Honouring a friend while supporting worthy causes
THOSE behind the “Annual Walk at the Bridge Bar” are looking to get the year started on a solid note – marking the memory of Rathmore’s Denis (Gary) O’Leary while supporting the Rathmore Social Action Group and the Irish Heart Foundation.
Made up of three separate walks, participants will gather at the Bridge Bar in Rathmore for registration from 11.30am to sign up for whichever route appeals most to them. The event has been going now for some 10 years, in which time it has raised funds for many causes, but on New Year’s Day it will also serve as an honour to Denis (Gary) O’Leary, a keen supporter of the walk who passed away on January 3, 2017.
“For anyone who wants to try the Clonkeen Church-Bridge Bar walk, buses will bring the walkers to their starting point in Clonkeen,” Denis Desmond said. “Denis (Gary) O’Leary was a big supporter of the walk, and he was among those to have supplied buses in years gone by. It was lovely to be joined by his wife Antoinette, his kids, and his nephew Ian recently at our launch.
“Anyone who wants to try the ‘Climb to the Paps’ can drive to Shrone after they’ve registered, and the family walk then will have people setting off from the Bridge Bar, going to Rathmore, and turning back for the Bridge Bar again.”
Registration for the events is €10, with free refreshments at the Bridge Bar afterwards and excellent prizes also up for grabs as part of the day’s raffle.
But events like these, particularly those that have been going for a number of years, can’t happen without considerable support, a point that Denis stressed when he spoke to The Kerryman.
“I’d like to thank our bus drivers,” he said. “I’d also like to acknowledge Sapphire Signs for their help. But really I’d like to thank every single person who has helped us in any way, big or small. We’re very grateful.”