Heavy rain fails to dampen spirits of keen walkers
Heavy rains during the longest walk of the Wexford Walking Trail Festival didn’t dampen the spirits as the seven house Bunclody Horseshoe walk was completed.
In fact one of the participants taking part labelled the challenging walk ‘a piece of cake’. Conditions for the walk were made even more difficult because of the driving rain and wind but it only served to bolster the spirits of those taking part.
Catherine MacPartlin, one of the organisers said that ‘the ‘can do’ attitude and spirit of volunteerism were to the fore over the weekend and made the weekend a memorable one for all involved in the weekend walks’.
The festival began with a ramble around Enniscorthy guided by Aileen Lambert and Michael Fortune. This was followed by a welcome reception in Enniscorthy Castle’s Roche Room.
There was a great sense of occasion in the beautiful surroundings and the announcement that the Wexford Walking Trail network had been allocated €102,000 through a Recreation Grant was warmly greeted.
The money will be used to help fund the development and sustainability of the network.
Other events over the festival weekend included a thre walk on the Askamore St. Brigid’s Loop on the Saturday morning. Although it rained the walkers who arrived back in great form to a roaring fire, soup, sandwiches and a cup of tea were in good spirits. The refreshments were prepared by volunteers in the local Community Centre. This was followed by storytelling and banter by the fire.
The afternoon’s Bunclody Kilbrannish walk saw a different weather pattern, as the clouds parted, sun shone and a gentle warm breeze helped walkers along the way on the 90 minute walk.
Volunteers at the local St. Mary’s Day Care Centre provided transport to and from the walks and refreshments afterwards to the appreciative walkers.
The festival dinner in the Bunclody Golf Club was a great success, followed by set dancing by the Kilmyshall Set Dancing Group and music and singing. Although the days exertions were demanding, walkers showed no signs of flagging energy and were keen to enjoy the craic.
Emer Byrne, Kildavin, Dr. Liam Dunne, Bunclody, Paddy Byrne Askamore, Josephine Nugent, Tullow, John Nolan, Bunclody and Karen Cahill, Gorey were the lucky receipants of prizes donated by the Irish National Heritage Park, OPW and Courtown Ad- venture Centre.
The festival closed with a walk on the Enniscorthy River Slaney trail and this proved to be the highlight of the festival. Members of Wexford Walking Trail had done a great organising job and the Edermine Rowing Club capped off a great weekend by providing complimentary boating trips for everybody wishing to enjoy the fabulous amenity.
Catherine said: ‘Great thanks is due to all of the volunteers from Wexford Walking Trail; those who provided the greatly appreciated refreshments; Kilmyshall Set Dancing Club; Enniscorthy Rowing Club and Slaney Rescue Services whose involvement proved so enjoyable for participants of all ages and finally to Wexford County Council who sponsored the festival’.