his desire to support Self Help Africa he said its agriculture based projects are similar to initiatives he was involved in albeit on a much bigger scale.
‘Self Help’s agriculture-based projects are very similar, if on a far greater scale, to the projects I was involved with,’ he said.
‘I know the importance of agriculture for poor rural communities in Africa and I have seen the real impact that the work of Self Help Africa has had on the ground,’ he said.
He hopes to raise €20,000 through his walk and he also sees this initial one as being the first leg of a potential hike around the entire Irish coast.
He will begin his walk in Courtown Harbour on Monday, June 18, and is hoping to complete around 40km each day with the aim of reaching his final destination in Kinsale, West Cork, 11 days later.
‘I’m avoiding the main roads and towns and am instead passing through dozens of smaller villages and communities,’ he said.
‘I’d be delighted if people would come out and join me for a stretch and better still if they would like to make a donation to the cause.’
To find out more about the walk or to sponsor Mr Ryan log onto www.altruism. ie or go to: https://bit.ly/2s16ROA